14 Common Foods That Cause Gas

By Ghuman

Introduction

Gas is a normal part of digestion, but some foods can cause more gas than others. If you’re looking to reduce the amount of gas you experience after eating, it’s important to know which foods are most likely to cause it. This article will discuss 14 common foods that are known to cause gas. We’ll look at why they cause gas, how to reduce the amount of gas they cause, and some alternatives to these foods. By understanding which foods are most likely to cause gas, you can make better dietary choices and reduce the amount of gas you experience.

14 Common Foods That Cause Gas

Gas is a normal part of digestion, but some foods can cause more gas than others. Here are 14 common foods that can cause gas.

Beans

Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, but they can also cause gas. This is because they contain a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides, which the body can’t digest. To reduce gas, try soaking and rinsing beans before cooking them.

Dairy Products

Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, contain lactose, a type of sugar that can be difficult for some people to digest. If you’re lactose intolerant, you may experience gas after eating dairy products.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, contain a type of carbohydrate called raffinose. This type of carbohydrate is difficult for the body to digest, which can lead to gas.

Fructose

Fructose is a type of sugar found in many fruits, vegetables, and processed foods. If you have difficulty digesting fructose, you may experience gas after eating foods that contain it.

Sorbitol

Sorbitol is a type of sugar alcohol found in many sugar-free and low-sugar foods. It can be difficult for the body to digest, which can lead to gas.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, can cause gas in some people. If you experience gas after eating foods with artificial sweeteners, try avoiding them.

Whole Grains

Whole grains, such as oats, barley, and wheat, contain a type of carbohydrate called fiber. Fiber is important for digestion, but it can also cause gas. To reduce gas, try eating smaller portions of whole grains.

Onions

Onions contain a type of carbohydrate called fructans, which can be difficult for the body to digest. Eating too many onions can lead to gas.

Garlic

Garlic contains a type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides, which can be difficult for the body to digest. Eating too much garlic can lead to gas.

Apples

Apples contain a type of sugar called fructose, which can be difficult for some people to digest. Eating too many apples can lead to gas.

Prunes

Prunes contain a type of sugar called sorbitol, which can be difficult for the body to digest. Eating too many prunes can lead to gas.

Raisins

Raisins contain a type of sugar called fructose, which can be difficult for some people to digest. Eating too many raisins can lead to gas.

Sugar-Free Gum

Sugar-free gum contains a type of sugar alcohol called sorbitol, which can be difficult for the body to digest. Chewing too much sugar-free gum can lead to gas.

Processed Foods

Processed foods often contain additives and preservatives that can be difficult for the body to digest. Eating too many processed foods can lead to gas.

It’s safe to say that most people grew up hearing this song on the playground: “Beans, beans: They’re good for your heart! The more you eat, the more you,” well, you know the rest! And be honest—you’ve always thought twice before digging into a bean-heavy meal because of that song, no? Well, here’s the thing: if you still can’t control your tooting but aren’t sure of the culprit, beans are just one of many foods that cause gas most likely in your diet.

Read on to find out which items to avoid, as well as how to alleviate this rather annoying symptom so that you can continue to enjoy those foods you just can’t quit. Plus, don’t miss Eating Habits to Lose Abdominal Fat As You Age, Say Dietitians.

candy on desk
Shutterstock

Sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, mannitol, isomalt, and xylitol are found in some sugar-free candies and gums and cause gas. “Check the label on sugar-free foods,” says Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD. “Instead, go with stevia, maple syrup, or raw sugar as sweeteners.”

cereal bars
Shutterstock

Inulin and chicory root are supplemental fibers that are often added to high-fiber foods like fiber snack bars and fiber cereals. “They are especially notorious for causing gas and bloating. Read your labels and steer clear of these additives to avoid gas,” recommends McMordie.

milk cheese blue background
Shutterstock

About 25% of the US population and 75% of the world population eventually lose some or all of their ability to break down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products.

“Lactose intolerance is when the body is unable to breakdown lactose, and the side effects include diarrhea, congestion, gas and bloating,” says Sarah Greenfield, registered dietitian, and expert in digestive health and sports nutrition. “If you’re worried about calcium, fear not; foods like barley, butternut squash, chickpeas, and collard greens are all high in it. And some people can also tolerate dairy foods with lower levels of lactose like yogurts, ricotta, cottage cheese, Parmesan, Swiss, and cheddar cheese.”

