What foods do you recommend for bloating and abdominal pain?

fratgoth
fratgoth Posts: 1 Member
in Food and Nutrition
This has been an ongoing battle at the doctors, we can’t seem to figure out what’s causing my bloat. It’s very painful and discouraging. Makes it hard to workout and leave the house.
I’ve recently decided to cut gluten out of my diet to see how I feel but I still bloat like crazy.

Replies

  • MarttaHP
    MarttaHP Posts: 68 Member
    I'm sorry to hear you are struggling. Having dealt with a large variety of stomach issues (bloating, gassiness, constipation) myself, I can sympathize.

    Did your doctor mention the low-FODMAP diet? That is something I mostly adhere to, and my stomach feels much better than it used to. I would suggest googling it, and also asking your doctor about it, because it is a pretty restrictive diet, so it's a good idea to ask the opinion of a healthcare professional.

    There is a useful app developed by the Monash University that contains a comprehensive guide for which foods are suitable on a low-FODMAP diet.
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,983 Member
    edited October 2020
    My husband had terrible bloating and other stomach problems for a long time before his doctor recommended trying a low-FODMAP diet. It's been a game-changer for him. It's been tough cutting out some foods that he loves, but worth it for him to feel better. I would ask you doc about it.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,376 Member
    You need to figure out what causes the bloating for you. Start a food diary and writing down what you eat/drink and how much pain and bloating you get. Then eliminate things from that list.
  • dragon_girl26
    dragon_girl26 Posts: 2,187 Member
    edited October 2020
    yirara wrote: »
    You need to figure out what causes the bloating for you. Start a food diary and writing down what you eat/drink and how much pain and bloating you get. Then eliminate things from that list.

    I agree with this, although the low FODMAP (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols) diet may ultimately be the right tool down the road. Low FODMAP is an extremely restrictive plan because it eliminates a lot of the foods that commonly cause stomach pains, including but not limited to dairy, gluten, onion products, some brassicas (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc..), and even some fruits. (I think the list of foods you CAN eat is shorter than the list you can't while in the eliminatiom stage..Lol.)
    I think some people also try Whole30 as a tool, since this sort of thing was originally what Whole30 was designed for and not necessarily meant for a weight loss plan.
    Its good to get out ahead of the problem, though, by making notes for yourself and seeing if you notice patterns based on the foods you consume. It'll also be helpful for sharing with your doctor.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    edited October 2020
    You need a second opinion from a good gastroenterologist. You've got pain and it's trying to tell you something. I know someone who had your symptoms, the elimination diet didn't fix anything. It was related to something else. Go.
  • Strudders67
    Strudders67 Posts: 978 Member
    I also agree with a food diary. I was under investigation by Prof Jonathan Brostoff, here in London, about 10 years ago and he had me noting what I ate, how soon after eating I experienced issues, what exactly the issues were, how severe and how long they lasted.

    He has written a couple of books - my copy is now with another family member - and one of those goes through how to do an elimination diet.

    It's very easy to think gluten or dairy, but it could be a number of things. I was fairly confident that gluten wasn't my issue, as I didn't have a problem with pasta. I stumbled upon the idea of yeast intolerance beforehand, but my meetings with Prof Brostoff plus the food diary confirmed it.
  • steph6556
    steph6556 Posts: 575 Member
    Have you had your gallbladder analyzed? I always had tummy issues, horrible bloating that would lead to pain that lasts HOURS! Some doctors thought it was acid reflux and the meds did nothing. Went to a Gastroenterologist and he suggested a HIDA Scan which puts you in an MRI type thing after you drink some thick gunk that glows inside you. Sure enough, my gallbladder does not function properly ( 7% ) and they suggested taking it out. Well, I’m not into that at this point but I’m watching my fat intake carefully and have added fermented foods daily and I have a lot less issues. When I go three days of being lazy and not watching it with probiotics, boom ! Stomach bloats and pain.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,376 Member
    One reason for bloating might also be that the food stays too long in the intestines and ferments there. Thus fermented food might actually increase problems. TO, do you think you have problems going to the toilet? If not then eating more fat and drinking enough might help there. I honestly can't imagine that eating some random probiotics will make a change from day to day. It's possible that the sugar or artificial sweetener just moves things along. Might be wrong there though.
  • AliNouveau
    AliNouveau Posts: 36,287 Member
    Potassium rich foods help relieve bloating.

    However sounds like you need something more and there's an issue. Nice had issues recently so I've started eliminating things that I suspect are causing the issues. Keeping a diary is a good idea or an elimination diet. Start by removing common things that can cause this, for my it's dairy, and then eventually reintroduce these items.

    Also I'd ask to see a dietitian or specialist.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    @fratgoth You still here. Don't let it go.

    https://www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/2017/10/Abdominal-Bloating.pdf

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