How to Avoid Smelly Gas While on a Date

If you're worried about smelly gas ruining a date, the best approach is to plan ahead.

Avoid foods you already know cause problems, eat slowly, go easy on carbonated drinks, don't overeat, and give your digestive system some time before the date begins. If you regularly deal with gas that smells bad but don't necessarily need to stop the gas itself, an odor-control product like Sneak a Squeak can also help take one worry off your mind.

Because dating is stressful enough without wondering whether that tiny pressure building in your stomach is about to become everybody's problem.

Why Do I Get Smelly Gas on Dates?

First, the date probably isn't causing your gas.

Although nerves can change how some people eat, drink, or experience digestive symptoms, intestinal gas is a normal part of digestion.

Gas enters the digestive tract primarily in two ways: by swallowing air and when bacteria in your large intestine break down carbohydrates that weren't completely digested earlier in the digestive process.

So that uncomfortable feeling halfway through dinner may have much more to do with what you ate, how quickly you ate it, or what you ate earlier in the day.

And then there's the smell.

Most people aren't actually terrified of the physical act of passing gas.

They're terrified of the moment five seconds later when the person sitting across from them suddenly stops talking and looks around the room.

That's an odor problem.

And gas production and gas odor are not exactly the same thing.

What Should I Avoid Eating Before a Date?

You don't need to spend date day surviving on crackers and bottled water.

But if you already know certain foods make you unusually gassy, this is probably not the day to challenge your digestive system.

Foods commonly associated with increased gas include:

• Beans, peas, and lentils

• Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables

• Certain fruits

• Dairy products, particularly for people who have trouble digesting lactose

• Whole grains and other high-fiber foods

• Foods containing certain sugar alcohols

• Carbonated drinks

These foods won't affect everyone the same way. One person's harmless dinner is another person's five-alarm digestive event.

That's why the most useful question isn't: "What foods cause gas?"

It's: "What foods cause gas for me?"

If you already know that ice cream, pizza, protein shakes, beans, or some other food reliably causes trouble, save it for a night when you're not sitting two feet away from someone you're trying to impress.

Does Eating Slowly Help Prevent Gas?

It can help reduce the amount of air you swallow.

Eating or drinking quickly, chewing gum, drinking fizzy beverages, and drinking through a straw can all increase swallowed air. That extra air can contribute to gas symptoms later.

So slow down.

Enjoy dinner.

Chew your food.

Have a conversation between bites.

Conveniently, this also makes you look considerably more normal than inhaling an entire plate of pasta in four minutes.

Should I Eat Less Before a Date?

If large meals tend to leave you bloated or gassy, a slightly smaller meal may help.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes that doctors may recommend smaller, more frequent meals for people trying to reduce gas symptoms.

That doesn't mean you need to skip dinner.

It just means date night might not be the ideal time to order the appetizer sampler, a 20-ounce ribeye, loaded potatoes, cheesecake, and a milkshake because "we're celebrating."

Your digestive system has limits.

Respect them.

Should I Avoid Soda Before or During a Date?

If you're prone to gas, it may be worth going easy on carbonated drinks.

Soda, beer, sparkling water, and other fizzy drinks contain gas, and carbonated beverages can increase gas in the digestive system.

Again, this doesn't mean everyone needs to avoid carbonation.

But if you're already someone who gets gassy easily, a giant soda probably isn't helping your cause.

What Can I Do Earlier in the Day?

One of the easiest ways to avoid an uncomfortable evening is to think about date night before date night actually starts.

If you know you have dinner plans at 7:00 p.m., pay a little attention to what you're eating at lunch.

Maybe today's not the day for:

Bean burritos at noon.

A protein shake at 2:00.

A bag of sugar-free candy at 3:30.

And then broccoli Alfredo for dinner.

That's not bad luck.

That's poor planning.

You don't need to obsess over your diet, but recognizing your personal triggers can make a huge difference.

If you're not sure what causes your gas, keeping a basic food and symptom diary for a few days can help reveal patterns. NIDDK specifically notes that a food diary can help identify foods or drinks associated with gas symptoms.

What If I Still Have Gas During the Date?

You probably will at some point.

Humans produce gas.

According to NIDDK, research suggests people commonly pass gas multiple times per day, and some people can pass gas considerably more often while still falling within a normal range.

So the goal doesn't necessarily need to be: "How can I make sure I don't fart for the next six hours?"

That's a difficult standard.

A more useful question may be: "How can I make sure it doesn't smell if I do?"

That's where odor control becomes different from traditional gas relief.

How Can I Keep My Gas From Smelling on a Date?

You have two basic options.

The first is reducing the things that contribute to particularly unpleasant gas.

That might mean changing what you eat, identifying foods you don't digest particularly well, or simply avoiding your known trigger foods before an important social situation.

The second approach is targeting the odor itself.

That's the reason we created Sneak a Squeak.

Sneak a Squeak isn't designed to stop your body from producing gas.

It isn't designed to prevent you from farting.

It's designed to help make the gas you do pass smell a whole lot less noticeable.

Which, on a date, is arguably the more important problem.

How Does Sneak a Squeak Help on Date Night?

Sneak a Squeak is an all-natural supplement created specifically to help neutralize unwanted flatulence odor.

