Embarrassing food question. Need help with foods I love.
Need advice re. foods I love, but don't love me. In particular, one's that cause me gas pains. I love pasta, eggs, broccoli, beans, salads, etc., but have been avoiding them because of pain the next day. I've had tests and my gallbladder checked. I take gas-x, but it doesn't help that much. Any suggestions or have you had similar issues? Thanks.
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19 Comments:
Seek out a respected nutritionist who can help you devise menus and choose foods that are suited to your body's needs. They're around - and perhaps your insurance will even cover the cost if your primary doc will refer you.
moibec at 8:24PM on 10/26/09
Pasta? Just plain pasta? That's very unusual in combination with the other items you list. If bread doesn't cause problems, pasta shouldn't either. Have you seen a gastroenterologist, not just an internist or family practitioner?
lemons at 9:05PM on 10/26/09
Thanks, moibec and lemons.
Yes, even pasta with olive oil and salt and pepper will give me lower stomach pain, (and I eat hardly any bread). I have a gastroenterologist who has done tests, with results indicating there should not be a problem. If it matters, my dad has the same issues with similar foods.
Jpunk at 9:36PM on 10/26/09
have you been tested for allergies? do you soak your beans before you cook them....? maybe try another doctor.... seems you have a problem... did he check for diverticulitis?
pooch at 10:43PM on 10/26/09
- Fennel Seeds
- Peppermint Tea
- Digestive Enzymes
- Bromeline
- Cumin Seeds
- Chamomile Tea
Giasbash6260 at 11:13PM on 10/26/09
If pasta plain causes you problems, try talking to your doctor about wheat/gluten intolerance. Wheat & gluten can hide in food as an additive. If you have a very low tolerance then even something like soy sauce could cause you problems.
kjgibson at 12:35AM on 10/27/09
Based on the pasta it could be celiac Sprue. Intestinal pain is also followed by diarrhea in a lot of celiacs. Or a little recognized allergy is to onions. But looking also at your list, there are a lot of complex carbohydrates which many people have problems with. These are a problem when your body doesn't produce the enzymes required to break the complex sugars into easily digestible simple sugars. Try the digestive aid sold as Beano or one of the generic knock offs. If it is sugars and not food allergies, it may help.
Meat guy at 9:08AM on 10/27/09
It sounds like you've seen a doctor without satisfaction.
If this were happening to me it would be food allergies, although those usually, but not always, have symptoms within an hour or so. A simple pulse test might help you determine if it's allergies. Allergies often raise (or lower) the pulse by 10 or more points within an hour of eating the offending food. Rotating foods so you have them no more often than once every 5 days might help if it's allergies. It can be difficult to find an allergist who can help you deal with food allergies.
Foods allergies can also result from foods eaten in combinations when none of the components give problems. I had acute abdominal pain with beef stew (my own, homemade) when i wasn't having trouble with the ingredients in other combinations (until I figured it out, and laid off stew for awhile).
The foods you list are notorious gas producers (including wheat) and you might need to build up tolerance to them with beano, over time. I'm sort of surprised your doctor didn't suggest a colonoscopy.
Susceptibility to allergies can be inherited, and perhaps Sprue can be too.
Good luck. Hope you figure this out.
lemonfair at 9:29AM on 10/27/09
Beano :)
hungrychristel at 12:42PM on 10/27/09
Hungrychristel beat me to it - I was going to suggest Beano because it's taken before the potentially offending food is consumed. Look, it can't hurt to try. Good luck.
therealchiffonade at 1:22PM on 10/27/09
Definitely go to an allergist and get tested for a myriad of foods -- the doc should be able to suggest which tests based on your symptoms related to certain foods.
I was tested 3 years ago and have been jumping for joy ever since! Turned out I had a severe soy allergy and I never suspected.
WickedGoodDinner at 2:09PM on 10/27/09
For the veggies and salad: Beano
For the pasta: A gluten-free version, such as rice or quinoa pasta.
And, I agree with all the above posters who recommended you might want to think about getting tested for gluten intolerance and food allergies at your next physical. Living without and upset gut will change your life.
Brownie at 2:50PM on 10/27/09
I was going to suggest celiacs as well -- try going gluten free for a week or two and see if the pain subsides.
ec_washington at 5:04PM on 10/27/09
try taking a probiotic -- they sell some great probiotics at whole foods -- they really help with digestion and intestional issues ...
gbania at 5:15PM on 10/27/09
Thank you all so much for your input! It is appreciated more than I can convey. I'm looking at anything and everything at this point. What a great community of help:-)
Lemonfair, thanks especially for your response. I'd not been aware of the pulse difference.
The Beano and allergist suggestions were great as well as all of the others. A smart bunch, you Serious Eaters!
Jpunk at 9:19PM on 10/27/09
JPunk: Thanks. Google "pulse test for allergies" and you'll find myriad sites. I haven't checked out any of them, but you'll get the idea. My own allergist used to use the pulse test as part of his testing.
lemonfair at 5:44AM on 10/28/09
Check with another doctor. The allergist suggestion is excellent.
You may be lactose and gluten intolerant too.
Let us know how things progress.
CJ McD at 11:54AM on 10/28/09
As others have said, it sounds like celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome. You can learn to live a happy life with either, so don't fret too much. You need to see a medical or dietary professional and then start experimenting with your diet. Be prepared to give some things up, but also know that millions of people live with food restrictions and still get plenty of nutrition and enjoyment from their diets. Best wishes!
lauracarmen at 2:47PM on 10/28/09
Symptoms of celiac are loose bowels and lots of stomach cramping. If you don't have these maybe you're just a gaseous person like myself. If I eat beans for supper I can raise the bed covers.
Uncle Dudley at 3:28PM on 10/28/09