DiningBuzz! - Flatulence.....the main food suspects?

I'm having cabbage tonight and I just know I'll be in for an uncomfortable night of it.
I just steam it, add a knob of butter and shake some salt and pepper over it....lovely. Not sure there is any other way to cook it which might lessen the after effects of it. I like it so much I'm prepared to put up with the consequences....my innocent wife will as well.

Which foods are the worst for flatulence and do you tend to avoid them because of it?

Beer, especially when accompanied by a plate of fully loaded nachos!

I would never avoid such a thing...

Beer, especially when accompanied by a plate of fully loaded nachos!

I would never avoid such a thing...

I'm okay with beer however Champagne is another matter. :)

No question. Above and beyond everything else by a country mile; Jerusalem Artichokes (in the US I think they're known as Sunchokes).

So delicious though...

sulfur containing foods
dairy
beans
overly-spicy
no variety at the meal

A radish shake.....dont ever try!!

Seared/roasted Brussels sprouts
Stewed collard greens

'Tis a question which has preyed upon the greatest minds in history.


"To the Royal Academy of Farting

Benjamin Franklin, c. 1781" (http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?documentprint=470)

I've always found high carb food to be suspect. When I was eating low carb stuff, my fart output went almost to nil.

Fill me with Pizza Hut, marshmallows, and the like and it could get deadly. :)

It also depends a lot on the water you drink. If you use your local potable water - if it on the harder side - flatulence is noticeably more...

Take a couple of Digest Gold or some other over-the-counter product that has lots of digestive enzymes. They work really well for me.

It's different for each person, you could be affected by it and the person next to you by something totally different.

There are plenty of things you can take before the meal to help with the digestive process and some people report that just simple activated charcoal tablets work wonders for them (though don't use charcoal if you are taking any other medications)

"Beans, beans, the wonderful fruit,
The more you eat, the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you feel.
Let's have beans at every meal!"

I've wondered if there's a table of relative levels of wind generation among bean varieties, although method of preparation and time and temp of cooking alter the bases for comparison. I believe it to be demonstrable that dried beans are windier than fresh or frozen. "Soaked" beans seem to be windier than beans cooked long and slow without pre-soaking. Mexicans, especially those from Northern states, often add a local herb, "Epazote" to beans, partially to diminish gas production.

"Greens"?
I'll agree in the case of boiled or steamed cabbage and Brussels sprouts (to which fresh in any fashion other than boiled or steamed I'm addicted). Boiling/steaming seems hasten and increase the the organic process which hastens and increases the production of hydrogen sulfide in leafy vegetable with a noticeable sulfur content.

Personally, Cantaloupe and peanuts.

Quote: "overly-spicy"
Not that I've ever noticed in decades of addiction to foods which cause my forehead to sweat and my nose to run like the proverbial faucet....

Quote: "It also depends a lot on the water you drink. If you use your local potable water - if it on the harder side - flatulence is noticeably more..."
If I saw a PhD in Biochemistry, Food Science, etc. or evidence of your gastroenterology residency, I might find the statement more credible. Living in the land of "Hard" water, and having spent enough time in some of the parts of Texas where "Sulfurous" is an apt description of the local well water and its taste (and a few locales where the supply from the tap borders on "Gyppy"), I've never felt "hard" water to be much of a gas generator. Now, back in yesteryear, the minerals in the Mexican bottled water "Tehuacan" could generated a mild version of "Montezuma's Revenge" among tourists who thought that safety lay in bottled water and only the "Con gas" versions were provably safe from having been refilled from the tap in the alley. There was some gas propelling the eruptions....

"Beans, beans, the MUSICAL fruit,
The more you eat, the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you feel.
Let's have beans at every meal!"

worst 3:

cabbage
sprouts
beans

Well I had my cabbage and guess what....the night passed by very quietly. :confused:

I purposely steamed it longer than normal...well past the "al dente" stage so I wonder if that made the difference? It reminded me of the cabbage I used to have at the school dinner hall. :D

Very interesting and knowledgeable replies so far....thanks. ^

I recall that back in the 1980's David Wallechinsky wrote The Book of Lists.
At the top of the flatulence list was garbanzo beans.

