Embarassing topic- gas

OK, I feel embarassed, but my vegetarian diet is usually pretty high in fiber.  Unfortunately, I get gas.  Gas-X and the like don't seem to work.  Any suggestions?

I hope someone has some suggestions... I am in the same boat as you and for the last 2 months!!!  I take gas-x or whatever from walmart nothing works.  I get lots of fiber too, but also lots of beans.  I think its just something us veggies might have to live with???

Try beano on your food.  It doesn't have a taste and does cut the gas down.  When I was vegetarian, it seemed to work really good for me - especially with brocolli.

Toot TOOT TOO GOES THE VEGGIE. I just suggest let it go. You dont want those toxins still in ya do ya? If you dont want to claim it just toot and blame it on your friend ;) Sorry I dont have any good suggestions, I just fart lol

Beano comes in tablets too.  You may find that increasing fiber will help, especially if you drink plenty of water.  After a while your digestive tract adjusts to the higher fiber and you'll feel better.

Well, I use lactose free probiotics.  It really gets your bowels to function properly and to enhance absorption of nutrients.  No gas either or any other problems such as diarrhea.  I started taking them on the advice of a doctor when I was on high doses of antibiotics because of pneumonia.  Runs havoc with your bowels.

Many people I know take it with excellent results and no side effects.  Just put it in Google and you should get lots of info on it.  There are different kinds, the one I take is made in Quebec "Adrien Gagnon".

I'm not on a veggie diet... (I eat chicken and turkey occasionally... but no red meat). however... I eat an extreme amount of fruit. lol I love fruit. But... I have been getting a lot more gas than usual as well! :-X haha but yeah... A LOT more than I used to before I started eating healthy a few months back. I also get plenty and plenty of fiber. I make sure of that... I've just been trying to deal w/ this little *problem*. lol

Clairelane is right, usually if you wait a couple of weeks for your digestive tract to adjust, you will find that your tendency to get gas will diminish. 


Both Beano (a mold extract) and a probiotic supplement will help.  If you're not into taking pills and you are going the lactovegetarian route, try Dannon Activia brand yogurt. 


Alternatively, an herbal remedy I've heard of is to chew 1/2 a teaspoon of fennel seeds right after a meal - not only are they supposed to curb gas, but the licorice flavor will freshen your breath as well.  (If you've ever gone to an Indian restaurant and wondered what that stuff in the mint bowl was... :) )


I've tried fennel seeds a few times unsuccessfully, but I never tried chewing them *before* the meal (which makes more sense to me really), and by the time I was remembering to do it on a semi-regular basis I had already stopped having a gas problem. 

i think you just have to understand that your body is functioning properly and be okay with it. i am lucky in that i've been a veggie for 10 years and i have an amazingly supportive [and veggie] family. my boyfriend who eats meat is just as gassy though. but i can attest---- fruit is the worst. i work out now a lot too and i've noticed the gas comes on just as soon as i start working out. it's settled a bit but the moving around does release some "vapors." i don't think it ever really goes away. i can vouch for this seeing as how i have been meat-free for as long as i have. i just thank goodness i am living a more balanced, morally and nutritionally sound existence. :) GOOD LUCK!

There's an old Italian remedy - fennel seed tea.  You just brew the seeds in hot water and sweeten it.  It's given to babies with colic.  I'd forgotten all about it until ekolmus mentioned fennel seeds.

Thanks to all who responded.  I've been trying to eat less fiber.  Unfortunately, for all who suggested just living with it, this is just not feasible.  I've been a vegetarian fore 12 years now, and I still get really bad gas.  It's so bad that it's utterly painful and I'm totally bloated.  I wish I could let it out (!) but I don't think my cube neighbors would appreciate it.  Luckily my husband is more understanding. :)

I don't think everyone realized how long you've been a vegetarian for. It's very common for new vegetarians for the first three months to experience digestive changes as their bodies get used to vegetables that take less time to digest than meat, and also realase a lot of the toxins that they've picked up from processed foods that are more prevelant in meat diets than in vegetarian diets.

