As the seasons change and the weather becomes colder, our diets
(both food and beverages) will usually change, as well. As we turn to
those richer “comfort foods,” some may experience side effects such as
stomach pains, bloating and excessive gas.
 While we all experience flatulence, we can keep it under control, without completely giving up our favorite meals and drinks.  |
Noted gastroenterologist and assistant professor at the Eastern
Virginia Medical School, Patricia Raymond, M.D., says that, “While we all experience flatulence, we can keep it under control, without
completely giving up our favorite meals and drinks.”
Dr. Raymond offers these simple tips to help you manage your gas with the change in not only the weather, but also your diet:
- Keep a gas diary: If gas has become more than just an occasional nuisance, try to determine if your gas is related to a particular food by noting the volume of gas within six hours of your last meal. It takes about a full six hours for portions of a meal to be released as gas, so if you have a particularly gassy sensation, it might not be that snack you just ate, but the meal you had earlier in the day. If you find that you are gassy, note all items in your last several meals to crosscheck against other meal periods where you experience gas.
- Certain foods in moderation: Certain foods have a higher propensity to produce gas,
since they are poorly absorbed by the body. They include beans (watch
out for that in that special batch of chili you cook up to enjoy during
Sunday football), cabbage, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus and
corn; fruits, including pears, apples, prunes and peaches; whole grain
products and oats; milk, ice cream and cheese; and carbonated drinks,
fruit juices and alcohol.
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