Like beans, but they don’t like you? A high-fiber diet may cause intestinal gas. Drinking enough water may be enough of an antidote.
Need more relief? Check the pharmacy shelf. One of three types of products might help: (1) products with simethicone, which break large pockets of gas into smaller bubbles; (2) products with alpha-galactosidase, which convert gas-producing carbohydrates to more easily digested sugars, taken before a meal; and (3) products with charcoal, which help absorb intestinal gas, taken before or after a meal (not recommended for children, and may interfere with some medication).
Beans are loaded with health benefits (see February 20), so don’t give them up. Just learn how to tame the reaction. If you “gas up,” try this:
- After soaking dried beans, toss the water. Some gas-producing carbohydrates dissolve into the soaking water. Cook in fresh water.
- Cook dried, soaked beans thoroughly. They’ll digest easier.
- Drain and rinse canned beans. (It gets rid of some sodium, too.)
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