People with one symptom urged to wash baked beans – especially in the morning

You could remove the common problem without having to avoid your favorite food

Nutrition experts say one breakfast staple could be leaving you in discomfort all day with a swollen stomach. The nutrition team at Supply Life say that while beans are packed with fiber and protein, they also contain natural sugars that many people can’t digest properly.

These sugars move into the large intestine, where gut bacteria break them down, releasing gas and pulling in water, resulting in a swollen stomach. The natural sugars are FODMAPs – short, fast-fermenting carbohydrates found in many everyday foods. Beans are rich in one type called GOS.

In a sensitive gut, FODMAPs aren’t absorbed well. Instead, they ferment lower down, producing wind, bloating and cramps. Add toast as well as milk in your tea or coffee, and you may be stacking up several triggers at once.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is closely linked to FODMAP intolerance, affects between 5% and 20% of people in the UK. Gluten can be another hidden issue. Celiac disease affects around 1 in 100 Britons, but only a third are diagnosed — leaving about half a million people unaware they have it. Milk is another trigger for many.

The experts say you don’t need to give up your fry-up to feel better. Small tweaks make a big difference. If you use canned beans, drain and rinse them — some of the problem sugars wash away with the liquid. Keep portions modest and treat beans as a side, not the main event. Try swapping beans for grilled tomatoes and mushrooms for two weeks and note how you feel each day. If bread seems to be the issue, see your GP for proper coeliac testing before cutting gluten.

If milk is the problem, switch to lactose-free or reduce the amount, as many people tolerate small servings or hard cheeses without trouble. With a bit of detective work, you can enjoy the Full English you love — without the uncomfortable bloat that follows.