"Beans, beans, the wonderful fruit,
The more you eat, the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you feel.
Let's have beans at every meal!"




We all must defer to the expert from TEXAS...

:D

HIDDY, if you must indulge in your beloved cabbage, perhaps this (http://www.flat-d.com/products.html)may be somewhat helpful.

Which foods are the worst for flatulence and do you tend to avoid them because of it?
I would never avoid such a thing...Agreed, I never avoid food(s) just because I might produce some gas.
Take a couple of Digest Gold or some other over-the-counter product that has lots of digestive enzymes. They work really well for me.anyone else have good experience when using this type of product? www.beanogas.com

Beano works pretty good but you have to take many pills. If you eat a whole can of refried beans you would need about 8 pills so it comes out to be expensive.

For myself and others I know who eat beans regularly, ~5+ times a week, there is no gas problem at all, no matter the type or quantity. Now, after I spend a few weeks in many parts of Asia which are essentially bean-free then the first serving or two upon return can cause a bit of gas.

A radish shake.....dont ever try!!

Why would you even want to? :eek:

Garlic that hasn't had the germ removed guarantees me a painful night. Taking out the germ removes the problem.

Garlic that hasn't had the germ removed guarantees me a painful night. Taking out the germ removes the problem.
I wonder if the inulin in garlic is concentrated in the epicotyl/germ. Does anybody know?

White Castle

Seared/roasted Brussels sprouts
Stewed collard greens

Oh my. Both of these do it to me. EVERY TIME.

Mel Brooks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDVrmSEZEKg) thought it was beans.

There is actually a medical school professor that studies flatus. This is your tax dollars in action!

Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2000 Oct;2(5):413-9.
An understanding of excessive intestinal gas.
Suarez FL, Levitt MD.
Source
Minneapolis VA Medical Center (151), 1 Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA.
Abstract
Complaints of "excessive gas" from patients are very common but are difficult, if not impossible, for the physician to document. This review addresses the pathophysiology and management of such complaints, looking at the sources and routes of elimination, excessive eructation, bloating, and distention. In addition, common flatulence problems are summarized
---------

Am J Gastroenterol. 1998 Nov;93(11):2276-81.
Evaluation of an extremely flatulent patient: case report and proposed diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Levitt MD, Furne J, Aeolus MR, Suarez FL.
Source
The Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minnesota 55417, USA.
Abstract
We recently encountered a patient with severe flatulence who previously had been subjected to innumerable diagnostic tests and ineffective therapies based on the belief that his rectal gas was produced in the colon. Analysis of three flatus samples demonstrated that nitrogen (N2) was the predominant flatus gas whereas the three gases produced in the gut (CO2, H2 [hydrogen], and CH4 [methane]) comprised <16% of rectal gas. This result plus a series of other diagnostic tests clearly indicated that the patient's flatus was derived almost entirely from swallowed air. Based on this case, the present report summarizes available data on excessive flatulence and suggests a rational approach to the patient complaining of this problem. Particular emphasis is placed upon a sequential strategy consisting of: 1) a count of flatus passages to determine if the subject truly is abnormal (normal: <20 passages/day); 2) an analysis of flatus to determine if the flatus originates from swallowed air (predominantly nitrogen) or intraluminal production (predominantly CO2, H2, and CH4); and 3) treatment based upon the origin of the rectal gas.

Its mostly in beans, cabbage, onions, cauliflower, broccoli, fluffy wheat products such as bread, apples, peaches, pears, prunes, corn, oats, potatoes, milk, ice cream, and soft cheese and foods that produce minimal gas include rice, bananas, citrus, grapes, hard cheese, meat, eggs, peanut butter, non-carbonated beverages, and yogurt made with live bacteria. Its also caused by laying down after eating because gas passes from stomach to intestine more readily in this position.

Increasingly for me anything dairy based down to sour cream and cream cheese. I need to admit to myself that I am becoming more and more lactose intolerant but I love the dairy foods too much.

