Bloating is an uncomfortable sensation although harmless that causes the stomach to distend and feel tight or full. It is important to note that fish and shellfish have low saturated fat and high amounts of omega-3 content, but some are allergic or intolerant to fish. The indications of an allergy usually affect the digestive tract which includes bloating, diarrhea, gas and stomach cramps. The sensation can make any individual wary of eating fish again, but there are measures to take to minimize the bloating as well as keep the healthy food in the diet.
Is allergy or intolerance?
Some adults are diagnosed with food allergy but most cases are due to food intolerance. When it comes to a food allergy, it typically starts during infancy while food intolerance starts in adulthood, but can momentarily develop as colic among infants.
A simple way to differentiate between the two conditions is by the symptoms that manifest. An allergic reaction is more severe and triggers digestive, skin, nasal, lung and throat issues that can manifest right away and affect more than one part of the body. As for intolerance, the symptoms might not show up right away and triggers digestive issues including bloating.
What to do for gas and bloating?
An individual can end up with gas by swallowing air while eating or digesting certain foods in the large intestine. The indications of gas include flatulence, burping, abdominal pain and bloating.
It is recommended to keep a dairy so that the individual can list down foods eaten and when the symptoms manifest to determine if fish is responsible for bloating. Always eat in a slow manner to reduce the amount of air being swallowed.
Avoid preparing fried fish or utilizing large amounts of butter while cooking. Once the intake of fat is reduced, the gas reaches the small intestines at a faster rate which minimizes the bloating.
What are the types of fish?
Always bear in mind that fish are categorized into 3 groups. An individual might be allergic to one group but could still eat from another without experiencing any symptoms.
- Mollusks include snails, clams, oysters, mussels, squid, octopus and scallops.
- Chordates include shark, fish ray, salmon, cod and tuna
- Antropods include lobster, crab, crayfish, prawns and shrimp
Other foods might also contain fish that can trigger symptoms of intolerance or allergy such as fish sauces, sushi, fish oils, Caesar salad, pasta sauces, seafood dips and prawn crackers.
Management
It is recommended to eat fish 2 times in a week. Remember that it has low saturated fat and high omega-3 fatty acid content for protection against heart diseases. For food intolerance, there is no need to completely eliminate the offending food from the diet.
In addition, intolerance is also dependent on the amount ingested. An individual might be able to indulge in a few bites but if he/she eats a whole piece of fish, it can trigger the symptoms. It is vital to check if fish is responsible for causing the bloating and learn the amount of fish that the individual can handle in a single seating.