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How do you cope with smelly gas? Some people try not to let unpleasant smells out in public, but that can be a challenge and lead to significant discomfort. On the other hand, putting a stink out into the world can definitely lead to embarrassment.
Although people vary with respect to which foods are most problematic, the high-fiber plant-based diets that are often recommended for good health can be especially tricky. Cruciferous (cabbage family) vegetables are particularly suspect, along with beans and members of the onion family. So what is a conscientious vegetarian to do?
Is a Vegetarian Diet Responsible for Smelly Gas?
Q. My son is a vegetarian. He relies on beans and dairy for his protein. He eats lots of vegetables, especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and carrots.
I am convinced that his diet is responsible for “our” problem: GAS! He is so flatulent we can hardly stand it. The smell is overwhelming. Is there anything he can take to reduce the gas and the odor?
Reducing the Aroma That Results from High-Fiber Foods:
A. The healthful vegetables your son eats often produce unpleasant smells. Basically, the fiber in these foods is largely indigestible, leaving lots of food for gut bacteria. Your son’s intestinal denizens apparently produce a great deal of smelly gas by feeding on the residual fiber.
If he is lactose intolerant, dairy products may also contribute to the problem. That is because a lack of lactase leaves this milk sugar to feed the bacteria that produce the gas.
What to Take to Reduce the Smell:
The best way to deodorize gas is with bismuth. Products containing this compound include Devrom (bismuth subgallate) and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate). The stool will turn black, but this is not dangerous.
There are reports, however, that regular use (or overuse) of bismuth has been linked to reversible neurological symptoms such as tremor, muscle twitches, confusion and memory problems. As a result, your son might want to reserve bismuth for use prior to social occasions.
We are sending you our Guide to Digestive Disorders with many recommendations such as fennel, turmeric, epazote or ginger that can help ease uncomfortable flatulence. Many of these are excellent additions to vegetarian cuisine.
He may also need to consider whether he has lactose intolerance. People who cannot digest lactose, the form of sugar found in milk, often suffer bloating, flatulence, diarrhea or cramps. The gas can be quite smelly. Lactose-intolerant individuals often choose to avoid dairy products, but they can also use the enzyme lactase (eg, Lactaid) with their meals. This breaks down the milk sugar so that it does not cause problems. Very sensitive individuals should also be wary of lactase in pills.
Revised 3/14/16
Kevin
Iowa
Devrom (bismuth subgallate) has been a life-saver for those who have to work around me. About 6 months following gastric bypass, something terrible happened. My gas went from run-of-the-mill unpleasant to Level 9 WMD. Even I couldn’t stand to be around me. Dogs ran away from me in a panic. My next door neighbor’s parrot screamed and hacked every time I paid my neighbor a visit. Yes, it was that bad.
I was skeptical that Devrom could work as well as claimed but I had exhausted (literally) all other options, and the people I work with were on the edge of mutiny. So I had nothing to lose. I was amazed to discover just how well it works. One thing to be aware of though – it does NOT reduce the quantity of gas – but the gas you do produce will be odor-free. As long as you can hide the sound, you need not fear the smell giving you away.
I’ve been using it regularly for 8 years, and it never fails to do its job.
Beverly
Stokesdale , NC
As a long time vegetarian and being lactose intolerant, I need to use Beano before each meal. If I have dairy on rare occasions, I use Lactaid (the generic version). Both help…. One of my personal favorites is taking ginger capsules during or after meals which is great for preventing heartburn and wonderful for digestion. Many people have good luck with fennel as well. One thing I find very confusing is I often have really bad gas when I haven’t even eaten yet -just on empty stomach.
Sedge
What about Simethicone, the active ingredient in many over the counter supplements for intestinal gas?
Mary
Pennsylvania
I have found 1 tablespoon ACV in a cup of hot water (I also add stevia) works well for gas pains.
abigail
Bismuth subsalicylate is the main ingredient in the Kaopectate that has a blue label and blue cap cover. Kaopectate has no red coloring.
JR
Would lactose free milk solve the problem of gas?
Kenneth
I have used acidophilus pills, one at breakfast and a second a dinner. Since it is a probiotic, not only has it reduced the amount of methane but also replaces the intestinal flora when I had to take Cipro.
LisaJ
I would recommend that he try digestive enzymes & beano before trying Pepto Bismol. And if he thinks he may be lactose intolerant, he should try lactase enzymes to see if they help him.
VR
Last year I took Pepto-Bismol for my stomach gas. Afterward I felt lousy and warm feeling moved slow down toward to my feet from my stomach. That scared me because I never felt that before. I laid down to rest for it to go away which was for a while. So, no more Pepto-Bismol for me. Maybe I am allergic to it?????
Sharon L.
FENNEL worked for me. Chewing and swallowing 4-6 seeds, unless you can find the spice in powder form, are enough to stop my gas problem. Try it! slk
fbl
Many people are also sensitive to grains such as wheat. Gluten and gliaden sensitivity may not be obvious on a broad regular diet.
Also he may not have given his gut time to adapt to the new regimen. He may want to take some good probiotics for several months to a year if he plans to keep up his vegetarian regimen. His gut flora will have to supply some of the nutrients he will be missing.
He should try different products to see which ones calm his gut and solve the gas problem. A happy gut is NOT a gassy gut. I’ve tried several but found Primal Defense is a good heavy duty supplement after chemo and radiation. It is by Gardens of Life.
MR
I’ve found fennel very useful for preventing gas. I’ve also used both activated charcoal and chlorophyll to avoid the bad odor of gas (and they may help prevent the gas itself sometimes). The thing is, when you use charcoal it may also absorb any medications or supplements you take within several hours. And chlorophyll contains a fair amount of copper, so you may have to see that you get enough zinc another time of the day, since these two minerals need to be in a proper ratio. In fact, I’ve read that being a vegetarian in itself puts one at great risk of a very dangerous copper overload and zinc deficiency.
is
enteric coated peppermint oil capsules work to control flatulence and odor. one prior to a meal recommended.
Erica
Asafetida is a common spice used in vegetarian Indian cooking that imparts a wonderful garlic-like flavor to dishes that feature lentils and legumes. It also is famous for eliminating gas problems and has long been known to be a potent immune booster. A little bit goes a long way, 1/8th of a teaspoon for a cup of dried lentils is a common proportion. Asafetida must be cooked with the beans or lentils in order to turn into its wonderful deliciousness. In its raw powdery form, however, it stinks terribly so I keep mine sealed in a zippered plastic bag.