I suffer from a lot of bloating and flatulence and have a sore stomach almost every day. I'm a very fast eater, could this be contributing?
Eating too fast can mean swallowing more air, which leads to more gas and thus bloating. Slow down your eating and chew your food thoroughly for better digestion.
Having smaller, more frequent meals rather than large meals will also help. An intolerance to wheat or gluten (gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and to a lesser degree, oats) is quite common and people who have a food intolerance may experience symptoms ranging from sore tummies, to bloating, fatigue and/or skin problems. Bloating can also be caused by an intolerance to dairy products, some food additives or even eating too much dried fruit. Before you exclude dairy or gluten from your diet, you would be best advised to consult a nutritionist or dietitian and do so under their supervision.
Sometimes a lack of fibre or water in your diet can create digestion problems. Stress can also play a big role in healthy digestion. Fibre in your diet cleans your digestive tract. Because of its bulkiness, it sweeps your digestive tract and colon like a broom, cleaning out toxins, carcinogens, fatty deposits and cholesterol. Aim for a diet high in fresh, raw foods. Prepare your vegetables with the least amount of cooking as enzymes can be destroyed through overcooking. Bloating can also be a problem if you are lacking in enzymes needed to digest your food properly and you may benefit from taking a course of digestive enzymes. A combination of digestive enzymes and probiotics provides excellent relief from digestive issues.
While all of the above are the more common reasons for feeling bloated, there are other conditions which can lead to tummy aches. An appointment with a nutritionist or other health practitioner can help uncover why you are having problems and come up with strategies to improve your digestive health. Usually all it takes is a simple change of diet.