Choosing the Best Non-Gassy Foods

As a general rule of thumb, gassy foods are those that contain certain types of carbohydrates, soluble fiber, or both. These substances are not fully absorbed in the small intestine and instead make their way down to the large intestine where they are set upon by gut bacteria. The by-product of this process is gas.

In order to avoid gas, try to eat foods that are just the opposite. These other foods will not be broken down by intestinal bacteria so you should be safe.

Our bodies are well adapted to digesting protein. Sources of protein that come from animals contain no carbohydrates that can be fermented by that pesky gut bacteria. Because of this, choosing to eat any of these foods is a safe bet when you want to avoid embarrassing gas or uncomfortable bloat.

Glazes and gravy may contain added sugar, garlic, or onions, all of which can produce gas, so be sure to eat these items plain:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Eggs
• Fish
• Turkey

If you choose not to eat animal products, there are plenty of other foods for you to enjoy.

There are plenty of vegetables that are low enough in carbohydrates so they are not likely to contribute to intestinal fermentation.

These are all good for you, so feel free to pile them onto your plate. You might even consider making a simple salad out of them and turning that into your big meal.

• Bell peppers
• Bok choy
• Cucumber
• Fennel
• Greens, such as kale or spinach
• Green beans
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini 

You will find that a number of fruits have a reputation for producing less gas. However, it's a good idea to eat them in moderation.

There is a limit to how much fruit-based carbohydrates your body can absorb at any given time. The more fruits you eat—even of these less gassy options—the higher your chances are of experiencing unwanted gas from these fruits:

• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Clementine
• Grapes
• Honeydew
• Kiwi
• Pineapple
• Raspberries
• Strawberries

The bacteria which is naturally found in fermented foods like yogurt has already taken care of the carbohydrates your gut would otherwise have to ferment. This frees your intestines from having to do all that work, which lowers the chance of gas.

You may be surprised to learn that there are certain carbohydrates in wheat products that can contribute to gas. Because of this, the following choices are better options for the times when you just do not want to deal with gas.

• Gluten-free bread
• Rice bread
• Oats
• Rice, brown or white
• Quinoa

Along with the non-gassy vegetables and fruits, there are other good snack choices you can enjoy for a quick bite.

Among those are nuts, but not every nut is reliable. Try to limit yourself to macadamia, pecans, and walnuts. You're also going to be pretty safe if you nibble on some cheese. For this, stick with cheddar, mozzarella, or swiss.

Unfortunately, as you can see, the safe food list is a little limited. That makes it less than ideal as a daily meal plan, so these suggestions should be used only on occasion when it's most important to be gas-free. 

If you tend to deal with intestinal gas and bloating on a regular basis, you may want to look into the low FODMAPs diet. It has scientific backing for identifying foods that contribute to these specific problems.