It contains activated charcoal, chlorella, yucca root powder, and zinc, ingredients selected with odor control in mind.

A serving begins working in approximately two hours and can provide odor control for up to 12 hours.

That means you can plan ahead.

If your date starts in the evening, take Sneak a Squeak according to the package directions early enough to give it time to start working.

Then go to dinner.

Watch the movie.

Sit next to each other.

Take the long drive home.

Hang out on the couch.

You may still pass gas.

Sneak a Squeak doesn't mute the sound, so you're on your own there.

But if you can keep it quiet, the goal is that nobody has to know.

When Should I Take Sneak a Squeak Before a Date?

Because Sneak a Squeak generally begins working in about two hours, it's best to think about it before you're already sitting at the restaurant.

For example, if you're meeting your date at 7:00 p.m., taking a serving a few hours beforehand gives the ingredients time to begin working.

Follow the directions on the product packaging rather than waiting until you already have a problem.

Planning ahead is the entire point.

It's kind of like putting on deodorant before the date instead of halfway through dinner.

What Are the Best Date Ideas If I'm Feeling Gassy?

Sometimes the simplest solution is to pick a date that gives your digestive system a little breathing room.

A walk after dinner is a great example.

Mayo Clinic notes that physical activity can help move gas through the digestive tract.

It also happens to be a pretty solid date.

You can talk.

You aren't stuck in a tiny booth.

You're outside.

And if your stomach has opinions about dinner, being in the open air is infinitely preferable to being trapped in row seven of a packed movie theater.

Other good options might include:

• Walking around downtown after dinner

• Mini golf

• An outdoor festival

• Visiting a park

• Walking through a museum

• Browsing shops

• Going somewhere that lets you move around instead of sitting still for several hours

We're not saying you need to design your romantic life around fart ventilation.

But flexibility isn't a bad thing.

Is It Normal to Worry About Farting Around Someone You're Dating?

Of course.

Early dating is mostly two people carefully pretending they don't have bodily functions.

Nobody burps.

Nobody snores.

Nobody sweats.

Nobody has weird morning breath.

And absolutely nobody farts.

Then six months later you're arguing over who destroyed the bedroom at 2:00 in the morning.

Comfort comes with time.

But when you're just getting to know someone, there's nothing strange about wanting to avoid an embarrassing situation.

You don't have to feel guilty about wanting a little extra confidence.

That's what this is really about.

Not eliminating a normal bodily function.

Just removing one unnecessary thing to worry about.

What If My Gas Is Extremely Smelly All the Time?

Occasional smelly gas is normal.

But if your digestive symptoms suddenly change, become persistent, or come with other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or unexplained weight loss, talk with a healthcare professional. NIDDK recommends speaking with a doctor when gas symptoms are bothersome, suddenly change, or occur with other digestive symptoms.

Sneak a Squeak is intended to help with flatulence odor.

It isn't intended to diagnose or treat the underlying cause of chronic digestive symptoms.

The Bottom Line: How Do You Avoid Smelly Gas While on a Date?

If you want to avoid smelly gas on a date, keep it simple:

Know your trigger foods.

Avoid going overboard with foods that reliably cause problems.

Eat slowly.

Consider smaller portions.

Go easy on fizzy drinks.

Pay attention to what you've eaten earlier in the day.

And if the real problem isn't the gas itself but the smell, consider an odor-control option before the date begins.

You don't need a perfect digestive system to have a great date.

You just need your digestive system to stay out of the conversation.

That's exactly what Sneak a Squeak was made for.

Keep the date. Keep the butterflies. Lose the stink.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stop farting on a date?

You may not be able to completely prevent normal intestinal gas. Eating slowly, avoiding foods that reliably trigger your symptoms, limiting carbonated drinks, and avoiding unusually large meals may help reduce gas.

What should I eat before a date to avoid gas?

There isn't one perfect "no gas" diet because people respond differently to foods. The most useful strategy is avoiding foods you already know cause symptoms. Beans, cruciferous vegetables, certain dairy products, some fruits, carbonated drinks, and some sugar alcohols can increase gas in some people.

Why does my gas smell worse after certain foods?

Your intestinal bacteria break down undigested carbohydrates and create gas in the process. Diet and individual differences in digestion can affect both how much gas you produce and how noticeable it becomes.

Does Sneak a Squeak stop you from farting?

No. Sneak a Squeak is designed to reduce flatulence odor, not stop normal gas production.

How long before a date should I take Sneak a Squeak?

Sneak a Squeak generally begins working in approximately two hours. Follow the directions on the packaging and plan ahead so it has time to begin working before your date.

How long does Sneak a Squeak work?

Sneak a Squeak is designed to provide odor control for up to 12 hours.

Can nervousness cause gas before a date?

Nerves can change eating habits and may contribute to digestive discomfort for some people. For example, eating quickly or swallowing more air can contribute to gas symptoms. However, ongoing or severe digestive symptoms shouldn't automatically be blamed on nerves.

Is smelly gas normal?

Yes. Passing gas is a normal part of digestion, and unpleasant odor can occur. If your gas suddenly changes significantly or occurs alongside persistent pain, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, or other concerning symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional.