7 Foods That Cause Bloating
There are certain foods that, in spite of being healthy, make us feel extremely full, uncomfortable and sometimes even gassy. Being unaware of their belly-bloating act, we may eat them in large quantities. We list down a few culprits.
Cabbage and broccoli
We are sure you didn’t know about this? Have you ever felt over full after having these veggies? Observe yourself closely the next time you eat cabbage or broccoli. Through both the vegetables pack good amount of nutrients; they do have unpleasant side effects. Cabbage is low cal and is an excellent source of vitamin K and vitamin C. It is also a very good source of fibre, manganese and folate. Broccoli is also high in vitamin C and is a rich source of a variety of biochemicals that are known to fight cancer.
An apple a day does keep the doctor away, but only when consumed along with other foods. Apples are tasty, healthy and nutrient rich and high in fibre but are not always entirely digested in the gut. When apples are not completely broken down, the fruit sugars and fibres ferment. This leads to production of gases like hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. So in order to reap the benefits of the fruit, eat slowly and drink a glass of herbal tea before eating an apple. This will calm the digestive system and decrease bloating.
Have you ever wondered why isn’t the beans family a popular part of staple food. Bloating is the sole reason for it. Beans and other legumes produce flatulence (intestinal gas) as a side effect. The cause of this gas is a class of carbohydrates called alpha-galacto-oligosaccharide. Though they provide us with fiber, protein and antioxidants but they also make us feel gassy. To prevent bloating, cook the beans at boiling temperature for at least ten minutes to remove the toxin from the bean. Discard this water and use fresh water for cooking instead.
Salt tops the list of foods that cause bloating. When you add more than required salt to your food or often feast on highly processed foods, the salt content in it makes you retain more water and you end up looking puffy due to excessive salt. So use salt sparingly and try out recipes that require less of salt.
Bloating, burping and passing gas are natural and are usually caused by swallowed air or the breakdown of food through digestion. When you chew gum or suck on hard candies, you swallow more air, which increases the risk of bloating. Try drinking water to keep your mouth moist or eat some seeds or nuts. This will mimic the effect of gum and at the same time keep your mouth occupied.
Carbonated drinks contain carbon dioxide gas, hence they make us feel large and fuller. If consumed frequently, the bubbles released by carbon dioxide also cause gas that makes us bloat and burp. So enjoy them in moderation and take smaller sips over a longer period of time.
We all know that fried foods are high in calorie and may lead to weight gain if not consumed in controlled portions. Due to its high fat content, they are harder to digest; the more time the food takes to digest, the more the gas formation. Moreover, if you fried dish has an unhealthy proportion on salt in it, it is certain that you will see your tummy bloated!
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