Yahoo Lifestyle This Is the Thanksgiving Food Most Likely to Give You Gas, According to Gastroenterologists
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, food ... and flatulence.
There are a few reasons for why Thanksgiving dinner makes a lot of people fart more than usual.
Dr. David D. Clarke, MD, board-certified internist, gastroenterologist and president of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms, previously told Parade that it's typically a combination of eating more than usual (hello!); swallowing air from talking, chewing or eating quickly—and, of course, what you eat and drink specifically.
Fair enough, but is there a certain food that's more likely to give you gas on Thanksgiving? As it turns out, well, it depends—but these foods are most likely to make you fart after your feast.
Related: We All Pass Gas, but Wondering Exactly Why Your Farts Smell so Bad? Doctors Explain
This Is the Thanksgiving Food Most Likely to Give You Gas, According to Gastroenterologists
Green bean casserole
Considering the main ingredient in green bean casserole is green beans—and the old adage "Beans, beans, they're good for your heart / The more you eat, the more you fart," this one isn't too shocking.
"High-fiber foods, like beans, whole grains and vegetables, help keep your digestive system regular but also increase the likelihood of flatulence," Dr. Kenneth Josovitz, MD, a gastroenterologist with Gastro Health in Woodbridge, Virginia, previously told Parade.
Add to that the cream in the cream of mushroom soup in most green bean casserole recipes, which may aggravate lactose intolerant individuals, plus the fried onions on top, and this dish may well make you and your guests start tooting before dessert.
Still, there are several other dishes that, depending on one's dietary needs and sensitivities, can also cause gas, according to Dr. Jeffrey Raskin, MD, a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Medical Associates, a division of Allied Digestive Health, in Jersey City, New Jersey.
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Some flatulence-causing foods you may want to look out for each November can include:
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a type of cruciferous vegetable, and these breeds—which also include cauliflower and broccoli—often make people gassy thanks to their high fiber content and the way bacteria in your gut helps you digest them, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Mashed potatoes
Some people have difficulty digesting starches, making mashed potatoes an occasional culprit for flatulence on Thanksgiving. This is especially true for anyone who may be lactose intolerant, since mashed potatoes often are made with a lot of dairy (in the form of cream, butter and milk).
Related: 'I'm a Gastroenterologist, and This Is the One After-Dinner Habit I Swear By'
Macaroni and cheese
Another favorite side dish that may make your digestion a bit noisy? Mac and cheese. Similar to mashed potatoes, it's the combination of starch and dairy, especially for lactose intolerant individuals, that can cause some serious rumbles in your digestive tract.
Stuffing or dressing
Whether it's stuffed into the turkey or served alongside it, if you have celiac disease or are just sensitive to gluten, traditional bread-based stuffing can make you feel stuffed with hot air.
Related: Having Some Tummy Troubles? Here Are 19 Easy-to-Digest Foods
Sweet potatoes
Like their white counterparts, sweet potatoes are heavy in starch and therefore can cause gas. They also contain a lot of fiber, plus the sugar mannitol, the latter of which can be difficult for some people to digest, leading to flatulence.
Beer and wine
Swallowing all those bubbles in your pumpkin ale or regular beer can make you feel like your stomach is bubbling up, too, thanks to the carbonation that makes them foamy and delicious. If you're more into wine or spirits, however, you may not be off the hook, either: Alcohol in any form can irritate the digestive tract, which can cause gas.
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Related: 5 Foods You Should Never, Ever Reheat in the Microwave, According to Food Safety Experts
Sources
"What Causes Flatulence and When to Know It's a Problem for You." Cleveland Clinic.
