Vegetarian Advice: Beans & Gas Attacks

Question: New Vegetarian Has Gas After Eating Beans. Any Feedback?

Thank you so much for the Vegetarian Reports. I am new to this all, about a month into a vegetarian diet. I have given up meat, poutry, eggs, dairy. Although I have a little seafood, that is something I think I can do without too. I have switched over to a mostly organic diet as well.

I do feel better, I just have one issue, that is not addressed in the becoming vegan books that I've been reading. I find that when I eat beans or even a veggie burger I am extremely gassy.

I work in a doctors office and after lunch has lead to some embarassing situations. Do you have any advise about this? I would greatly appreciate any feedback. - K.C.

Savvy Vegetarian Advice:

Dear K. C.,

I've attached the SV Bean Report for you - that should give you a lot of helpful info about cooking and eating beans, and making the transition to a bean based vegetarian diet.

I've always found veggie burgers gassy, I think it's the combo of TVP (soy isolate), garlic, onions and whatever food additives might be in there. I try mostly to eat bean dishes that I produce in my own kitchen - not always possible, I know.

If you must eat out for lunch, you'll encounter all of the worst gas producing bean productions in the land. When I worked outside my home, and commuted or travelled, I brought my own food as much as possible. There was always a microwave around somewhere.

When I eat out, I favor ethnic restaurants, Indian, Italian, Chinese, or Thai - they seem to be best for the vegetarian bean and gas problem.

Savvy Vegetarian has some good bean recipes. Here's a list of SV recommended cookbooks

Hope your digestion improves soon! Judith Kingsbury, Savvy Vegetarian

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