If you experience sudden digestive issues hours after eating turkey, food poisoning may be to blame.
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There's nothing like a delicious turkey dinner — that is, unless your meal leaves you with an upset stomach. So, does turkey cause gas, stomach cramps or other digestive issues?
It's possible that turkey can contribute to an upset stomach. Here are four reasons why you may have gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal cramping, bloating and gas after eating turkey.
If you have stomach cramps or gas after eating turkey, it may have more to do with how you ate, rather than what you ate. That's because you can swallow excess air when you eat too fast, which — you guessed it — can lead to gas and gas pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The fix? Tuck into your turkey a little more slowly to avoid swallowing too much air.
If you have stomach issues every time you eat turkey and other meat, you may have a meat allergy. Though this type of allergy is rare, it does occur, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).
Besides abdominal cramping, a meat allergy can cause symptoms like:
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Tightness in throat
- Swelling, often on your mouth and lips
- Weak pulse
- Pale or blue coloring of the skin
- Hives
- Dizziness
- Confusion
It's also important to consider the other foods, condiments and spices included in the turkey dish you ate, as you may be experiencing a reaction to another ingredient. Per the Mayo Clinic, common food allergens include:
- Shellfish like shrimp, lobster and crab
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts like walnuts and pecans
- Eggs
- Cow's milk
- Wheat
- Soy
The fix? Avoid turkey (or the food in the dish that triggered a reaction) to prevent potentially dangerous allergic symptoms.
Warning
Some people may have a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which causes your throat to close up and makes it difficult to breathe, per the ACAAI. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.
3. You Have a Food Intolerance
If turkey causes gas or stomach upset frequently, a food intolerance may be to blame. This is when you have difficulty digesting certain foods, per the National Health Service, and can lead to symptoms like:
- Stomach pain
- Gas
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
- Skin rash or itching
According to the Mayo Clinic, you may have a food intolerance for the following reasons:
The fix? If you regularly have gastrointestinal issues like cramps, gas or diarrhea after eating turkey, it may be best to skip the dish.
Food Allergy vs. Intolerance
A food intolerance is different than a food allergy. Here's how you tell them apart: An allergy causes a range of symptoms (including digestive, respiratory and skin-related issues), whereas an intolerance is typically less severe and mainly produces digestive symptoms, per the Mayo Clinic.
4. You Got Food Poisoning
An isolated instance where you develop digestive issues several hours after eating turkey may be related to food poisoning.
Foodborne illness occurs when you eat something contaminated with an infectious organism like a parasite, bacteria or virus, according to the Mayo Clinic. Raw or undercooked turkey or turkey left at room temperature for too long may allow these disease-causing organisms to flourish.
Symptoms of food poisoning can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Fever
The fix? Handle your turkey safely, and make sure to properly cook meat before you eat it.
Warning
Most cases of food poisoning resolve on their own within a few days. But if you have bloody vomit or stool, have diarrhea for more than three days or experience extreme pain, visit your doctor, per the Mayo Clinic.
FAQs
Other Thanksgiving favorites full of sodium include gravy and, despite its healthy reputation, even turkey. Check your bird before you leave the grocery store to make sure it's organic and pesticide-free. Additives like these cause digestive issues and water retention, which can increase bloating.
Why am I so gassy after eating turkey? ›
Other Thanksgiving favorites full of sodium include gravy and, despite its healthy reputation, even turkey. Check your bird before you leave the grocery store to make sure it's organic and pesticide-free. Additives like these cause digestive issues and water retention, which can increase bloating.
Is turkey bad for digestion? ›
Lean meats and other sources of protein
People tend to digest main courses of lean protein well. This can include: chicken. turkey.
Why do I feel sick after eating turkey? ›
Improperly handling and undercooking poultry are the most common reasons people get sick from chicken and turkey, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Does sliced turkey give you gas? ›
Non-gassy foods include: Red meat, poultry, or fish.
What are the side effects of eating turkey? ›
There are many pathogens associated with turkey, including clostridium perfringens, campylobacter, and salmonella. These can cause diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, and can last a few hours or a few days.
Why am I so intolerant to turkey? ›
Poultry meat allergy is a rare food allergy in humans caused by consumption of poultry meat (commonly chicken and turkey) whereby the body triggers an immune reaction and becomes overloaded with immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. It can co-occur with egg allergy but more often occurs without allergy to poultry eggs.
What are the disadvantages of eating turkey meat? ›
Turkey can be high in sodium. Some meat, particularly prepackaged slices, can be processed and contain other substances. Turkey skin is high in fat. Research suggests large amounts of tryptophan can make you sleepy.
Is turkey gut friendly? ›
An international team of researchers led by McMaster University has found that tryptophan, an amino acid present in high amounts in turkey, combined with some probiotics, may help them heal and respond better to a gluten-free diet.
What does eating turkey do to your body? ›
Turkey provides the amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repair, and its micronutrients can support brain function, energy production, immune health, and more. It has a great nutrition profile, offering many health benefits during the holidays and beyond.
There is no single treatment that will speed up recovery, Dibba said. It takes time for your body to flush out the toxins causing the food poisoning, usually 24 to 48 hours. To keep yourself comfortable and avoid dehydration, Majlesi recommended staying constantly hydrated.
How long does it take for turkey to leave your stomach? ›
But in a normal, omnivorous diet, the meat will complete its journey through your digestive system in 12 to 48 hours, along with everything else.
What can make you sick from turkey? ›
Turkey and its juice can be contaminated with germs that can make you and your family sick. Raw turkey can have Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter, and other germs. Whether you're cooking a whole bird or a part of it, such as the breast, you should take special care to prevent food poisoning.
Why does turkey make me so gassy? ›
If you have stomach cramps or gas after eating turkey, it may have more to do with how you ate, rather than what you ate. That's because you can swallow excess air when you eat too fast, which — you guessed it — can lead to gas and gas pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Can turkey give you indigestion? ›
Many of the foods traditionally served at holiday meals are also some of the hardest to digest. Turkey, gravy, potatoes, and pie are just a few of the foods that provoke unpleasant symptoms of heartburn.
What meat makes you gassy? ›
Fatty foods, including pork and beef
Fatty foods slow down digestion, which can leave them festering in your gut, fermenting and getting pongy. Fatty meats are doubly tricky because they are rich in the amino acid methionine, which contains sulphur.
What Thanksgiving food makes you gassy? ›
Foods high in fat – stuffing, buttery mashed potatoes, pecan pie – take longer to empty from your stomach. Eating large portions of them can contribute to bloating. Focus on vegetables. Fill half your plate with green salad and other vegetables so you don't overdo the rich side dishes.
Why do I get extreme gas after eating meat? ›
Fatty foods, including pork and beef
Fatty foods slow down digestion, which can leave them festering in your gut, fermenting and getting pongy. Fatty meats are doubly tricky because they are rich in the amino acid methionine, which contains sulphur.
What is Turkish tummy? ›
This 'Turkish tummy'syndrome is often put down to food poisoning when actually it is nothing of the sort.It can be brought on by an accumualation of several factors-different foods,perhaps slightly more alcohol than normal,different daily routine,more/less active than normal,not enough water,later nights etc etc.
What are the symptoms of eating bad turkey? ›
Symptoms of food poisoning often include upset stomach, diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start within hours or several days of eating the food. Most people have mild illness and get better without treatment.
