Those feelings of tightness and swelling in the stomach are known as bloating. Bloating has a number of different causes, including water retention, intestinal gas and hormones. If women experience bloating during or just prior to menstruation or as a result of menopause, hormones, rather than food, is typically the cause. If the bloating is experienced routinely after meals then food may be a factor. If the symptoms are severe, you should see a doctor. Most mild food-induced bloating is a normal reaction to digestion of carbohydrates.
Allergy
If bloating is an almost daily occurrence, even when you do not eat tomatoes, then this fruit is likely not the only cause. If eating tomatoes co-occurs with bloating, but not other carbohydrates, you may have a food allergy. Other symptoms of tomato allergies can include lips tingling, runny nose, canker sores, bed wetting, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. You should seek immediate medical attention if you are having a severe reaction, as this could result in chest constriction or anaphylactic shock. The cause of tomato allergies is a reaction to the protein in the seeds, skin and juice of the tomato, especially with fresh tomatoes. People with tomato allergies often are also allergic to potatoes. If you suspect you have a tomato allergy, have an allergist perform some tests to confirm.
Intolerance
If you do not appear to be experiencing allergic symptoms, you may be tomato intolerant. With tomatoes intolerance is more common than allergy. If you are intolerant to tomatoes, you can probably eat a small amount without experiencing a reaction. Symptoms of intolerance include bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort. The key to managing intolerance is through food combining.
Food Combinations
Sometimes it is what you eat with tomatoes that may be causing the bloating, rather than tomatoes alone. Fruits typically take only an hour to digest. Vegetables can take two hours, starches can take three hours and proteins can take four hours. Certain food combinations lead to the more easily digested foods like tomatoes actually taking longer to digest because they are blocked by the harder to digest foods. Different foods also can use different digestive juices which can counteract each other. You should eat fruits such as tomatoes first, optimally an hour before other foods, depending on the severity of your intolerance. Eat proteins and starches with vegetables to further optimize digestion. You should eat vegetables with proteins or starches but never with both. Drinking water with meals can dilute gastric juices and further exacerbate the problem.
Minimizing Bloating
If bloating symptoms are mild and you love tomatoes, you may want to learn to live with it. Try to minimize other habits such as swallowing air, not chewing properly and eating junk food that can make the problem worse. You may find it helpful to take an over-the-counter digestive enzyme or enzymatic products such as Acidophilus, Beano or Bifio. Chamomile tea may be soothing. Ginger and peppermint are also thought to be helpful to digestion. Consult a doctor before beginning any supplemental regime.
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