rusto

Sorry, bad pun.

Anyways, since I've been eating better to support my cycling, I've become extremely flatulent, leaving "swirling vortices of doom" where ever I go. I used to toot a bit, but now I'm like a flippin' one man oompah band!


On the one hand, all that gas surely is making the bike/man combination lighter that it otherwise would be... until the point of release, that is.

On the other, my wife used to tolerate the occaisional emanation but now she stops and looks for the "all clear" sign from me before she enters the room. Also, I hope to start doing some group rides soon and fear that when it's my turn to break the wind, my wind breaking will break up the group.

I can't think of any one thing that might be causing all the flatulence. I'm eating fairly normal stuff: fruit, veggies, salads, nuts, cereal (Grape Nuts), egg whites chicken breasts and sirloin. I throw together at least one smoothie per day consisting of OJ, yogurt, bananna, frozen mixed berries, a bit of Kretchmer wheat germ and some flax seed.

Any thoughts? Does Beano really work? Should I carry a lighter with me to initiate "jet assist" on steep inclines?

jimblairo

I was using soy protein power and I switched to liquid soy and that turned me into a gas factory. Once I went off the soy beverage it stopped. Soy is a bean. Any beans in the smoothie?

rusto

No beans in the beverage but I have been mixing some soy "nuts" (dry roasted soybeans) in with the cashew, almonds, etc...

El Julioso

Sounds like you suddenly changed your diet. Any sudden diet change can cause your GI tract to do strange things while the bacteria adjust. Some of the gas emissions will "pass" in time, but some will remain unless you deal with all the extra fibre you're eating compared to your last diet (assuming your last diet was a typical American diet).

The reason beans cause gas is their high insoluble fibre content. Fibre absorbs water in the GI tract, and also speeds things along a bit. Too little fibre causes MEGA bloating, gas, and constipation. It's physically difficult to eat too much fibre, unless you take metamucil or something (completely unnecessary), but it's easy to drink too little water.

You need more water to offset all that fibre. Drink 64oz (about 8 normal glasses worth, plus other drinks as well) per day, more if you're riding on a warm day, and you should be fine.

Remember that it isn't just beans that have a bunch of fibre - a lot of fruits do as well (apples, for instance), and some nuts, like almonds with the skins on, are loaded with fibre.

Of course, it isn't just a question of fibre and water ratios that can cause gas - incomplete digestion can do the trick too. You put black pepper on your food? If not, you should. It triggers increased secretion of stomach acid, helping digestion proceed. And if you take antacids, well, don't.

j-lip

I was taking supplemental amino acids, and that seemed to cause me more gas. Maybe it was something else causing it, but that was the correlation I came up with at the time.

flip18436572

More water will usually help with the gas. Or at least it usually helps me. The other thing that was posted above is black pepper. I don't know that it works for everyone, but I have read about that also. I doubt I can find the article, but I do remember reading about it.

WATER is a must anyway. 64 oz is a minimum that I drink on a daily basis.

aham23

better eating leads to more fiber in ones diet and that leads to more tooties in ones life. i would rather be a skinny farter then a fat one. later.

rusto

I just got the song "El Condor PASA" in my head, hehe.

carbondale

Yes - Beano works.

slim_77

Beano don't cut the mustard in my house. However, digestive enzymes have helped me (and my wife). As "athletes" we consume more carbs than others. The result of high carb (and fiber) diet...farts.

The enzymes help digest the carbs more efficiently and will reduce the force with which you ruin the cushion on the chair.

foehn

Beano has worked for me, but I usually had to use a little more than they recommend.

What seems to get things under control for me is to drink Kefir. You can spend alot of money on that yogurt that is supposed to "regulate" your digestive tract, but kefir is cheaper. I buy the plain stuff from Trader Joe's or at the local middle-eastern marked and drink it regularly. Kefir is made with a wide variety of bacteria and can help your gut out.

Sportsman9

Chewing the food thoroughly and in a calm state, helps too.

ScrubJ

I second the kefir (use in your smoothie) or adding yogurt to you diet or smoothie. Lots of water too.

GeoLes

Question about passing gas?

You should absolutely pass gas. You are on a bike. You don't need gasoline to operate the bike. So, when you see the gas station, you should pass every time. I do.

Oh, you mean that kind of gas.....

(never mind)

GeoLes

Funny.

BTW: It should be "Cut the Muster" as in to muster up, gather together or collect.

genejockey 

I had to give up oats for that reason. Anything with oats, especially the really good steel-cut oatmeal, and the whole family was running for cover.

EGreen

OK, I'll be the one to suggest that you may want to go and get a GI work up. It could be, and likely is a dietary issue. However, it could signify pathology. Why not rule that out and then tend to your diet. You might even get a good tip or two from the GI Doc in the process.

Ankleweightman

I had to give up oats for that reason. Anything with oats, especially the really good steel-cut oatmeal, and the whole family was running for cover.

Steel cut or other oats at breakfast work good ....They regulate my digestive track. No gas pains or flatulence all day. Then, in the evenings, I sometimes float, or bloat. Seemed like potatoes would create problems. SWEET POTATOES AND FRESH IDAHO OR RED POTATOES DID NOT. WHY?

Falchoon

Bananas and peanuts make me f@rt. Also sultanas.