Rice make me bloated?

Bloating, a common discomfort, with multiple reasons. Food , stress and certain habits…all can result with the gas filled in your tummy. However, have you ever got bloated after eating rice? Rice is a common food. I am from the Middle East and it is considered a daily ingredient in our culture. It is carbohydrates rich and starchy., which could be considered the body’s first source of energy as it supplies it with glucose. And notice, I said FIRST not main nor essential. But, by the way, it is an ingredient that does not cause bloating, but as you read, you will know why you get bloated after eating it.

The science behind bloating

Bloating is caused by gas in the stomach and intestines. Could be because of the type of food you are eating or a habit or your way of eating. Eating fast, overeating, chewing gum, drinking with straw, eating food rich in fats and carbs are all causes of bloating. Medical conditions as well can result in noticed bloating.

What happens is that you may ingest gas when you’re eating fast, chewing gum or drinking with straw. Soda has a lot of gas that fills your gut with gas as well. Or you may eat a certain type of food that with digestion processes, gas is produced… mainly happens with fiber and food that the bacteria uses. Or it is just a sign from your body that something is wrong. Low stomach acidity, low bile production, bacterial overgrowth, all which causes gas and bloating.

Rice and carbohydrates can cause bloating

Honesty rice is considered the only starch that does not cause gas. So if you get bloated after eating rice, something else is the cause and not rice itself. Rice is considered low FODMAP.

FODMAP: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that the small intestine absorbs poorly. Therefore, bacteria are responsible for digesting them …resulting with gas. You can see some examples of both, high and low, of FODMAP food items

So if you faced a bloating after eating rice, it is because you ate too much or the addition were gas-producing items like onions, garlic, lentils…etc

Moreover, rice has resistant starch. I did mention them in Are potatoes bad for us? When it is cooled, the starches become resistant to the small intestines’ digestion. Then, bacteria in our large intestines take control of digesting them, producing gas that makes you feel bloated. But that’s only when it is cooled.

What to do when you feel bloated

The best way to avoid bloating is to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. If you’re worried about overeating at a meal, try eating small portions of different foods instead of large portions of just one thing: You’ll wind up feeling full with less food on your plate!

Another way is to look at the exact cause… Gas is produced when stomach acid is low, when there is not enough bile nor enzymes, bacterial overgrowth and all can be initiated and stopped by certain types of food. In addition, there is food known as gas-producing food. Just try to avoid them if bloating is so frequent and disturbing.

If you’re eating the right foods but still feel bloated, it may be time for a little exercise! A regular workout routine can help improve overall health and digestion by increasing your metabolism and boosting circulation.

Conclusion

Rice is one of the foods that DOES NOT cause bloating. Unless, you are eating it with gas producing food like onions and garlic. And mostly this is the case. Or there could be a problem in the digestive tract and as a response gas is produced.