I'm eating a healthy diet, so why am I still farting?

Even if you eat healthy, you may not be able to avoid passing gas. Discover why you may be having trouble with flatulence and what you can do about it.

Although poor nutrition can certainly contribute to flatulence, it would be wrong to assume that diet alone is sole cause. In fact, the digestive process of any food relies on the body’s natural chemical reactions to break-down nutrients and therefore can cause gas.

Many healthy foods are known to cause flatulence. This is especially true of foods high in fibre, legumes and dairy products, which ferment and produce gas.

Furthermore, there are some foods the body is just incapable of digesting properly. These sensitivities and intolerance usually result in flatulence. This condition is commonly reported in people who suffer from lactose intolerance.

Even if you’ve adopted a healthy, balanced diet, you may still experience gas. There are other factors, beyond diet and nutrition, which lead to flatulence.

For example, stress and anxiety are known to trigger bodily functions. If the root of your stress is job-related, it’s likely your busy schedule is preventing you from eating at a reasonable hour. If this is the case, even if your meals are healthy and balanced, you may still experience gas.

If you’re in the habit of drinking or talking while eating, you will probably swallow air. This causes both belching and flatulence. This is only made worse if you've got congested sinuses; difficulty breathing through the nose will force you to breathe through your mouth, especially when you eat.

Aside from adopting a better diet, there are a few ways to reduce the intensity and frequency of your flatulence.

First of all, take small bites and chew thoroughly. Don’t drink while you eat; it’s recommended to avoid liquids for at least 15 minutes before eating, and an hour after mealtime for optimal digestion.

Also, avoid talking with your mouth full. Not only is it bad manners, but keeping your mouth closed promotes better chewing. This means swallowing less air which inevitably results in less gas.

Naturally, it’s difficult to avoid all foods that cause flatulence. But if you can identify them then you can take control and choose to eat them more sparingly.

Next, relax at lunchtime by taking a break from work while you eat. Stepping out of the office for lunch will not only provide a welcome distraction but should encourage you to enjoy your meal by eating it more slowly.

Even if you eat healthy, you may not be able to avoid passing gas. Discover why you may be having trouble with flatulence and what you can do about it.