Bloating! What's a Girl to Do?

[kkshedevil]

Two words: food intolerance.

I have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

I had terrible problems with bloating a few years back. Through trial and error, I've been able to get it pretty much under control.

Like you guys, I would have a flat stomach in the morning, but not be able to close my pants by the end of the day. And horrible, terrible cramps.

The first problem I identified was lactose intolerance. Getting rid of dairy helped for awhile, but then my symptoms got worse.

I visited some IBS boards and got some good pointers. I figured out, at the time, that fiber of any sort was a big time irritant. I was amazed at how much the bloating improved when I stopped eating foods with very much fiber in them.

Recently, I realized it might be fructose, more than fiber, that's the problem. Here's a link to more info about that:

http://www.uihc.uiowa.edu/FRUCTOSE/WhatisDFI.htm

I'm also soy intolerant.

I eat a little fruit & veggies here and there -- a few dates in my cereal, a slice of tomato on a sandwich, etc.

I also use butter more often than oil for cooking, etc. I didn't know why that was easier on my stomach, but then I read that it has medium chain triglycerides, which are more easily digested than long chain triglycerides in vegetable oils. I use coconut oil too.

I recently had a physical and my cholesterol is OK.

Sorry for going on so long, but I have a lot of empathy for you guys. I hope some of this will be helpful.

 

[catwoman]

I think many many women (and men) suffer this. Here are just a few of my own observations:

I have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), too. Stress REALLY aggravates this and bloats me and gives me intestinal "issues". I've learned to keep it under control, but it still flares up.

I am also soy intolerant, to a point. I am also lactose intolerant, to a point. I can't drink regular milk, but I CAN have ice cream and cheese in small quantities.

Canola oil absolutely tears me up. The bloating and cramps are enough to make me feel like a balloon with Montezuma's Revenge.

Also, I've learned that baked potatoes bloat me out like a well-fed humpback whale. Egads, man!

Here are a few things I've noticed have helped me:

- Not eating processed foods. I prepare all my own meals with whole foods and vegetables. I occasionally have to use canned or frozen veggies, but that's about all.
- Not eating or drinking anything that is "sugar-free" (contains aspartame, Splenda, or any other artificial sweeteners). Read your labels, because these artificial sweeteners are EVERYWHERE, and they are so bad for you.
- Homemade lentil soup actually helped me somewhat. Go figure.
- No whey protein. I've been using Figure 8 for a couple of weeks now as my protein powder of choice, and it's been much better on my digestive system.
- Lots of water and VERY LITTLE soda pop. I still indulge in the occasional caffeine-free Pepsi, but when I do, my belly pooches out quite noticeably.
- No caffeine
- I drink herbal teas and green teas and find they help cleanse my system and kill the bloat. Peppermint herbal tea, mixed with a pinch of powdered ginger and sweetened with just a tad of sugar (much better than artificial sweeteners) works wonders to alleviate my bloating.
- Eat good carbohydrates, like whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread. I've changed my diet around by substituting the whole wheat products for white flour products, and I've really noticed a difference. (Please note that "enriched wheat flour" is NOT "whole wheat flour". Make sure the ingredient list says "whole wheat". Wonder bread makes a great whole wheat bread and a great whole grain bread that are both very good)
- No chewing gum. For one, almost all chewing gums contain aspartame (artificial sweeteners). For two, as you chew, you are swallowing air that distends your abdomen. I haven't chewed gum for several years.
- Cut out the extra salt! Salt makes you retain water.
- Get rest and a good night's sleep.

These are just a few of the things I've done to minimize my bloating problems, and they've really helped me.