It’s never fun being bloated and 15-30% of our population deals with bloating to some degree. That’s a lot of puffy stomachs!
Although bloating can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, it’s usually caused by our diet.
We all know that there are a few foods out there that cause serious bloating. For instance, if we insist on eating that bean burrito or big bowl of salty ramen noodles, our stomachs are going to pay the price.
Unfortunately, the obvious foods aren’t always the culprit. There are a few common foods that can cause serious bloating issues that might surprise you.
Here are 5 foods that you may want to avoid if you deal with bloating:
1. Dairy Products
Dairy is a staple in the American diet and includes milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and cream.
Believe it or not, over 75% of people are unable to process lactose and have a condition called lactose intolerance.
So, if you’re one of the many people who are lactose intolerant, you may experience severe digestive problems including gas, cramping, and, bloating.
If you notice digestive problems when you eat dairy, you may need to eliminate dairy from your diet. Sorry pizza lovers!
2. Black Coffee
If you’re lactose intolerant, you’re obviously going to avoid adding milk or cream to your coffee.
But, many people don’t realize that plain black coffee can trigger bloating problems as well.
If you have a sensitive stomach, coffee can cause quite a bit of irritation and swelling due to its high acidic levels.
If you notice bloating after drinking your morning cup of Joe, you just might need to switch to a less acidic drink like green tea.
3. Carbonated Drinks
Another common cause of bloating are carbonated drinks.
Sorry La Croix addicts!
The main problem with carbonated beverages is that these drinks contain high amounts of carbon dioxide, which is a gas.
When you consume a carbonated drink, you swallow a large amount of gas. Oftentimes, this gas becomes trapped in your digestive system and can cause cramping and uncomfortable bloating.
If carbonated beverages are a problem, you may need to substitute with flat water.
4. Popcorn
Popcorn is a very popular snack for Americans. However, those tasty kernels of corn may contribute to a very full feeling and eventually bloating.
The main problem with popcorn is that it is that most people overeat the snack. One serving equals about 3 or 4 cups which is the equivalent of 3 – 4 tennis balls. And that amount of food is going to take up a lot more space in your stomach.
5. Beer
You’re certainly familiar with the “beer belly” phenomenon.
Not only does a beer belly refer to extra belly fat, but also the bloating associated with drinking beer.
Although carbonation is the main culprit, the fermentable carbs like barley, wheat, maize, and rice can cause bloating problems as well.
If you want to avoid that beer belly, you’re probably going to need to cut out the beer.
Final Thoughts
If you want to eliminate irritating and painful bloating, you may need to experiment with avoiding certain foods that are known to contribute to bloating issues.
It may take some time but will certainly be worth the effort. Over time, your stomach will thank you.
