Ahem, can we talk about gas and bloating?

[MsJaneAusten]

I’ve been fully vegan since Jan 1 (did veganuary and then carried on) and am loving it. Over the last few weeks though, I’ve noticed I’m getting really bloated and suffering from flatulance. DH tells me I’m farting even more in my sleep than I am during the day I’m getting awful stomach aches and I look pregnant.

I didn’t notice this for the first few weeks, but for the last three weeks or so it’s been really bothering me. Is this likely to be a vegan thing? I didn’t think my diet had changed that much (was already veggie) but would oatly milk, vegan cheese etc change my bowels?

I’ve just googled and ordered some probiotic tablets. Does anyone have any other tips?

Thank you!

Have you been eating Quorn? This buggers up my guts. (Not sure if it's vegan am a veggie)

Or loads of pulses maybe

It’s a result of upping your fibre intake, which is really good for you but your guts can take a while to adjust. But adjust they will. Are you eating more pulses where you would have had eggs for example? It’s unlikely to be from dairy free milk and cheese. Probiotics a good day, as well as preobotics (naturally live foods) Sojade is the only vegan yogurt with live cultures, get that, also suerkraut, kombucha, all good for gut microbes

No more quorn than before. No quorn this week at all in fact and I’ve had some of my worst symptoms this week. I had refried beans in a wrap last night but hadn’t eaten pulses the rest of the week.

I honestly think the main change to my diet has been oatly and vegan cheese. Most of the rest is very similar to before.

Ok, I’ll look into sauerkraut and kombucha.

I’m also eating a lot more avocado. That can’t be bad, surely?

Soya does for me. I'm fine with the traditional fermented forms, like tofu, but the western versions, such as soya milk or TVP, give me the most appalling gas. Beans in general do, but soya is the very devil for me.

It's something to do with the way the soya is fermented during preparation. Soya yogurt is not fermented in the same way. Nonetheless, increasing the amount of helpful bacteria you have in your gut biome may help. Sauerkraut is an excellent source. But make sure that the only ingredients are cabbage and salt. Anything else, such as vinegar, will mean that the sauerkraut does not contain the right bacteria. You could try an acidophilus supplement. The best ones need to be kept in the fridge.

Activated or medicinal charcoal may help reduce the effects of the wind. You can get it (and the acidophilus supplement) in any decent health food shops.

Oh god. During vegan Jan I was on the verge of phoning elon musk to ask him to find a way to harness the power. I've always been a bit farty but this was stratospheric. It's gradually got better.

For me it's beans and lentils that make it worse. There is a Mexican herb called epazote that apparently helps with the impact of Has my flatulence. It's hard to find but I got some at the Cool Child Co.

Reassuring to know it’s not just me.

Update: I bought probiotic tablets and have been taking them for a week. Feel so much better!