Farting is normal â the average person does it 5-15 times a day. In fact, having a lot of gas one day could be a sign of good health, as long as you don’t think about how uncomfortable or embarrassing it is. That’s because the foods that make you fart are usually complex carbs that are good for your heart and full of fiber. Your body can’t break these down, but the bacteria in your gut can. So which foods make you fart, which make your farts smelly, and when should you consult your doctor?.
Crispy, salty, smoky bacon is a beloved breakfast food for many. But its high fat content unfortunately also makes it a common culprit for digestive issues like bloating and gas If you’ve ever felt gassy or crampy after eating bacon, you’re not alone
Bacon contains several components that can lead to extra gas production during digestion. Understanding how bacon affects your gut can help you eat it less often and avoid the bad effects.
Why Bacon Causes Gas
There are a few reasons why bacon and other fatty meats tend to cause gas:
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Slowed digestion – High-fat foods like bacon take longer to move through the stomach and intestines This extended transit time allows more opportunity for colonic bacteria to ferment the fats, producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane gas as byproducts
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More fermentation—The high fat content of bacon makes it hard to fully digest and absorb. Undigested fats that reach the colon provide fuel for gas-producing bacteria.
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Fatty acid composition – Bacon contains saturated fats and medium-chain triglycerides that may encourage digestive issues more than unsaturated fats.
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Sulphur compounds – Bacon contains the amino acid methionine which breaks down into smelly sulphur compounds like hydrogen sulphide during digestion
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Nitrates – Bacon is cured with nitrates which some people find aggravates their digestive systems.
Other Causes of Gassiness After Eating
While fatty foods like bacon are infamous gas producers, there are many other dietary and lifestyle factors that can cause gas as well:
- Beans, lentils, legumes
- Dairy products
- Carbonated beverages
- Cruciferous vegetables
- High fiber foods
- Sugar alcohols
- Artificial sweeteners
- Chewing gum
- Drinking through a straw
- Eating too fast
- Aerophagia (swallowing air)
- Food intolerances
- Medical conditions like IBS
So if you still feel gassy even after avoiding bacon and other fatty meats, one or more of these other potential causes may be to blame.
Tips to Prevent Gas from Bacon
If you don’t want to give up bacon altogether, these tips can help you make it less gassy:
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Choose center-cut bacon with more meat and less white fat
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Cook bacon until very crisp to render more fat
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Bake bacon in the oven instead of frying
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Drain fried bacon on paper towels to absorb excess grease
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Limit portion size to 1-2 slices
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Avoid eating bacon on an empty stomach
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Balance bacon with non-gassy fruits and vegetables
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Take digestive enzymes to help break down fats
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Limit other gas-producing foods at the same meal
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Stay well hydrated to avoid constipation
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Take probiotics to support healthy digestion
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Get light exercise after eating to stimulate digestion
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Avoid lying down soon after eating bacon
Healthy Low-Fat Alternatives to Bacon
If you find you’re just too sensitive to enjoy bacon, even in moderation, there are some tasty lower-fat alternatives:
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Turkey bacon
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Prosciutto or ham
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Canadian bacon
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Beef or buffalo jerky
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Tofu “bacon”
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Tempeh bacon
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Coconut bacon
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Shiitake mushroom bacon
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Baked eggplant bacon
These provide a similar salty, savory, crispy satisfaction without all the fat and digestive misery of regular bacon.
When to See a Doctor
Occasional gas and bloating after eating is normal, but excessive or persistent symptoms could point to an underlying digestive problem that requires medical attention. See your doctor if you experience:
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Gas that significantly disrupts your daily life
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Gas accompanied by diarrhea or constipation
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Foul-smelling gas
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Unintended weight loss
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Fever or vomiting
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Blood in stool
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Persistent abdominal pain
Your doctor can help evaluate your symptoms, identify any medical conditions and provide appropriate treatment to get your digestive system functioning optimally again.
