Why Am I Nauseous After Eating? (2024)

Feeling nauseated after eating, if it happens frequently, could be a cause for concern. Nausea is influenced by a broad range of variables, including how much and what you eat, whether you have food intolerances, hormone imbalances, or a medical condition like a stomach virus or a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder.

Infection

Gastroenteritis (often called the stomach flu) is an infection that causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. As a result, a person may experience nausea, vomiting, cramping, watery diarrhea, and sometimes fever.

In most cases, these illnesses will resolve on their own within a few days.

Food Poisoning

Food poisoning can induce feelings of nausea and vomiting shortly after eating. For example, staphylococcal food poisoning from the bacterium Staphylococcus areaus is characterized by a sudden start of nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. It is usually accompanied by diarrhea and can occur within 30 minutes to 8 hours of eating.

Food Allergies

Nausea or vomiting can occur when a person experiences a mild to severe food allergy. A food allergy is an overreactive immune response to a specific food or substance in food. This can occur right after eating or hours later.

Food allergy symptoms can affect other body systems besides digestion, resulting in reactions including rashes, hives, swelling, and itchiness.

GI Issues or Disorders

Certain conditions or disorders of the digestive system can cause nausea after eating. Some conditions include:

• Gallbladder disease/Pancreatitis
• Obstruction of the intestine
• Dumping syndrome (food moving from the stomach into the small bowel too rapidly after eating)
• Celiac disease
• Ulcers
• Appendicitis

These conditions are associated with other symptoms, like abdominal pain and vomiting.

Eating High-Fat Meals

Feeling nauseated after eating a high-fat meal, like a cheeseburger and french fries, is not uncommon. Dietary fat can induce nausea through the release of gut hormones and peptides.

Ingestion of fat and protein stimulates the release of cholecystokinin (CKK) from the cells in the intestine. CKK slows down how quickly the stomach empties, which can increase the feelings of fullness and potentially cause nausea.

Eating Too Much

Eating too much in one sitting can put pressure on your stomach, resulting in indigestion. Indigestion may cause bloating, gas, nausea, or even vomiting.

Slowing down, watching portion size, and practicing mindful eating are some methods to avoid inadvertent overeating.

Acid Reflux

Nausea is a common symptom of acid reflux, along with a burning sensation in the chest and/or throat. Many people experience acid reflux or heartburn when they eat spicy or highly acidic foods, lie down too soon after a large meal, or snack right before bed.

Medications

Many medications cause nausea as a side effect.

For example, one of the side effects of Ozempic (semaglutide) is gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying), which causes food to move from the stomach into the small intestine too slowly. This can produce symptoms like nausea.

Drugs used to treat cancer and pain are well-known to increase the risk of nausea. Other medications with nausea as a side effect include:

• Antivirals
• Antibiotics
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Dopamine agonists
• Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure

Waiting Too Long Between Meals

Going long periods without eating, as with intermittent fasting, can increase the risk of unpleasant feelings, including nausea.

Also, those who have been fasting for a long time are more likely to overeat at the next meal, which can increase the risk of nausea.

Laxative Use

Many stimulant and osmotic over-the-counter (OTC) constipation remedies list nausea as a possible side effect.

Stimulant laxatives induce contractions of the intestines that can be uncomfortable or complicate other conditions. Osmotic laxatives draw water from the intestine to soften stools, which can cause electrolyte imbalance and dehydration.

Some may find psyllium to be a better option if nausea is an issue. Psyllium (a soluble fiber derived from seed husks) increases the weight and bulk of stools, which stimulates bowel movements.

Although psyllium may also cause nausea in some cases, it is considered safe and gentle enough to use every day.

Disordered Eating

Binge eating disorder (BED): Eating large amounts of food in a short time can cause nausea and other GI symptoms.

Bullemia (also bullemia nervosa): Is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating followed by purging or excessive exercise.Both binging and purging behaviors (e.g., excessive laxative or diuretic use) can produce nausea.

Anorexia (also anorexia nervosa): Can cause gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying). It causes feelings of nausea and abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and feeling full after only eating small amounts of food.

Hormones

Imbalances in hormones can impact every aspect of the body. One symptom is nausea. For example, many people are at increased risk of developing migraines before or during menstruation due to a rapid drop in estrogen. Migraines can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

In addition, those who have endometriosis can experience many symptoms, including nausea and bloating.

During the first trimester of pregnancy, when the body is adjusting to changes in hormones, experiencing nausea (and vomiting) is common. Hormones that are thought to play a role includeestrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), the hormone that pregnancy tests detect.

In rare cases, pregnancy can cause hyperemesis gravidarum, which is extreme, persistent nausea and vomiting. This is much less common than morning sickness, more severe, and can occur at any time during pregnancy.

How To Stop Nausea After Eating

First, you need to find out what is causing your nausea. Evaluate your diet, medications, medical history, and bowel habits.

If you are experiencing chronic nausea, consider keeping a diary or journal of what and when you are eating. You may discover that a specific food or type of food is causing you trouble.

Foods to eat when you have nausea, that may be better tolerated include:

• Crackers
• Dry white toast
• White rice
• Bananas
• Sweet potatoes
• Ginger, chamomile, or peppermint tea

Other measures that may help include:

• Eat regular meals, chew food well, and don't eat too fast.
• Avoid lying down after eating or tight clothing, especially if you have reflux.
• Increase fiber slowly and with adequate amounts of fluids.
  
• Take your medications as prescribed.
  

When To See a Healthcare Provider

Contact a healthcare provider if:

• You are unable to keep down fluids and/or have signs of dehydration
• Nausea is accompanied by pain, fever, weight loss or other symptoms
• You experience recurring nausea over more than a few days
• You find yourself avoiding nausea by restricting what you eat on a long-term basis
  

Summary

Nausea after eating can be caused by various factors, including underlying illnesses, food allergies, or reactions to medications.

Changing your dietary habits may help, but if your nausea is not related to diet, you will need to dig deeper. If you notice there is a pattern, or you are nauseous every time you eat, get a medical evaluation to rule out something serious.