If I thougt someone was in those first few months I would have also suggested waiting it out. But that is obvioulsy in this case not the issue.

If you have been a vegetarian for 12 years and you're still getting really bad gas, it could by that you have a mild food intolerance to something you are eating. The one that give the most gas, and really painful cramps is dairy.... is it possible that you are lactose intolerant (just slightly)? If you're wondering if you can become lactose intollerant if you weren't before that is a definate possibility, women often become lactose intollerant, at puberty, early twenties, thirties, or after a pregnancy.... all stages where your body is changing.

My partner noticed once he hit 30 that spicy food started to give him gas as well, and he's had to cut back on the really spicy indian and ethiopian foods he likes.

i think that if you're still eating dairy and eggs, common gas-givers, you might consider limiting those food choices to some degree. painful gas could also be due to a gastro-internal problem, in which case, it's always good to see your family physician and ask him about it. i think i can live with my gas issues because i am used to it and it's not painful or offensive [just loud at times, lol] so that's why i suggested living with it. now that you explain more about the issue, i'd definitely limit gas-causing foods and talking to a Doc.

I became vege three years ago. I used to fart like race horse. Just horrible:  both silent and deadly or loud enough for the USS Constitution to sail in with.  I started with beano but I usually forgot where I put it or to take it in time.

Now, I eat veges that don't sound off the alarms but add in small amounts of the gas causers.  I don't know enough about the whole system but below are the veges that I tend to eat or avoid/reduce.  Maybe the flatulance causers are different for different people.  Try sticking to all the ones you know are safe but add a 1/4 of a serving of a gas causer.

No gas veges:

carrots, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower

Gas veges:

eggplant, squash, bell pepper, cabbage

For Flatulence (excessive gas) try: Mix (?) drops of grapefruit seed extract in 1-cup water or juice 3 times daily, before or after meals.

Ah come'on everyone loves the ol' "dutch oven" bit.  Since I started eating healthier, I noticed I am alot more gasy.  I just live with it, or at least my girlfriend does hehe.  Poor girl, I should buy her some nose plugs.  

Welcome newveggie. 

I'm a firm believer in natural solutions.  Everyones body is different. I too have had my problems with gas.  What I am learning to do is pay attention to the foods which produce the most gas in my body.  I reduce my consumption of them and try alternatives.  There are many choices.  Just listen to your body. 

Don't give up.  Enjoy the Adventure.  Good Luck to you.

PEACE

Anola Gail 

Grow a mint plant!! Seriously, I know it sounds silly, but it's veru common for middle eastern and indian cultures to eat mint following thier meals, for this very reason. I'm not on a veggie diet, but I do try and eat all veggie meals a couple of times a week. I had the same problem until I was looking in an Egytian cookbook that mentioned uses of mint. I tried eating a few sprigs after a meal and it did the trick.

I try to look at my flatulance in a possitive light........it means my diet is working........LOL!!! Thanks goodness my family is in the same boat. Hubby says "The family that farts together is forced to stay together!!"

Beans beans, the musical fruit..........

Agree with mint suggestion. I have mint tea after every meal.   Also recommend a "candida cleanse" diet every 3 months or so. Candida (yeast) builds in your intestines and causes that problem. Google it and you'll see.

This forum is HYSTERICAL!!!  This should be called the gas room.  Excuse me, there my butt goes again!  Whew...  Anyway-I too have been a veg head for 9 years and still have a gas "problem".  I don't like taking pills and stuff so I just deal with it.  I laugh so hard everyday I leave work knowing my poor car is about to get it!  luckily I live alone and the dog could care less.  Good luck stinky butts!

hahaha I've never had a gas problem because of being veg. lol

the longer you are a veg. the more your body gets used to the added fiber.... at least that's what i've noticed. :)