"Gasless" Beans

The thought of flatulence has caused many to hesitate from eating beans and many who have eaten them suffer discomfort. Help is on the way!

There are three recommended natural ways to reduce the problem: 1) rinse after overnight soaking, then parboil for 5 minutes and rinse again; 2) cook the beans with a few caraway seeds; and 3) eating beans more often allows the system to become better able to handle them.

You may find that as you add more grains and beans to your diet, you have more intestinal gas. The good news is, your body will eventually adjust (as Dr. Ornish says "It will pass...") Until then, try this: Try putting a couple of slices of fresh ginger or a couple of teaspoons of powdered ginger in with the beans when they are cooking. It adds no taste, and removes the gas problem.

Researchers have evidently developed a gasless bean. There are also two products on the market, one a liquid whose maker claims a few drops does away with flatulence, the other a small charcoal pill taken with the meal. Those who have used them guarantee they alleviate the problem completely. The pills are available at drug stores.

When next encountering the mighty bean try one or all of these recommendations.