• A major cause of gas is swallowing too much air. Eat more slowly. Avoid chewing gum and drink fewer carbonated beverages such as pop and beer.
• Eating more fibre helps prevent gas by keeping foods moving through the intestinal tract but it’s a source of gas, too. To minimize fibre’s gassy effects, don’t eat hug amounts of high fibre foods at once. Instead, gradually increase your intake over time.
• To reduce gassy effects of legumes, always rinse canned beans well before using or soaked dried beans twice, discarding the water before cooking
• Be active. Exercise doesn’t stop gas production but it does help to pass it and lesson the discomfort.

Anne Lindsay