7 Foods That Cause Belly Bloating (2024)

By

Denise Maher,

AARP

Published March 27, 2023

Bloat sounds like it feels. Your belly swells, with gas and fluid pushing out from inside, making it feel as if you are wearing a heavy inner tube around your middle.

Bloating, a sensation of fullness in your abdomen, is a tricky topic, says Lin Chang, M.D., vice-chief of the Division of Digestive Diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Bloating is such a common symptom that can be associated with multiple different diseases or disorders,” she explains, that it is often not used in diagnostic criteria, as it doesn’t help distinguish one condition from another.

7 Foods That Cause Belly Bloating (1)

7 Foods That Cause Belly Bloating (2)

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What causes belly bloat?

The root cause of your bloat could stem from various issues, or a combination of them, including a lack of fiber in your diet, a food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or small intestine bacterial overgrowth, or a serious condition such as colon cancer. If you’ve already gotten the clear from acolonoscopy— recommended starting at age 45 — it is likely that this disagreeable symptom comes from a classic gastrointestinal problem. Constipation, one of the main reasons so many people experience gas and bloating, gets more common as you age. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, about 16 out of 100 adults experience constipation symptoms. After age 60, that number rises to 33 out of 100.

Experts say there are a number of reasons digestive issues tend to plague more older people. “With age, we produce less stomach acid, which is responsible for activating certain enzymes that help break down foods,” says Sandra J. Arévalo Valencia, director of community health & wellness at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in Nyack, New York. “When these enzymes are not being activated and the food remains longer in the stomach, then there’s more gas that remains for a longer period of time in the digestive tract,” she says.

Every person is different, and not everyone will have trouble with every food, stresses Arévalo. But if you are curious about possible dietary causes of bloating, consider these seven types of food.

1. Milk, cheese or other dairy foods

Developing lactose intolerance later in life is very common, says Arévalo. With age, we produce less and less of the enzyme we need to digest the lactose (a type of sugar) in milk, she explains. Besides bloating, dairy digestion problems can cause gas, pain and diarrhea.

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7 Foods That Cause Belly Bloating (4)

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7 Foods That Cause Belly Bloating (2024)

FAQs

7 Foods That Cause Belly Bloating? ›

Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain sulfur compounds that can cause gas and bloating. Dairy Products: Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can cause bloating in people who are lactose intolerant or have difficulty digesting dairy.

What are the worst foods for belly bloat? ›

Do certain foods cause bloating?
  • Beans. It's hardly a surprise to see beans atop the list of bloat-causing foods. ...
  • Lentils. Lentils are also legumes, so it's basically the same story as beans (but without the musical acknowledgment). ...
  • Dairy. ...
  • Carbonated beverages. ...
  • Wheat/rye/barley. ...
  • Cruciferous vegetables. ...
  • Onions. ...
  • Garlic.
Mar 15, 2022

What foods bloat your stomach the most? ›

Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts contain sulfur compounds that can cause gas and bloating. Dairy Products: Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can cause bloating in people who are lactose intolerant or have difficulty digesting dairy.

How to get unbloated in 5 minutes? ›

The following quick tips may help people get rid of a bloated belly quickly:
  1. Go for a walk. ...
  2. Try yoga poses. ...
  3. Use peppermint capsules. ...
  4. Try gas relief capsules. ...
  5. Try abdominal massage. ...
  6. Use essential oils. ...
  7. Take a warm bath, soaking, and relaxing.

What foods should you avoid for gas and bloating? ›

Foods that can cause gas due to high fiber include whole wheat, bran, prunes, peaches, apples, pears, asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, and beans. You may try avoiding high-fiber foods for a week or two and gradually start to eat them again.

How to flatten a bloated stomach? ›

Eat Potassium-Rich Foods

If you're feeling bloated from excess sodium, “the best tip for quick-ish relief is to drink more water and eat mild foods with potassium, like banana, avocado, and sweet potato,” says Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD.

How to get unbloated quickly? ›

Fast bloating relief
  1. Tea. Peppermint, ginger and chamomile all have anti-bloating properties. ...
  2. Over the counter medications. Certain over the counter medications help to temporarily relieve bloating. ...
  3. Heat. Use a warm compress, a hot water bottle or a heating pad. ...
  4. Get moving.
Jan 16, 2024

What is the best drink in the morning for bloating? ›

Lemon water

Lemon water acts as a natural diuretic, stimulating urination and reducing water retention that contributes to bloating. Squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water and drink it first thing in the morning.

What breakfast foods don't cause bloating? ›

To avoid gas and bloating, choose animal proteins, leafy greens like spinach, fermented foods like kefir, and oats. Many fruits are good options too, but you should still eat them in moderation.

Does coffee make you bloated? ›

Coffee can overexcite the digestive tract.

For only a small number of people, if you are sensitive to caffeine, an overexcited digestive tract can lead to bloating. Many people with digestive issues already might experience more bloating when they drink coffee.

What drink helps with bloating? ›

There are many antioxidants in green tea that help reduce inflammation in your digestive tract. Such inflammation, if unchecked, can be linked to bloating. Green tea isn't the only tea that helps reduce bloating, though. Peppermint tea and chamomile tea are both great for relieving bloat.

Does lemon water help with bloating? ›

The Benefits

“It helps kick-start the digestion process in the morning,” says Parada, adding that it also helps fight indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. Additionally, lemon is known to stimulate the production of bile and gastric juices and can therefore prevent gas formation.

Does drinking water help with bloating? ›

1. Drink plenty of water. Staying well hydrated is crucial if you're trying to debloat, as drinking water regularly throughout the day can prevent fluid retention caused by dehydration ( 2 ). What's more, it can prevent constipation, which is a common cause of bloating ( 3 , 4Trusted Source Trusted Source ).

Are eggs good for bloating? ›

Foods That Are Less Likely to Cause Bloating and Gas

According to the International Foundation For Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), foods that may not trigger gas and bloating are: Meat, poultry, fish. Eggs. Vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, and okra.

Does cheese cause bloating? ›

Dairy products can be a source of intestinal distress and bloating if you have trouble digesting lactose, or milk sugar. Whole grains, recommended for their many health benefits, can sometimes cause bloating and gas problems. One reason whole grains are so healthy is their high fiber content.

How do you release trapped gas? ›

7 Home Remedies for Immediate Relief From Trapped Gas
  1. Applying Heat. Heat can be soothing for gas pain, says Casey H. ...
  2. Peppermint Tea. “Consuming peppermint tea helps to relax the muscles of the digestive tract,” explains Dr. ...
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  4. Activated Charcoal. ...
  5. Exercise. ...
  6. Abdominal Massage. ...
  7. Over-The-Counter Medicine.
Oct 31, 2023

What causes stomach to bloat quickly? ›

The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up.

What makes my stomach so bloated? ›

Bloating happens when the GI tract becomes filled with air or gas. This can be caused by food sensitivities (something you ate) or a medical condition. It can even be caused by stress and hormones.

What drinks bloat your stomach? ›

Carbonated drinks add extra air and bubbles in your stomach, causing you to feel uncomfortably gassy and bloated. Wine and dark beer can also make you bloated. Sugar-free candies and gums contain sorbitol, which replaces sugar but affects your digestive tract, causing bloat.

Which fruit causes the most bloating? ›

Apples and pears. Apple and pears are both popular fruits that contain plenty of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They are also known for causing bloating and digestive problems. This is because they contain fructose, which is a fruit sugar that a lot of people find difficult to digest.

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