How to Stop Your Stomach from Growling

A growling stomach can certainly be annoying, especially if you are in the middle of something important. The Greeks called it “borborhygmi.” Although it is just the normal sound of your intestinal tract squeezing food through your digestive system, there are ways of turning the volume down on this process. Eating something is the simplest cure, but you may also want to avoid swallowing excessive air, skip carbonated beverages, and modify your diet.^{[1]XResearch source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Quieting a Loud Stomach

Download Article

1
Take a deep breath before your stomach growls. Just before you feel your stomach rumbling, take a deep breath. Hold your breath for ten seconds, and then breathe out. When you take a deep breath, your diaphragm pushes down on your stomach. When pushed on, the stomach acts like a water balloon and protrudes in the opposite direction.^{[2]XResearch source}
- This may help with digestion by mobilizing the stomach contents and also helping air move through to the small intestine.
If you are nervous because of a meeting at work or a test at school, you might want to take a trip to the bathroom before the big event. Nervousness and anxiety increases the activity in your gut, so you may have to use the bathroom a little sooner than usual.^{[3]XResearch source}
Advertisement
Your stomach may be telling you that you need to eat. Although eating isn't always the answer to a growling stomach, it will sometimes solve the problem. Since the squeezing of your intestinal tract gets louder when your small intestine is empty, you could turn the volume down by giving it some food to digest.^{[4]XResearch source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Avoiding Air in the Stomach

Download Article

1
Eat with your mouth closed and chew thoroughly. One of the best ways of avoiding a growling stomach is by eating with your mouth closed and chewing thoroughly, which will prevent excess air from entering your digestive tract. As it turns out, there was a reason your parents told you to eat with your mouth closed.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Avoid large mouthfuls, which tend to be more difficult to digest.^{[6]XResearch source}
2
Don't talk and eat at the same time. When you talk and eat simultaneously, you swallow too much air. Since excessive air in your stomach can lead to growling noises, you should avoid talking while you are eating. So, focus on your food and save your voice for after dinner.^{[7]XResearch source}
- If you are in a social situation, try taking smaller bites, chewing properly, swallowing, and then voicing your thoughts.
If you are in the habit of eating protein bars or other snacks while you are exercising, kick this habit. You'll probably swallow excessive air while eating and exercising.
4
Drink water instead of carbonated beverages. Pop, beer, mineral water, and other carbonated beverages contain little gaseous bubbles. Although carbonated beverages can be tasty, you'll end up consuming too much air with your meal if you drink them with lunch or dinner. They may end up giving you a growling stomach. Choose water instead, which actually aids in digestion.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Don't use a straw. A straw may lead you to consume too much air with your drink. Instead, drink straight from the glass.^{[9]XResearch source}
Consult with your healthcare provider to determine how much water you should be drinking daily based on your health and activity level.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
Smoking can also lead to excessive gas in your stomach, which causes growling noises. Since smoking is also associated with a range of other health problems, you should consider kicking the habit.^{[11]XResearch source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Eating Well

Download Article

Fuel your day with more frequent meals spread throughout the day. Instead of one or two large meals, eat three or four small meals.^{[12]XResearch source}
2
Get protein in your diet. Try to eat more protein in the morning, such as eggs for breakfast. And get some protein at lunch, such as a meal with beans, legumes, meat, and fish. If you don't get enough protein, you may crave foods that lead to a gaseous stomach, such as high-sugar foods.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Avoid eating out of boredom or stress. Try to eat healthy meals and resist the urge to snack on high-sugar foods.^{[14]XResearch source}
3
Eat a balanced diet. A well-balanced diet will keep your stomach happy and quiet. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as healthy grains such as brown rice. A well-rounded diet with sufficient protein, carbohydrates, and fat will reduce cravings for sugary snacks, which are often associated with a growling stomach.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Make a conscious effort to eat more fruits and vegetables throughout the day, and lower your intake of processed foods that contain sugar, preservatives, and additives.
- Make sure you eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables per day.^{[16]XTrustworthy SourceNational Health Service (UK)Public healthcare system of the UKGo to source}
- If you tend to eat a lot of fiber, you may want to lower it. Although fiber is healthy, it is relatively more difficult to digest and could lead to a growling stomach.
4
Avoid fructose and artificial sweeteners. Since gas is released as a byproduct when you digest artificial sweeteners and fructose, you should avoid products that contain these ingredients. Skip the diet soda and moderate your consumption of gum, candy, and desserts that are high in fructose.^{[17]XResearch source} In addition, check the following food products to make sure they do not contain artificial sweeteners:
- Yogurt.
- Breakfast cereal.
- Cough syrup.
- Zero calorie drinks.
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Frozen yogurt.
- Baked goods.
- Prepared meats.
- Nicotine gum.
5
Avoid dairy if you are lactose intolerant. If your stomach is missing the enzyme lactase and you drink some milk or consume other dairy products, you may experience a lot of gas. Your stomach will gurgle or make other sounds. To avoid this scenario, avoid eating any dairy products.^{[18]XResearch source}
- If you experience any bloating, gas or abdominal pain after eating dairy products, you may be lactose intolerant.
- If you are lactose intolerant, the best cure is to avoid eating dairy altogether and choose lactose free products.
6
Drink green tea instead of coffee. Coffee is highly acidic and will increase your stomach's acidity level. An excessive amount of coffee can lead to a growling stomach, especially when your stomach is empty. Limit your coffee intake as much as possible, and switch to drinking green tea.^{[19]XResearch source}
- Green tea contains caffeine, as well as compounds and antioxidants that are more soothing for your stomach than coffee.
7
Drink a soothing cup of herbal tea. There are many teas that can help calm a growling stomach. After eating, enjoy a cup of tea.^{[20]XResearch source} Rather than your regular cup of caffeinated black tea, choose one of the following stomach soothing teas:^{[21]XResearch source}
- Peppermint tea soothes the liver and improves digestion.
- Ginger tea is known to cure bloating and has a calming effect.
- Fennel tea is delicious and can be used to treat bloating and loss of appetite.
- Rooibos or bush tea is known to relieve stomach aches.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Exercise on a regular basis. Exercising regularly encourages healthy bowel movements by keeping food moving through your digestive system, which can help prevent your stomach from growling.^{[22]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
If your stomach is growling frequently as a result of excess gas, ask your doctor about taking activated charcoal.^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
If you have a big test or presentation, try to eat a bit more conservatively.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Consult with your healthcare provider prior to making any sudden changes to your diet, fitness routine, and lifestyle. Your healthcare provider will perform an examination, and make recommendations on how you can improve digestion and stop your stomach from growling based on your personal health situation.
Thanks
Helpful9 Not Helpful2
If your growling stomach is accompanied by abdominal cramps and inflammation, you may have Crohn's disease. Ask a doctor about your symptoms.^{[24]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
If your stomach growling comes alongside diarrhea, bloating, cramping or constipation, you may be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. See a doctor for a diagnosis.^{[25]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0