David Samadi, MD - Blog | Prostate Health, Prostate Cancer & Generic Health Articles by Dr. David Samadi - SamadiMD.com|

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10 foods that make you bloated

1.     Watermelon. Contains a high amount of fructose. Many people can't fully absorb fructose, which leads to bloating, gas, and sometimes diarrhea.

2.     Artificial sweeteners. Sweeteners like sorbitol and xylitol absorb very slowly in the small intestine. This can cause gas, bloating, cramping, and sometimes diarrhea.

3.     Muesli bars. A healthy snack bar which include protein isolate. This is derived from soybeans, which causes gas. Look for foods that do not have soy-derived ingredients.

4.     Yogurt. Yogurt contains dairy, which has certain levels of lactose which gets fermented in your body and makes you bloat. Aim for plain Greek yogurt and avoid nonfat and low-fat yogurts as these often have more sugar which will make you feel gassy and bloated.

5.     Grains. Grains like wheat and rye have non-digestible fructan. If you have a gluten intolerance, eating these grains causes an immune reaction which destroys the lining of the small intestine and leads to gas, bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation.

6.     Beans. Filled with starch which makes you gassy and bloated. Try soaking the dried beans overnight. Hydrating them will break down some of the starch.

7.     Onions. Onions contain a carb called fructan, which is poorly absorbed and causes increased water content in the intestine.

8.  Dairy products: If you have trouble digesting lactose, this can lead to intestinal distress and bloating.

9.     Gum. Sugarless chewing gum often contains sorbitol, a sugar alcohol which causes digestive distress. Look for sorbitol-free gum.

10.  Vegetables. Veggies like brussels sprouts and broccoli all have a carbohydrate called raffinose. Because we don't make the enzyme needed to break down raffinose, it passes through the small intestine undigested. And when food enters the large intestine without being broken down first, it gets fermented by bacteria. This results in gas and bloating. Try roasting them instead.