Managing Excess Gas

Easing Excess Gas

South Beach Diet Tips

It's common to experience increased gas when stepping up your consumption of high-fiber foods (like beans and vegetables) as you do on Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. Luckily, this unpleasant side effect can usually be managed with simple lifestyle modifications.

1. Gradually introduce gas-producing foods. One approach is to begin with restricting gas-producing foods like cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower) and beans to just a half cup a day. You can gradually increase the amount as your body adjusts (usually in a matter of days or weeks).

2. Give it more time. It's worth repeating that the South Beach Diet lifestyle encourages eating plenty of nutrient-dense, fiber-rich foods. They're healthy, delicious, and will keep you satisfied so you won't feel hungry. While these foods lead to increased gas production, once your body has grown accustomed to the increased fiber, gas production should settle down.

3. Reduce sugar alcohol intake. Be aware of your intake of sugar alcohols (like mannitol and sorbitol), often appearing as noncaloric sweeteners in sugar-free foods. Because your body does not digest sugar alcohols in the same way it digests sugar, they tend to promote excessive gas. Since sugar alcohols are found in a variety of sugar-free foods, it's recommended that you consume foods containing sugar alcohol in moderation. The 75- to 100-calorie limit on Sweet Treats will help you keep tabs on sugar alcohol consumption.

4. Cut back on fiber supplementation. Taking a daily fiber supplement may increase gas production. Try easing up on your daily use of these supplements and see if your gas problem clears up. If it does, you may want to cut back on your dosage of these supplements and concentrate more on getting fiber from natural sources. (If you do use fiber supplements, be sure to drink plenty of water to aid in their digestion.)

5. Pay a visit to your doctor. If none of the above culprits are responsible for your troubles, it may be time to see a doctor. Excessive gas production can also be attributed to lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, or antibiotic use. Your doctor should be able to help you figure out an appropriate solution.