“We are gathered here today to discuss something that’s rather uncomfortable,” the priest said, looking down at Joe.” Yes, it’s time to discuss your gas problem. We’ve been silent up to now, much as you’ve been as your office mates, elevator companions and family suffered from the outrageous and prodigious amounts of gas you’ve passed.
We’ve come not to judge, but to tell you there’s hope for your gas problems.”
Joe suddenly jolted upright in his bed. It was all a dream. He laughed to himself as he sunk back into his pillows, relieved that the church full of his friends and family were just a figment of his imagination.
But then he began thinking of the last week when he burped several times at an important office meeting. He remembered the elevator ride down on the skyscraper after his corned beef and cabbage lunch. Certainly he recalled meeting that cute girl at the bar, the one who seemed interested but quickly departed after his gas problem made itself known.
Joe suddenly realized he had a gas problem. That’s when he vowed to do something about it, joining the 74 percent of Americans that Readers' Digest says admit to a digestive problem that includes gas.
Gas Is Universal
Joe’s realization shouldn’t have been a surprise. He had a long commute and a stressful job, which usually meant he was gobbling food on the go or downing a beverage hastily in order to make his train home. This led to an excessive amount of air entering his system, which, in turn, led to gas problems.
Beyond his lifestyle, where his only exercise was a bit of walking to his office from the train station, Joe had to realize that he was eating the wrong foods. He loved vegetables and fruit, which is a very healthy way to go. But Joe particularly favored beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, pears, apples, peaches and prunes in his weekly consumption, all of them notorious gas builders. Joe’s sandwiches were always made on whole-wheat bread, and he was fond of the bran muffins he gobbled in the morning.
Combine that with his love of Coke for a quick energy jolt and his habit of sucking on hard candies, and it’s no wonder Joe developed a gas problem. He was a textbook example of what not to ingest when you’re trying to beat back the gas in your system.
The Worst Gas Offenders
Joe went on the Internet and read all about the problems associated with excess gas. He took stock of the foods that caused it and vowed that he would consciously cut back on some of the worst offenders.
Moreover, he decided to plan his day just a little better, hoping to cut back on the dashing to make the train, dashing to get back from lunch, and dashing to make his appointments in between work and home. Just getting up a little earlier and making a conscious effort to take the time to enjoy his food and beverages was just a little thing, but it could make a big impact on Joe’s digestive system.
During his research, Joe discovered a few foods and drinks that could make a big difference in his gas problem. He decided to draw up a menu that would include several portions of the foods in his coming week, hoping that they would help him battle gas buildup.
They included:
· Grilled chicken: One of the best proteins for your digestive system, grilled chicken without fried breading or other greasy coatings, can help speed digestion. It’s one of the most versatile meats you can find, and it's great in salads, sandwiches or simply as a standalone meal.
· Eggs – Whether boiled, scrambled or served as egg salad, eggs are easy on the digestive system. High in protein, the versatile egg is best served without being fried or served after being cooked in a lot of butter or excessive amounts of oil. But if you’re ordering an omelet, make sure it doesn't include a lot of vegetables and other gassy foods.
· Baked potato – The simple, unadorned potato can still taste good without a lot of butter or sour cream. Just add some salt and pepper, Tabasco or mustard and you’ll have a delicious meal or snack that won’t tax your digestive system.
· Plain soda crackers. Make sure you’re not getting snacks that have a lot of fiber. The old-fashioned saltine is a great way to relieve hunger pangs while avoiding the excess fiber found in some other kinds of salty snacks. Just be sure not to use a ton of condiments or cheeses.
Beyond eating more sensibly, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re drinking a lot of water. Your intestinal system is like a water park slide. If there’s a lot of water, things speed along. If it’s a dry gulch, the fiber-rich foods sit in your linings, fermenting and bringing along a ton of gas buildup, which eventually must exit the body, often at ill-timed moments.
For the same reasons, tea is a great choice to mix into your daily routine. Not only is it adding fluids to your system, but tea – particularly peppermint, chamomile, lemon or ginger root-based teas – also is relaxing and helps stimulate the system, moving along the troublesome foods that can build up gas. Tea is a calming beverage that’s meant to be sipped, which can help relax the system and bring gas relief.
Finally, consider starting your day with a big glass of lemon water or apple cider vinegar. These home remedies have been used for a long time to both relax the system and stimulate your digestive tract, ridding the system of those fermented foods and lingering scraps.
Joe implemented his plan and within a week, felt much better. His gas levels were down, he was promoted at work, and soon people on his floor weren’t so quick to say they would take the next elevator down when they spied him in the car. Life was good, and it’s all because Joe took a few steps to monitor the foods that caused his gas problem.