If you often find yourself passing gas, one of these surprising foods is probably behind the issue.
While nothing on this list should be strictly off-limits, as farting is a normal part of the digestive process, it’s always good to know how the food we eat affects our bodily functions.
Additionally, you may want to cut back on triggers if constant flatulence is impacting your everyday life… or if you have a hot date coming up and don’t want to spoil the romance with a bout of wind-breaking.
It’s not just fried food, snacks and fizzy drinks on the list either – all sorts of ingredients can aggravate your bowels.
Chicken, duck and turkey are all high in sulphur compounds – the same ones that give farts their notorious smell.
‘While poultry is generally considered a lean protein source, some individuals may experience flatulence after consuming poultry,’ nutrition coach and plant-based chef Lisa Marley, tells Metro.co.uk.
‘This can be due to the high protein content in poultry, which can produce gases during digestion.’
Garlic, onions, leeks, scallions all contain compounds called fructans, which are fermentable carbohydrates some people find hard to digest.
Because the human digestive system cannot metabolise fructans, they travel to the large intestine largely undigested. Bacteria in the gut microbiome then ferments the food once in the large intestine, resulting in strong flatulence.
‘When these compounds reach the colon, they are broken down by bacteria, leading to the release of gas,’ Lisa explains. ‘This gas production can cause flatulence and bloating in individuals who are sensitive to these foods.’
The amino acid methionine found in beef contains sulphur, which the body turns into hydrogen sulphide, giving rise to farts.
Lisa says: ‘Beef and pork are high in saturated fats and can be difficult for the digestive system to break down. When these meats are not fully digested, they can produce gases in the colon, leading to flatulence.
‘Additionally, red meats like beef and pork contain certain compounds that can contribute to gas production during digestion.’
You’ll usually find these in fizzy drinks that are, of course, carbonated. This extra gas in your digestive tract has to leave somehow, which may cause burping and flatulence.
But it’s not just the bubbles making you toot, as Lisa explains: ‘Artificial sweeteners like stevia and aspartame are known to be difficult for the body to digest.
‘Some individuals may be more sensitive to artificial sweeteners and experience increased flatulence after consuming products containing these additives.’
‘Fibre-rich foods like broccoli, asparagus, brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain carbohydrates that are not fully digested in the small intestine,’ says Lisa.
‘Instead, these carbohydrates pass into the colon where they are fermented by bacteria, producing gas as a byproduct.’
The day after a big holiday feast, it’s common to experience some digestive discomfort like bloating and gas Turkey often takes the blame as a culprit for these issues, but is this reputation deserved? Let’s take a closer look at the connection between eating turkey and flatulence
Why Does Food Cause Gas?
To understand if turkey causes gas, it helps to first review how gas is produced during digestion in general Gas mostly develops from two sources
- Swallowed air while eating or drinking
- Fermentation of undigested carbohydrates by gut bacteria
When we gulp down food or beverages too quickly, we end up swallowing extra air which then travels through the digestive tract. The bacteria in our intestines also feed on fibers and sugars that aren’t fully broken down. Their fermentation process releases gases like carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen as byproducts.
These gases build up in the intestines until eventually released through belching or passing gas out the rectum. Gas production and release is a normal bodily function, but excess gas can lead to bloating, cramps and flatulence.
Does Turkey Have Gas-Causing Components?
Turkey contains certain compounds that may contribute to increased gas production:
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Protein – Turkey is high in protein which contains sulfur-containing amino acids. These sulfur compounds are thought to make gas smell more unpleasant.
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Raffinose – Turkey contains the complex sugar raffinose, which humans lack the enzyme to fully digest. When raffinose reaches the colon, gut bacteria ferment it and release gas.
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Fiber – Dark turkey meat has more myoglobin than white breast meat, providing slightly higher fiber content that can also cause gas.
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Fat – The high fat content of turkey skin may be hard for some people to digest, leading to gas or diarrhea.
So in theory, turkey does have some gas-producing components. But other factors play a bigger role in post-holiday flatulence.
Holiday Eating Habits That Promote Gas
While turkey may contribute somewhat to post-Thanksgiving gassiness, our overall holiday eating habits have a greater impact:
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Overeating – Consuming larger than normal portions leads to excess food in the intestines, giving gut bacteria more to ferment into gas.
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Rapid eating – Wolfing down food quickly causes more swallowed air and subsequent gas and bloating.
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Fatty foods – High-fat foods like gravy, butter, pie and whipped cream delay stomach emptying and may cause indigestion.
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Rich desserts – Cheesecake, pecan pie and other dense treats are high in fat, dairy and complex carbs that take longer to break down, producing gas in the process.
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Alcohol – Carbonated beverages like beer or champagne, plus cocktails made with soda, add bubbles and gas to your digestive tract.
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Unfamiliar foods – Items you don’t normally eat but indulge in over the holidays can surprise your digestive system and cause gas until your gut bacteria adjust.
Tips to Prevent Post-Turkey Gas
To help minimize turkey-related and holiday-induced flatulence:
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
- Limit portion sizes of heavy foods
- Choose lean turkey meat over skin
- Avoid or limit high-fat, creamy foods
- Stay hydrated and limit carbonated drinks
- Save room for veggies to aid digestion
- Take a probiotic supplement to support gut bacteria
- Go for a walk to stimulate digestion
- Relax and destress to improve gastrointestinal function
When Gas Requires Medical Attention
Occasional gas and bloating after holiday meals is normal, but if you experience:
- Frequent or severe abdominal pain
- Persistent diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Bloody stool
Seek medical advice to rule out potential conditions like food poisoning, gastroenteritis, diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome.
Is bloating a sign of cancer?
Sometimes bloating can be a symptom of bowel cancer, which is sometimes called colon or rectal cancer.
If the symptoms below persist for three weeks or more, consult your GP.
- Changes in your poo – softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is unusual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Bloating
- Tummy pain
- A pain or lump lump in your tummy
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling tired all the time but you’re not sure why
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10 Foods That Will Make You Fart or Pass Gas Like Crazy
FAQ
Does turkey make you gassy?
What meat makes you gassy?
What Thanksgiving food causes gas?
Why does poultry give me gas?
Do eggs make you fart?
Contrary to popular belief, eggs don’t make most of us fart. But they do contain sulphur-packed methionine. So if you don’t want smelly farts, don’t eat eggs alongside fart-causing foods such as beans or fatty meats. If eggs make you bloated and give you wind, you may be intolerant to them or have an allergy.
What causes excessive farting and is it serious?
Excessive farting is often caused by swallowing air while eating or drinking, and by the fermentation of undigested food in the gut. It’s usually not serious and can be managed with dietary changes, such as avoiding gas-producing foods like beans or carbonated drinks. However, if it’s accompanied by severe pain, diarrhea, or other unusual symptoms, consult a doctor to rule out underlying conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or food intolerances.
Why do I have gas after eating turkey?
If you have stomach cramps or gas after eating turkey, it may have more to do with how you ate, rather than what you ate. That’s because you can swallow excess air when you eat too fast, which — you guessed it — can lead to gas and gas pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. The fix?
Can eating turkey cause digestive problems?
An isolated instance where you develop digestive issues several hours after eating turkey may be related to food poisoning. Foodborne illness occurs when you eat something contaminated with an infectious organism like a parasite, bacteria or virus, according to the Mayo Clinic.