Cruciferous vegetables broccoli cauliflower on wooden cutting board
Shutterstock

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale are all delicious (and easy to prepare!), so they make great sides or bases in recipes. And with their high fiber and high nutrient content, they’re a great source of nutrition. But since they are high in fiber, this can naturally lead to gas and bloat, if you have a hearty amount of the food.

“Cruciferous vegetables take a longer amount of time to move through the digestive tract, giving them longer exposure to our gut bacteria,” says Greenfield. “The bacteria begin to ferment the fiber and produces gas. A great way to decrease the effects of this is to drink a lot of water and to take a digestive enzyme prior to eating.”

cookies
Shutterstock

Highly processed foods with large amounts of sugar can increase the production of flatulence. “Sugar feeds the bacteria in our intestines, which causes fermentation, a process where sugar is turned into gas,” explains Greenfield. “Decreasing the amount of processed sugar can help decrease gas and bloating.”

Mozzarella sticks
Shutterstock

Sometimes, that discomfort that feels like gas is actually the feeling of being too “full.” And high-fat foods tend to take longer to digest, resulting in a decrease in the stomach’s ability to empty.

“Just like a balloon full of water, this distension sends a message to the brain that translates into ‘fullness,’” says Dr. Rupa Sharma, gastroenterologist with a special focus on nutrition. “Just like every part of the body, the GI tract has nerves and these send messages to the brain and are involved with many symptoms including hunger, pain, and—of course—gas.”

Door handle open to toilet can see toilet
Shutterstock

If an ice-cold beer is your way of relaxing after a long day, you might want to find a new vice. Beer releases carbon dioxide gas and that builds up in your gut—and is then released in the form of some foul-smelling flatulence. And it’s not just beer; other alcohols and fermented and pickled foods can cause bloating, cramps, and excess gas because of yeast overgrowth. Simply put: Too much yeast in our intestines equals too much gas.

Looking for more helpful tips? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

meatloaf slices on cutting board
Shutterstock

Protein sits in your stomach for a longer period of time, which causes sugars and bacteria to build up. This leads to bloating and gas, but you don’t have to give up your BBQ fix just yet. Some ways to lessen the farting effect is to chew your food very well and consume red meat in smaller portions.

soda
Shutterstock

For some, the carbonation in drinks like soda goes right to their intestines, blowing ’em up like a balloon. The acid and fructose found in these drinks are the culprit—so if you have this problem, switch to natural, non-fizzy drinks like plain iced tea.

Bread border on dark wood
Shutterstock

“Many people have gluten sensitivities that they’re unaware of because so many foods have wheat as filler,” explains Dr. Natasha Sandy, celebrity dermatologist, and wellness expert. If you find that you’re gassy and bloated after eating foods made with wheat, you may want to try cutting down on how much gluten you consume.

Oat Bran
Shutterstock

Oats should be a staple of your diet—but your intestines may not agree. If you’re tooting after them, reduce the amount you eat per serving to still get in the good fiber but lessen the pain.

paleo nuts
Shutterstock

Sure, nuts are a great and versatile snack because they’re high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. But unfortunately, they claim a spot on our list of foods that cause gas because they are not easily digested. If there was one type of nut to question first, we recommend staying away from cashews, as they are considered one of the biggest culprits.

Canned black beans
Shutterstock

Beans are a great and versatile food—they’re high in protein, high fiber, antioxidants, and are relatively inexpensive if you’re on a budget. Plus, their shelf life goes a long way. But the fear of eating beans because they’ll give you gas is valid.

“Beans have specific types of sugar that we don’t have enzymes for,” says Dr. Daryl Gioffre, certified raw food chef, and alkaline diet expert. “When the beans get to the colon, the bacteria in the colon begins to ferment these sugars, producing gas in the process.” To overcome this issue, make sure to chew your beans very well because digestion starts in the mouth. Lean toward smaller beans like lentils and avoid sugary and dairy foods with your beans.

Fruit salad
Shutterstock

Yes, fruit for dessert seems like a great way to curb your after-hours sweet tooth without the extra fat, calories, and everything else. But you may want to reconsider enjoying it at the end of your meals.

“Eating fruit for dessert will literally sit on top of whatever else is in your stomach—especially a slow-digesting protein like a steak—and begin to ferment, which is the true cause of gas and bloating,” explains Dr. Gioffre. If you must have fruit, try to stick to fruits like lemons, limes, grapefruit, avocados, pomegranates, watermelon, and tomatoes because they have low sugar and are high in minerals.