How to Avoid Gas and Bloating - Toilet Talk

Medical Disclaimer:
The content in this video is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In this video, the first of Registered Dietitian Abbey Sharp's "Toilet Talk" mini-series, Abbey discusses how to avoid gas and bloating by simply staying away from certain types of foods and beverages.

Over the years Abbey has been asked a lot of questions regarding the subject of gas and bloating. For many people it seems to be a random occurrence that they have no control over, or so they think. Abbey reads a question from an anonymous user that asks what foods to avoid when going on a date.

This is an especially relevant question when the date ends up with the two of you back at your house. As you can imagine gas and bloating would be pretty undesirable in that scenario.

Abbey's first recommendation is to avoid fizzy beverages. That includes things like champagne, beer, and soda. Generally, if it's carbonated you'll want to skip it. Also don't make the mistake of drinking out of a straw. All that carbonation actually builds up as gas in your stomach, and drinking out of a straw involves you literally gulping in air. The bottom line is, all the gas and air has to go out one end or the other.

The next crucial consideration will be your meal. Steer clear of heavy, fatty fare. Things like rich sauces, fatty cuts of meat, and cheesy casseroles. Foods like this delay stomach emptying which has the immediate effect of causing you to feel bloated and full. Also, when considering sides avoid vegetables that are notoriously gassy. Some great examples of these are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. If you simply cannot go without that broccoli then be sure it's well cooked. That's going to make it a lot easier for your body to digest.

Moving on to dessert, and be honest, you know you're going to want to eat dessert. Abbey says it would be best to stay away from high fructose fruits. Some good examples of these are apples, pears, and peaches. There are many good alternatives to these fruits. Bananas, berries, and Kiwi fruit are all much easier to digest and aren't going to contribute to a gas and bloating problem during your date. Also, for those of you that may be lactose intolerant, or even just not quite sure if you are or aren't, avoid a dairy based dessert altogether just to be on the safe side.

Abbey's last tip for your date is to avoid freshening your breath on the way back to your place with a sugar free mint or piece of chewing gum. Not only does chewing and sucking cause you to swallow air many sugar free items are sweetened with sugar alcohol, which has been shown to create gas and bloating in some people.

For more tips on staying healthy, recipes, and information fit for consumption by foodies everywhere stop by Abbey’s blog, and by all means don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel.

Abbey's Kitchen - Official Blog
abbeyskitchen.com/

00:01 How to Avoid Gas and Bloating - Toilet Talk video begins
00:35 How to Avoid Gas and Bloating question posed
00:59 Staying away from carbonated beverages and straws
01:12 Avoid heavy fatty fare for dinner to avoid Gas and Bloating
01:28 Rich sauces, cheesy casseroles, and fatty cuts of meat
01:49 Foods like these delay stomach emptying and lead to bloating
02:11 Stray from notoriously gassy vegetables on the side
02:16 When ordering dessert avoid fruits high in fructose
02:28 On the way home skip the sugar-free mint
02:50 How to Avoid Gas and Bloating - Toilet Talk wrap up
02:55 How to Avoid Gas and Bloating - Toilet Talk end