Which foods cause flatulence?

There are numerous foods that have flatulent properties in general and not just for the period of breastfeeding. In addition, there are strong individual variations, so that onions, for example, which usually have a high potential for flatulence, lead to only weak intestinal gas formation in some people. On the other hand, other foods which are not or only rarely associated with an increased incidence of flatulence per se can lead to flatulence.

A diet that contains a high proportion of carbohydrates is associated with a higher risk of flatulence, whereas proteins and fats have a lower gas-forming potential. This is due to the properties of dietary fibres, which belong to the carbohydrates. These are indigestible for the human organism, which is why they bind water in the intestine and thus increase the volume of stool.

They have numerous valuable and important properties for health, but can also contribute to the increased formation of intestinal gases. Vegetables rich in dietary fibre include, for example: wholemeal products also contain a lot of fibre. Many types of fruit can also cause the formation of intestinal gases, whereby the individual range of effects on the digestive tract of each person should be pointed out again here.

Furthermore, lactose-containing dairy products can lead to flatulence in some people, especially if they are lactose intolerant and this is not yet known. Other intolerances can also cause symptoms according to the non-tolerated food components. In addition, flatulence can occur more frequently if more light products are consumed or cooked with sugar substitutes.

These include sorbitol and xylitol, which have laxative properties and can cause flatulence if taken frequently and used in large quantities. In addition, flatulence can occur more frequently if more light products are consumed or cooked with sugar substitutes. These include sorbitol and xylitol, which, when taken frequently and used in large quantities, have laxative properties and can cause flatulence.

Cauliflower
Broccoli
Sauerkraut
Kohlrabi
Onions
Garlic
Pulses (e.g. beans, chickpeas and lentils)

In most cases, chocolate alone does not belong to the classic flatulent foods, not even when breastfeeding. However, this applies to moderate consumption and is also dependent on the type of chocolate. If a lot of chocolate is eaten and it contains a lot of sugar, the sugar interferes with the digestion and increased gas formation can occur.

This can also be the case if the chocolate is a dietary product. The use of sugar substitutes in light products can have a laxative and flatulent effect if large quantities are consumed. Nuts that may be present in the chocolate can also cause flatulence.

If flatulence caused by chocolate is suspected, it is therefore advisable to reduce consumption or try out other products. In the case of magnesium, the individual reaction of the body to larger amounts consumed varies greatly, not only during the breastfeeding period. For example, the increased intake of magnesium via food supplements as a side effect can lead to gastrointestinal problems, including flatulence.

On the other hand, however, magnesium plays an important role as a salt in homeopathy, where it is sometimes used to treat flatulence and other gastrointestinal complaints. As with all foods or their constituents, it is therefore advisable to carefully examine the body’s own reaction. In the case of asparagus, different opinions prevail in the literature as to whether or not the vegetable can cause flatulence.

Therefore, it should be examined in each individual case how your own body reacts to eating asparagus and how digestible it is. The fact is that asparagus is very healthy due to its high water content and numerous vitamins. It contains a lot of folic acid, which is very important for the child, especially during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

However, if consumption leads to flatulence, it is advisable to eliminate asparagus from your diet. If necessary, the body may react less sensitively to consumption at a later stage. Although peppers are a very healthy vegetable, some people complain of increased gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract after consumption, even during the breastfeeding period, which is manifested by increased belching or flatulence.

It can be helpful to try out the individual types of peppers in different colours, as green peppers may cause more complaints than ripe red peppers due to their lower degree of ripeness. In addition, it may be worthwhile to avoid raw peppers and try them instead as a steamed, roasted or baked variety. Many vegetables are easier to digest after heating.

Due to the higher vitamin C and acid content in peppers, care should be taken to ensure that babies do not react sensitively to their mother’s consumption of peppers by developing a sore diaper area. If so, peppers and similar acidic foods should be avoided for the duration of breastfeeding. Onions have potentially bloating properties, which is not only true for the period of breastfeeding.

However, as with all other foods, each body reacts differently. Onions can therefore cause severe discomfort for some breastfeeding women, but other women tolerate the healthy vegetables very well. As with all possible triggers of flatulence, it is advisable to evaluate the effect of food intake on your own body.

If the effects after eating are too serious and disturbing, it is advisable to try to skip them and, if necessary, integrate onions back into the daily meal plan at a later date. With carbonated beverages, CO2 is kept dissolved in water by the pressure prevailing in the beverage bottles, but begins to escape when the bottle is opened. The escape of the gas takes some time, so that when drinking, the process of gas formation also continues in the digestive system.

This results in an increased accumulation of gas, which can manifest itself after drinking carbonated beverages by increased belching or flatulence. This can affect everyone and does not only apply to the period of breastfeeding. If one reacts with unpleasant gas formation to carbon dioxide in beverages, these should either be drunk in an already slightly stale state and thus with a reduced amount of gas, or still beverages should be preferred.