The Bottom Line
To sum up the key points on bacon and gas:
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Bacon is high in fat which slows digestion, allowing more time for gas production.
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Undigested fats, sulphur compounds and nitrates contribute to gassiness.
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Other dietary and lifestyle factors also cause gas, not just bacon.
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Proper preparation methods can help minimize gas from bacon.
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Substituting lower fat alternatives allows you to avoid most of bacon’s negatives.
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See a doctor if gas is excessive or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
So with some awareness and moderation, bacon can still be enjoyed occasionally without discomfort by many people prone to gas. Pay attention to your own tolerance level and use digestion-boosting tips at mealtimes.
Fatty foods, including pork and beef
Fatty foods slow down digestion, which can leave them festering in your gut, fermenting and getting pongy. Fatty meats are doubly tricky because they are rich in the amino acid methionine, which contains sulphur. Bacteria in your gut turn sulfur into hydrogen sulfide, which gives rotten eggs their wonderful smell. This gas also “enhances” the smell of gas from other foods you eat, not just meat.
There is a lot of fiber in beans and lentils, but they also have raffinose, a complex sugar that our bodies don’t handle well. When these sugars reach the intestine, they are used for energy by the gut, which makes hydrogen, methane, and even smelly sulfur.
Contrary to popular belief, eggs dont make most of us fart. But they do contain sulphur-packed methionine. So, if you don’t want stinky farts, don’t eat eggs with foods that make you fart, like beans or fatty meats. You may not be able to handle eggs or have an allergy if they make you gassy and wastey.
Onions, artichokes, garlic and leeks all contain fructans â carbs that can cause gas and bloating.
Dairy from cows and goats contains lactose, a sugar that can cause gas to build up. Also, about 65% of adults around the world are somewhat intolerant of lactose, which means that dairy can make them feel bloated and gassy.
Can you stop farting?
Fruits, vegetables, and pulses can give you gas, but it’s much more important to eat a lot of these foods every day than to get rid of wind. If you donât already eat fibrous foods, increasing the amount you eat too quickly might make you uncomfortable. Add fibre to your diet slowly to stop adverse effects.
Staying hydrated reduces the risk of constipation, which can cause excess gas. If a stool stays in your gut, it will keep fermenting, giving you extra gas that can smell really bad. Try to have a drink with every meal and keep hydrated throughout the day. The NHS also recommends drinking peppermint tea to relieve gas and bloating.
If you drink a lot of fizzy drinks, you’ll probably fart and burp more than if you don’t bother. The same goes for chewing gum or guzzling down a bowl of soup or cereal with a spoon. If you ingest air, it has to go somewhere.
12 foods and drinks that can cause BLOATING | Doctor O’Donovan explains…
FAQ
Why does bacon give you gas?
What food causes the most gas?
What meat makes you gassy?
Why am I extremely gassy all of a sudden?
What foods cause gas & bloating?
Avoid these problem foods for digestive health Foods like beans, broccoli, and cabbage have long been associated with gas and bloating, but other lesser-known culprits include mushrooms as well as artificial sweeteners which can cause flatulence (gas). Gas can be embarrassing, but everyone has it (and often more than they think).
What foods cause gas?
Some foods are heavier or denser and will simply take a longer time to digest. Fatty meat, such as bacon, often remains in your digestive tract long enough to ferment and cause an excess of gas. Your body will expel this gas through belching or flatulence. Many legumes are also associated with gas, including beans, peas and lentils.
Can beans cause gas?
Beans and legumes are known for causing gas. Beans contain high amounts of a complex sugar called raffinose, which the body cannot digest. Beans are also fiber-rich, and a high fiber intake can increase gassiness. Beans and legumes that may cause gas include, but are not limited to:
Is Bacon bad for You?
Bacon is considered a processed meat, which means it often contains additives and preservatives. Unfortunately, many of these ingredients have been found to have negative health effects. For instance, sodium phosphate is one of the most common additives you’ll find in bacon, and that has been linked to faster aging and possible vascular damage.