Also, oddly, beef lo mein. That one I can't explain.

There isn't one food I eat that comes anywhere close to having the same effect as Metformin. If you're on this drug, welcome to hell

There isn't one food I eat that comes anywhere close to having the same effect as Metformin. If you're on this drug, welcome to hell

You seem to be right, and it's apparently quick-acting, at least the morning dose when one is up and moving about. The maker ought to publish a "side effects" warning! I'd like to have the chemical reaction/process explained. Shucks, maybe the "Green Energy" folks ought to begin test trials...

You seem to be right, and it's apparently quick-acting, at least the morning dose when one is up and moving about. The maker ought to publish a "side effects" warning! I'd like to have the chemical reaction/process explained. Shucks, maybe the "Green Energy" folks ought to begin test trials...

Here are some things you can do to reduce the gas:

1
Take the Metformin pill as directed by your health care provider. Generally, one pill is prescribed to be taken along with dinner. Swallow the pill whole. Do not chew or crush the pill, as this will alter the manner in which the medication is absorbed into your blood.

2
Eat small meals several times each day. Smaller-sized meals will prevent your stomach from becoming overloaded with food. When the stomach is filled to capacity, undigested food sits in the digestive system, expanding and creating gas.

3
Reduce the amount of fats and sugars in your diet. When large amounts of fat are ingested, digestion rates are slowed to prevent large amounts of fat from being released into the blood. Slower digestion rates lead to increased flatulence, as gas builds-up in empty spaces within the digestive system.

4
Avoid eating spicy foods. Spicy foods excite digestive acids, causing gas to be expelled throughout the digestive system.

5
Take a gas reducing supplement. Simethicone is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter gas relief medications. Ginger is a natural remedy that can help relieve nausea and gas buildup. Regulate digestion by adding a serving of yogurt or active probiotic supplements to your diet, to regulate the digestive process.

6
Consult your doctor, if the pressure and excessive flatulence continues. Your doctor may be able to alter your prescription to offer some relief.

It happens to anyone. The after-lunch joke usually around here in Aerospace is:

" ... I'm sorry,.... When did we add retro-rockets to the vehicle design ? "

A Chef's tip I will pass on to others: Dysphania Ambrosioides (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphania_ambrosioides)

Also, recommend is to watch that you don't 'gulp' air when eating and drinking.

Better to blast it out and bear the shame,
Than sneak it out and share the blame.

When you change the type of foods you eat, the bacteria in the intestinal tract changes. Some bacteria die off causing flatulence, and others are increased. ^:-::-::-:

Taking a PROBOTIC EVERY NIGHT WILL PROVIDE for healthy bacteria to aid in the digestion of foods to a more normal digestion with Immune System building properties. :D

Increasingly for me anything dairy based down to sour cream and cream cheese. I need to admit to myself that I am becoming more and more lactose intolerant but I love the dairy foods too much.

Have you tried taking lactase enzyme pills when eating dairy? They work for most, but not all, people with lactose intolerance. Fortunately for me, since I fear my life would not be worth living without butter, milk, and cream.

I just got back from a 3-week trip to Italy, land of cheese and gelato, for which I packed enough lactase to look like I was smuggling the stuff.

Charming topic, BTW.

Definitely it's about "air gulping" much of the time, and the V.A. study supports that - air is 78% nitrogen. But for some of the foods (raffinose-rich) that supply fodder for this, there is also "Beano" - the enzyme alpha-galactosidase. Trust me, it works, so I hear... or don't hear. ;)

For those who want to learn more, there is the University of Gas (http://www.beanogas.com/UofGas.aspx).
http://www.beanogas.com/images/UofGas.gif

I don't gulp air, and have it when my diet changes.
Yes, even beans will give you gas, if they are not prepared correctly.

I've enjoyed reading the feedback especially the scientific reasons given for causing such anti social behaviour.....epecially if you happen to be flying at the time.

