What Fruits & Vegetables to Eat If You Have Gas

Decrease digestive discomfort and embarrassment by knowing what fruits and vegetables to eat if you have gas. Avoid foods high in gas-producing insoluble fiber like beans, peas and many fruits. In any case, gas is a natural by-product of digestion; according to the American Dietetic Association, "most people produce about 1 to 4 pints a day and pass gas about 14 times a day."

Papaya (Carica Papaya)

• Papaya can be eaten raw or made into a drink.

  Papaya is a sweet tropical fruit with dark green and yellow or orange skin, bright orange flesh and many small black seeds. It is originally from Central America. Papaya aids digestion because it contains papain, a digestive enzyme (commonly found in meat tenderizers), which helps to replace natural digestive enzymes which decrease as we age. This fruit is also beneficial for relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) because it reduces inflammation. Papaya is easy to prepare; cut fruits in half and remove the seeds, then slice or dice to the required size. These fruits juice easily and blend well for smoothies.
   

Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia)

• This foreign looking vegetable has a bitter taste.

  Bitter melon is a bright green bitter vegetable (a member of the gourd family), commonly found in Asian food stores, covered in ridges and knobs. The melon (also known as the balsam pear), features in cuisines around the world; the Spanish call it "balsamina," the French "assorossie," the Japanese,"goya," and the Chinese refer to it as either "ku gua," or "foo gwa." Bitter vegetables are general digestive tonics; they increase the amount of digestive juices. Enjoy the digestive benefits of bitter melon in recipes such as cooked bitter melon stuffed with a mixture of ground pork seasoned with coriander, black pepper and soy sauce, or try sautéing bitter melon with beef, red onions, garlic and tomatoes for a pasta sauce.
   

Pineapple (Ananas Comosus)

• A pineapple is sweet but acidic also.

  Pineapple is a tropical fruit native to Brazil and Paraguay. Fruits weigh up to 10 pounds and have a tough orange and green skin and a fibrous core, which is cut away, leaving yellow flesh that is sweet and juicy. Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain, which aids digestion and relieves gas by breaking down proteins. It is especially effective when eaten in part of a meal including meat (e.g. pork chops with pineapple sweet and sour sauce). To prepare pineapple, cut off the tough rind with a sharp knife and remove the hard inner core. Horizontal ring slices are used to decorate meat dishes and can be cooked, (e.g. on a barbeque) to increase the sweetness. Enjoy fresh pineapple in recipes like chicken salad in pineapple boats or make an original fruit salad basket by hollowing out half a pineapple and filling it with assorted fruits.