What can i do about bloating and gas? | members only

_WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT A GASSY STOMACH? IT’S SO EMBARRASSING._ People are quick to come to my office and say, “I want a cure for my bloating, gas and burping.” I usually answer: “Besides going

over what and how you’re eating, let’s talk about your lifestyle before I prescribe medication.” A lot of folks don’t realize the food we eat generates the gas we make. So, the first thing

to look at is your diet. If your gassy tummy isn’t caused by an underlying health issue such as colitis, diverticulitis or ulcers, it can usually be treated with diet and lifestyle changes,

or over-the-counter medications. Let’s look at the most likely culprit. While high-fiber foods like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus and fruits such as prunes, grapes and apples — as well as

beans and bran — are good for us, they can cause stomach gas. You might want to avoid high-fiber foods for a couple of weeks and see what happens. If your condition improves, gradually try

adding them back one at a time. If you notice you’re feeling gassy after eating ice cream, milk, butter or cheese, you’ll want to opt for lactose-free products or just eat less dairy. A

blood test can confirm if you’re lactose intolerant.                 It makes sense that carbonated beverages may cause tummy discomfort and belching, but did you know that sugar substitutes

can cause gas and bloating? That’s because some sugar substitutes take longer to break down and aren’t always fully absorbed by the body and can lead to an imbalance in our gut microbiome.

Fried foods aren’t good for our health, either, for several reasons. They increase our risk for certain conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity — and since fried foods

contain a high amount of fat, they slow down digestion, which contributes to bloating and gas. When patients tell me they’re struggling with a gassy tummy but they’re having a tough time

changing their eating habits, I’d rather send them to see a nutritionist for guidance than to the pharmacy for medication. A nutritionist can suggest small changes in eating habits that may

make big improvements in your digestive health.