I had steamed cauliflower the other night...again I allowed it to steam longer than normal and again I didn't have a windy night. So my tests seem to reveal that the more you cook vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower the less flatulence you get as a result. ^

A few pints of Guinness topped up with a takeaway pizza.

Guaranteed to disperse a crowd.

A fart can be quiet,
A fart can be loud,
Some leave a powerful,
Poisonous cloud.

A fart can be short,
Or a fart can be long,
Some farts have been known,
To sound just like a song.

Some farts do not smell,
While others are vile,
A fart may pass quickly,
Or linger awhile.

A fart can create
A most-curious medley,
A fart can be harmless,
Or silent, but deadly.

A fart can occur
In a number of places,
And leave everyone
With strange looks on their faces.

From wide-open prairies,
To small elevators,
A fart will find all of us
Sooner or later.

So be not afraid
Of the invisible gas,
For always remember,
That farts, too, shall pass.

Tromba di culo, sano do corpo.
Chi non scoreggia, mezzo morto.

Tromba di culo, sano do corpo.
Chi non scoreggia, mezzo morto.

I tried to translate that. Here is what I came up with:
"Trumpet in the ..., give body healthy.
Who does not fart, half dead.
:o

Over steaming and over cooking vegetables destroys the nutritional value - vitamins! :td:
Better not to eat them.
Rather then paying for expensive Beano, try Ginger or Ginger Capsules! :)

Green Peppers seems to get me fired up. I do avoid it everywhere I can...

The biggest culprit?

I'd have to go with "ANYTHING my dog eats"!

What does your dog think of all those places unfit for human beings in your profile?
:D

Tromba di culo, sano do corpo.
Chi non scoreggia, mezzo morto.

:D ^

What does your dog think of all those places unfit for human beings in your profile?
:D

Unfortunatley the dog doesn't go. :(

Sorry, I don't have a dog!
We will have to ask yours.

The biggest culprit?

I'd have to go with "ANYTHING my dog eats"!

LOL. Reminds me of the James Herriot story about a Great Dane he was called upon to treat. Nothing could abate the dog's odorus flatulence, so he was finally given to a man who could not smell. :D

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

spgchampion@starwoodhotels.com

I've often wondered if it has something to do with the cabin air pressure and humidity - just over the past year or two I've noticed I've become quite the gas ball after dinner and breakfast on longhaul overnight flights. After touchdown one good trip to the loo a couple hours later usually clears things out.

Doesn't seem to matter what foods I eat or avoid either...

The part I hate is going to the toilet, farting so loud I think the entire cabin must be hearing me, then sure enough, as soon as I get back to my seat and settle for a snooze, I'll be damned if I don't have to increase airspeed yet again!

So far have managed to avoid killing off the entire cabin, but it's always a worry! :p

You need to replace the healthy bacteria in your gut to help digestion.:o
YOu might need to change your diet to some healthier foods,
that those healthy bacteria can break down without the exhaust! :D

Don't be afraid to have some plain yogurt (without all the sugar) on a daily basis anytime, but especially at breakfast. ^
Use fresh fruit for flavoring! :p
Probiotics in capsules can be taken daily to keep the colon funstioning in a cleaner manner. Everybody would benefit from them including the other passengers. :D^

I've often wondered if it has something to do with the cabin air pressure and humidity - just over the past year or two I've noticed I've become quite the gas ball after dinner and breakfast on longhaul overnight flights. After touchdown one good trip to the loo a couple hours later usually clears things out.

Doesn't seem to matter what foods I eat or avoid either...


Decreased atmospheric pressure, any gases in the gut expand in volume accordingly.

It has to go somewhere...

Apparently the first thing to indicate a return to consciousness after a general anasthetic is an episode of flatus. According to the article I read, staff in the post-op recovery area have well attuned nostrils as they are looking out for this!

Returning to the theme, I never understood BA's decision to serve a lentil salad as the starter on an overnight flight to the Far East...

Green veggies like brussel sprouts do it to me. And soy products as well, particularly soy milk. It degasses, as you can see by the carton in the fridge swelling up. It continues to degas after you drink it!

And altitude..I get gassy on long haul high altitude flights.