Does Pork Cause Gas? A Closer Look at Why You Might Be Gassy After Eating Pork

It’s almost time for bed, and there are only a few crumbs left on your plate from dinner. Your suddenly bloated belly seems like it’s about to explode. Uncomfortable barely begins to describe your condition.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy.

So how did you get to this point? Consider those crumbs clues, says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD. “It all starts with what you eat,” she says.

What causes stomach bloating?

Your stomach is currently full of the last meal you ate, which is being broken down by a soup of acid and enzymes. It’s a digestive process that typically moves things along pretty efficiently.

Some food, though, tends to linger longer than it should in your winding intestinal track. Food that sits begins to decompose and ferment.

The result? “You’re going to get some gassiness,” says Czerwony.

That bloated feeling you get after eating certain foods is essentially those gasses building up internally. Basically, you’re inflating like a balloon … which can suddenly make you feel like you’re about to burst.

Do certain foods cause bloating?

Absolutely, says Czerwony — and she’s willing to name names. Thus, these 15 foods can make you feel swollen, along with some possible ways to stay away from the pain.

It’s hardly a surprise to see beans atop the list of bloat-causing foods. Even lyricists have written songs about how powerful this legume is said to be: “Beans, beans, the musical fruit…”

Science is behind that tune, explains Czerwony. Many types of fiber-rich beans are packed with carbohydrates and — more specifically — sugars called oligosaccharides. These sugars don’t digest gently.

In the end, that process leaves behind fermentation and a lot of gas, which has been known to sometimes blow out in a trumpet-like sound.

Try this: Soaking healthy beans in water before a meal can help your body digest them better by weakening the oligosaccharides. Also, some beans (such as black-eyed peas) tend to be less demanding on your system.

Lentils are also legumes, so it’s basically the same story as beans (but without the musical acknowledgment).

Tips to try: Soaking lentils can work wonders. Also, heart-healthy lentils come in a rainbow of hues. Lighter-colored lentils tend to have less fiber than their darker counterparts, which makes them easier to digest.

Did you know that three out of four people can’t digest lactose, which is the main carbohydrate in dairy? Lactose intolerance can lead to bloating and other serious digestive issues.

The off-limits food list would include dairy products such as milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, yogurt and more.

Tips to try: There are more and more milk alternatives in stores that offer many of the same health and nutrition benefits.

Guzzling down a fizzy drink puts all those bubbles in your belly. “Think about what happens if you shake a can of soda,” says Czerwony. “That’s what is happening inside of you after you drink it. The bubbles have no place to go — and it will make you feel bloated. ”.

Tips: Try drinking a few more glasses of water every day and cutting down on the amount of carbonated drinks you drink.

These out-of-the-field grains are packed with fiber. It’s important to remember, though, that they have a lot of insoluble fiber, which doesn’t break down well in the digestive system. (Insoluble fiber adds “bulk” to your poop. ).

As noted, foods that don’t digest well often end up logging more time in your gut. “It’s just going to sit there and ferment, which builds those gasses,” notes Czerwony.

Gluten protein in wheat, rye and barley can also lead to digestive issues and bloating, particularly if you have celiac disease. Additionally, an estimated 6% of Americans may have a non-celiac gluten sensitivity that leads to similar issues.

Try grains from other parts of the farm, like oats, that might be better for your body. If gluten is an issue, here’s what to put in your grocery cart to avoid the troublesome protein.

These vitamin-packed produce items, part of the cabbage family, can be tough on the tummy. The list includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and others. “The sugars in them make them a little more potent,” says Czerwony.

Tips to try: Raw vegetables are tougher to digest, so cooking cruciferous vegetables can limit bloating. You also may want to try different vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, cucumbers and asparagus.

This veggie can make you cry in numerous ways, it seems.

Onions contain a soluble fiber known as fructan, which can wreak havoc on your digestive tract. The potent root vegetable also might just pack a little more punch than some sensitive stomachs can handle.

Helpful hints: If onions make you feel bloated, try cooking them first. Raw onions are worse for you than cooked ones, so start there if you want to keep this healthy food in your diet. Onion powder is an option, too.

Pretty much the same story as onions, with fructans again serving as the primary source of trouble.

Try this: Cooking garlic can make you feel less bloated while still giving you many of the health benefits of the herb-like vegetable. Don’t be afraid to explore the rest of your spice rack, too!.

Fructose, the sugar that makes these easy-to-find fruits so tasty, can make digestion harder and cause bloating. Apples and pears can also be high in hard-to-process fiber if you eat the skin.

(On a side note, apples can also aid digestion by limiting constipation. The key here is moderation.)

Tips to try: Peeling the fruit can help, as can cooking it. Fruits such as bananas, berries and citrus are less apt to lead to bloating, too.

That’s the problem right there in the first sentence: “Your body responds best to food that is natural,” says Czerwony. “If something is artificially made, your body has more trouble processing it. ”.

Tips to try: Lean on natural sweeteners such as honey, agave nectar, monk fruit or maple syrup. If you have diabetes and are looking to avoid natural sugars, try the plant-based sweetener stevia.

Some people really enjoy a well-cooked steak, a juicy burger, or a kielbasa. But your digestive system might not love these foods as much as you do.

It can take a while for your body to break down foods that are high in fat, like beef, pork, and anything fried. That’s why you often feel stuffed for a long, long time after downing a fatty dish.

Tips to try: Try limiting fast food meals and meat consumption.

Beer is carbonated, which — as previously mentioned — can lead to bloating. It’s also made with hard-to-digest grains such as wheat and barley (also noted previously). Plus, it’s alcohol, which has its own set of digestive issues.

Add it all together and your odds of a swollen belly seem pretty high.

Try these tips: If you want to drink something adult, wine or spirits are less likely to make you go belly-up.

How to stop farting and reduce gas in stomach bloating

FAQ

Why does pork make me so gassy?

Can pork cause digestive problems?

What causes foul smelling gas?

Can pork cause bloating?

Additionally, pork contains high amounts of fat, which can slow down the digestive process. This can lead to feelings of fullness, discomfort, and bloating. Some people may also be allergic to pork or have a sensitivity to it, which can cause digestive issues.

Why is pork not recommended to eat?

This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.

How to reduce gas & bloating from eating pork?

Another way to reduce the occurrence of gas and bloating from eating pork is to marinate the meat before cooking. Marinating pork in an acidic solution, such as vinegar or citrus juice, can help break down the proteins and make it easier to digest.

Can pork upset your stomach?

If you’ve ever experienced an upset stomach after eating pork, you’re not alone. Many people complain of digestive discomfort and symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, or stomach pain after consuming pork. While the exact reasons can vary from person to person, there are several key factors that may contribute to why pork can upset your stomach.