I think when you start introducing fiber into your diet, you will be prone to gas issues. As your body gets used to the fiber, then you should have less gas issues. I don't really have any and I eat a lot of fiber.
I totally agree with Nelie that gradually increasing fiber helps your body get used to, and the gas should subside or at least diminish a good deal.
And, taking probiotics REALLY helps. Get a good quality one from the health food store (pill or powder form) and take daily. My husband, who is a type 1 diabetic so needs to pay attention to all health concerns, had been having horrible gastrointestinal issues for over a year -- terrible bloating and pain, urgent need to go to the bathroom numerous times a day (not #1), cramping, etc. etc. His endo eventually referred him to a gastro specialist who gave him numerous tests, including a colonoscopy as the grand finale in February. None of the tests showed anything. Eventually he tried probiotics... and miracle of miracle within one week almost ALL of his gastro issues disappeared, including gas. He eats a lot of fiber (not as much as I do, but he gets his 25 grams a day at least). The probiotics have really helped him. He generally mixes the powder in his daily fruit smoothie, but on super busy days or when we are out of town, he takes the capsule form. We have both become big believers and his doctor is pretty amazed. Good luck.
I wanted to add that from what I've been told by my friend who suggested probiotics in the first place (she has been an MD for 15 years, and is currently enrolled in Dr. Weil's program of Integrative Medicine at University of Arizona) that the amount of probiotics in products like Danactive and Daniva (yogurts) is minimal and you don't get much benefit from them. She said they are more gimmicky than anything - not bad for you, but just not much probiotics in them. Just wanted to add that...
Maybe I need to rephase the question, What is the high fiber food that you eat that does not cause you as much gas as other high fiber foods. I am looking for a list of foods that people like.
I think we did understand your question though. None of the high fiber foods I eat cause gas. What we're trying to say is that you must introduce fiber slowly over a few weeks time for the stomach to adjust to it. And adjust to it, it will. I easily eat over 40 gms of the stuff a day - with ZERO stomach issues. Also make sure you drink lots of water. Fiber absorbs lots of water, so you'll need to drink more then you normally do.
High fiber foods that I eat:
Fiber One Cereal
Kashi Go Lean Cereal
Cauliflower
Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
Broccoli
Spinach
Apples
Brussel sprouts.
There are plenty of others, but those are the ones that I eat for the most part off the top of my head.
Here's a few more that I myself don't eat too often or at all:
Whole wheat breads and pasta and brown rice. Beans, corn, dried fruits (high in calories though), nuts, pears. You can just google High Fiber Foods and you'll get lots of stuff.
Eat it however you want. I don't like either of those vegetables raw. I only eat/prepare foods that I enjoy eating - or I would never, ever stick to my plan. It's essential to experiment and discover foods that you love. My tastes have totallly changed. It's totally really something.
If you want beans, soak them for 24 hours then dump the water. Then cook as usual. That is supposed to help relieve gassiness. I also recommend upping the fiber slowly like others have said.
walking to lose has he tryed kefir? That is supposed to be very intestinal friendly.
My high fiber favorites include -
Veggies - Green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, radishes, etc
Berries - strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
Beans - All sorts of beans
Whole grains - Oatmeal, brown rice, whole grain bread, whole wheat couscous, etc
Other - ground flaxseed which I put into my oatmeal pancakes, psyllium husk fiber which I put into my smoothies
My answer above is really the same in that the more high fiber foods you introduce, the less gassiness you will experience over time.
Well, I am VERY relieved to here that all this gassiness is going to pass soon. NO pun intended!
Since beginning my new plan, I have eaten between 40 and 50 grams of fiber a day and I'm not liking the gassy feeling. I have some Acidophilus here and think I should pop it a little more often after reading walking2lose excellent post on probiotics.
I think we did understand your question though. None of the high fiber foods I eat cause gas. What we're trying to say is that you must introduce fiber slowly over a few weeks time for the stomach to adjust to it. And adjust to it, it will. I easily eat over 40 gms of the stuff a day - with ZERO stomach issues. QUOTE]
Hi,
I am glad you've had such success, but not every body works the same. I've been dieting forever and was a vegetarian for 10 years. I've been eating high fiber for years and years. It never gets better for me and I know for many others it is the same story. What I want to try is eating only the high fiber stuff that other have had success with. Thanks for the list!
High fiber, low gas - suggestions please
