I’ve eaten beans all my life and while they do make me a bit gassy, it’s not that big a deal.

My thoughts are that eating beans twice a month, your body may not have the chance to get used to them, and then gets hit with a large dose for a couple of days. Aside from beans, specifically, it sounds like you’re making a sudden major increase in your fiber consumption.

I think you might do better if you ate smaller amounts of beans more frequently (several times a week). Maybe, for example, you could have minestrone soup as a side dish for rotisserie chicken, rounded out with crusty bread. Think of beans as a side dish of supplementary casserole/soup component, rather than your main protein, until you get used to them.

I’ve never used it, but you might look at something like Beano to help you digest beans. When we discovered my daughter was lactose intolerant, she started taking a Lactaid whenever she had dairy, and that helped her a lot. I don’t know if Beano operates on a similar principle, but it might be worth talking to your doctor or googling.

I only really have a problem when I eat a lot of the same stuff. Like big bowl of broccoli, lentils, etc.

My solution has been blending. I prep "grains" on the weekend. I get inspo from those golden blends at TJs, etc. So it's going to be barley, farro, lentils, brown rice, whatever looks good. A can of chick peas. Mix it all together. Eat it with some mixed vegetables and tofu.

If I eat that consistently I don't feel like I need a big bowl o beans to be healthy. And it works for my stomach for some reason.

I never got diarrhea from legumes. Also, cooking beans twice per month seems like very few bean dishes. I would certainly suggest eating beans and legumes more often.

Just take X-gas. Legumes are healthy for you, but I can't say I've adapted. I eat a ton of fiber, including fruit, a ton of fruit. Bloating still happens sometimes, and now I have X-gas with me.

Anonymous wrote:I have the same problems with beans (all kinds), chickpeas, lentils and quinoa. Also peanuts. And split peas. They all wreak complete havoc on my digestive system. I really want to switch to a more plant based diet but this situation is stopping me. It’s especially frustrating because I actually really like all of the foods that are causing me problems.

Your body is telling you something about that kind of diet. Listen to it and feed it what it needs and wants, not some trendy diet.

I have the same problems with beans (all kinds), chickpeas, lentils and quinoa. Also peanuts. And split peas. They all wreak complete havoc on my digestive system. I really want to switch to a more plant based diet but this situation is stopping me. It’s especially frustrating because I actually really like all of the foods that are causing me problems.

If you eat a lot of fiber but not enough fat with it for the fiber to latch onto, your body will grow excessive amounts of bacteria in your intestines, which give off the gasses that make you fart.

Humans are not biologically meant to eat real high amounts of fiber, as ruminants and some herbivore leaning omnivores such as our simian relatives are able to do.

Yes, try taking a beano before first bite

Anonymous wrote: But I still get horrible gas and sometimes diarrhea when I eat them.

Any tips to adapting myself to these healthy foods? Right now we cook about 2 bean-based recipes a month and eat them for 2 days.

Soak them overnight before cooking. Pour off water.
Bring to boil for 10 min, pour off water.
Cook as desired after. Eat them with fatty meat like pork to further reduce gas.
(Generations of eating beans being of Hispanic origin.)

Anonymous wrote:My husband and sons love bean-based dishes and I want to love them. I know the health benefits and like the idea of eating less meat. We always soak the beans overnight, which is supposed to make them easier on your stomach. But I still get horrible gas and sometimes diarrhea when I eat them.

Certain varieties seem worse than others (black beans are the worst). I seem to be more ok with chickpeas and lentils. I know quinoa isn't a bean but it also wreaks havoc on my digestion.

Any tips to adapting myself to these healthy foods? Right now we cook about 2 bean-based recipes a month and eat them for 2 days.

Nope because I have avoided beans most of my life for the reasons above. Got GD during this pregnancy and was told beans were a great option...BS for me. They spike my BS so high for no benefit, lots of gas, etc. Not everyone can and should eat everything. If your body is giving you signs to not eat it, stop eating it.

Conversely I CAN eat a significant amount of potatoes with GD right now. This is just my n=1 advice but its a lot more personalized for nutrition then they tell you.

Anonymous wrote:I’m ok with beans and lentils, but chick peas make me miserable. I almost wanted to cry from gas after eating a chick pea salad lol.

I'm so sorry. That must have been agonizing. What did you take?

Wow seems like everyone is different

No I would have to live + sleep permanently in the bathroom if I ate them.

Anonymous wrote:You have to soak the beans overnight to get rid of the indigestible stuff.

Wait really? Is this just for sensitive people?? I an a vegetarian who has eaten tons of beans/legumes/lentils, and have never once in my life soaked them. No issues at all!

This is not a normal reaction. That sounds like an allergy or serious sensitivity.

I know someone with a pretty severe allergy to legumes, and stomach distress is a symptom of it. You may want to get this checked out.