Gas and bloating can be uncomfortable for anyone, but particularly troublesome if you have a hernia, or are recovering from surgery. Gas caught in the belly can increase the pressure and make the pain worse and heal uncomfortable.
Common foods that produce gas
- Beans and lentils: Sensitive people can get gas from rajma, chana and some dals. Soaking them well and cooking them well helps.
- Cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli are nutritious but can cause you to bloat. Use small quantity with ajwain or hing.
- Carbonated drinks: Soda and sparkling drinks pump air directly into your digestive tract.
- Fried and oily foods: Samosas, kachori and heavy street food slow down digestion.
- A lot of onions and garlic: It can cause fermentation for some people.
- Artificial sweeteners: Sugar-free products often contain sorbitol, which can cause gas.
Bloating causing habits
Swallowing excess air is caused by eating too fast, chewing gum, drinking through straws, and talking while eating.
Softer alternatives
Select moong dal, cooked vegetables, bananas, rice, curd and soft fruits. You may calm the stomach naturally with fennel seeds (saunf), jeera water and peppermint or ginger tea.
Maintain a Food Diary
Triggers are personal to each person. Writing down what you eat and how you feel afterward can help you to identify your own problem foods without having to cut out everything unnecessarily.
If bloating causes severe pain, vomiting, constipation, or a bulge that cannot be pushed back, it may be a sign of a serious complication and urgent care is needed. To rule out such problems early, many patients prefer to consult the best hernia specialist in Indore. You can get yourself examined by a trusted hernia surgeon in Indore who can suggest diet and the right treatment plan for you.
Cutting out gas-forming foods will not be forever strict restrictions. It’s about giving your abdomen a less stressed, less pressured environment while it heals or while you wait for treatment.
