“Why does everything I eat give me gas?”

Not everything eaten causes gas, but carbohydrates are the most likely to do this. Follow a low FODMAP diet and flatulence and bloating should improve.

That’s not normal so please change your diet to healthy and bland, and if that doesn’t help then please visit your primary physician before you see a specialist.

There can be many reasons that different foods in the diet can cause gas pain or bloating in patients. Patients with acid reflux can have problems with a lot of gas because the excessive amount of acid produced in their stomach can cause this as a symptom. Some people have a tough time breaking down certain carbohydrates or sugars in the diet, such as lactose, sucrose or fructose and this can present as gas with bloating. Sometimes, certain patients can have a simple sensitivity to different types of foods such as dairy or gluten and simply need to avoid these foods to help with their symptoms. I would suggest working out a treatment plan with your family doctor or pediatrician and consider referral to a specialist for further evaluation.

When my patients tell me that 'everything' they eat gives them gas, I tell them to really try and focus on what particular foods are the worst. Most of the time, the gas is caused by particular food products. Common gas causing foods are dairy (milk, cheese, ice cream, chocolate), vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, and beans. It is definitely worthwhile to give yourself a trial of a dairy free diet for 1-2 weeks and see how you feel. There is also a diet called a low FODMAP diet, where you eliminate certain foods that are difficult to digest. Other possibilities are that you could possibly have Celiac disease (problem digesting gluten in wheat and bread products) or even gallbladder problems. Over the counter products that can help include Gas-X (simethicone) and Beano (alpha-galactosidase). Hope that helps.
Be well!