As a fellow Italian sausage enthusiast I know how unpleasant it can be when one of your favorite foods leaves you racing for the bathroom. If you’ve ever felt your stomach rumbling after indulging in a delicious homemade meatball marinara or spicy sausage pizza, you’re not alone. In fact, Italian sausage is one of the most common culprits behind sudden diarrhea and other digestive upset.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why Italian sausage can wreak havoc on your gut. With insights from gastrointestinal experts and nutritionists, we’ll uncover what makes this savory meat a trigger for diarrhea in many people. From the high fat content to gut-irritating spices to sneaky preservatives, we’ll cover all the potential causes.
And for those who don’t want to give up their sausage subs, we’ll also provide helpful tips to manage diarrhea and reduce the risks. Let’s dive in to solve the mystery of why Italian sausage gives some people the runs!
What Makes Italian Sausage a Diarrhea Trigger?
Italian sausage contains a few key components that can irritate the digestive system or cause diarrhea in those with sensitive stomachs
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High Fat Content: Italian sausage is very high in fat, which can overload the digestive system and cause diarrhea. Just one link contains up to 23 grams of fat.
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Spicy Ingredients: The spices in Italian sausage, like red pepper flakes and paprika, contain capsaicin that can inflame the stomach lining.
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Added Preservatives: Preservatives like sulfites and nitrates help extend shelf life but can also provoke diarrhea.
According to Dr. Amanda Sheffield, a gastroenterologist, “The high amounts of fat, spice, and preservatives make Italian sausage hard to digest for some people, especially in large quantities.” Let’s explore each factor further.
All That Fat Makes Digestion Challenging
With up to 23 grams of fat in a single link, Italian sausage certainly packs a greasy punch. “High-fat foods require more digestion time and can overload your system, resulting in diarrhea,” advises nutritionist Maya Calloway.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fat intake to 13 grams daily, yet a single Italian sausage link already provides up to 8 grams. When your body struggles to break down all that fat, it can respond with urgent diarrhea.
Spicy Ingredients Irritate the Digestive Tract
Another key player is the spice content. Chili flakes, red pepper, paprika, and other zesty ingredients give Italian sausage its signature kick. But these spices also contain a compound called capsaicin that can irritate your digestive tract.
According to Sheffield, “Capsaicin stimulates intestinal peristalsis, causing food to move rapidly through your system before it’s fully digested. This leads to loose, watery stools.”
So if you’re prone to a sensitive stomach, the spicy spices in Italian sausage can trigger digestive distress.
Sneaky Preservatives Contribute to Diarrhea
Many types of pre-cooked Italian sausage contain added preservatives like sulfites, BHA, and sodium phosphate. These help extend shelf life but can provocate diarrhea and other issues.
“Sulfites are a major trigger for digestive upset and diarrhea in those with sensitivities,” advises Sheffield. “Even in small amounts, these preservatives can disrupt digestion.”
However, fresh Italian sausage typically doesn’t contain these extra preservatives. So opting for fresh links instead of pre-cooked may help reduce diarrhea risk.
Tips to Prevent Sausage-Related Diarrhea
If you’re an Italian sausage devotee, a few small tweaks can help you continue enjoying this savory meat without digestive woes:
- Choose fresh sausage without preservatives when possible
- Opt for chicken, turkey, or plant-based sausage instead
- Limit portion sizes to 1-2 small links
- Have some probiotic yogurt after eating sausage
- Stay hydrated with water and electrolyte drinks
- Add gut-friendly spices like fennel, rosemary, oregano
- Avoid consuming fatty or sugary foods with your sausage
“Moderating your intake is key,” advises Calloway. “Having just a few bites of sausage as part of a larger meal can help prevent overload and diarrhea.”
Sheffield agrees: “Practicing portion control, hydrating properly, and adding gut-soothing foods into your diet can help mitigate unwanted symptoms.”
When to See a Doctor About Sausage Diarrhea
Occasional diarrhea that resolves in 24-48 hours usually isn’t a major cause for concern. But if your symptoms are severe or persist longer than 2-3 days, it’s smart to make an appointment with your doctor.
“We recommend coming in for evaluation if you experience bloody stool, a fever over 101°F, or signs of dehydration like excessive thirst, infrequent urination, or feeling dizzy upon standing,” advises Sheffield.
A gastroenterologist can help identify whether an underlying condition may be causing your sensitivity to Italian sausage. Testing for food allergies or conditions like diverticulitis, IBS, or colitis may be warranted.
Your doctor may suggest eliminating suspect foods like sausage for 2-3 weeks to see if it provides relief. Keeping a food diary is also helpful for pinpointing exactly what’s triggering your diarrhea.
The Takeaway: Enjoy Sausage in Moderation
For Italian sausage fans with sensitive stomachs, it may just come down to careful portion control and moderation. Stick to just 1-2 small links at a time, accompanied by gut-friendly sides like spinach salad. Probiotic foods can also aid digestion.
But if you continue having severe reactions, it may be safest to avoid Italian sausage altogether. Try swapping in chicken apple sausage, turkey links, or plant-based alternatives so you can still get the flavor without the digestive havoc.
And be sure to see your doctor if diarrhea persists or you experience other concerning symptoms. Identifying and treating any underlying conditions is key to getting your gut back on track!
What are the side effects of eating sausage?
Some of the side effects of eating sausage are linked to:
- Gastric cancer
- Heart problems
- Asthma attacks
- Seizures
Some people are happy with how much sausage they eat, but they know it’s important to keep track of how often they eat it.
Without a doubt, the chemicals used to keep the sausages fresh are the most harmful ones that are sold in stores.
Prices of sausage could be a real indicator on how likely it’s purchased.
What about Italian sausage can mess up your stomach?
There’s the fact that it’s very high in fat which can be unsettling. A lot of the time, these packages have too many preservatives, which make the food less healthy. In some cases diarrhea ends up being the things patients suffer from. People online have talked about how happy they are with Impossible Products, which makes me think that might be the answer.
Episode #27 – Italian Sausages with Italian Grandmother Nonna Paolone and Nonno Jerry Paolone
FAQ
Why do I have diarrhea after eating sausage?
Why does Italian sausage make my stomach hurt?
Why does sausage make me go to the bathroom?
Why do I get sick when I eat sausage?
Why do some foods cause diarrhea?
Certain foods can cause diarrhea either because they have a laxative effect and you’ve eaten too much or because they irritate the digestive tract. It is also possible that you have an intolerance to certain foods (like dairy) or are simply eating an imbalanced diet with too many fatty foods and not enough fiber .
Why does one experience diarrhea after eating?
Postprandial diarrhea is diarrhea that occurs after eating. It can happen unexpectedly and cause discomfort or pain until a bowel movement occurs. Possible causes include an infection, antibiotic use, and gastrointestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, celiac disease, etc.
Does pasta give you diarrhea?
Pasta is one of many foods that can bring on diarrhea and other symptoms of IBS. If you find yourself sprinting to the bathroom the morning after feasting on a big bowl of spaghetti, you might wonder, “Why does pasta give me diarrhea?” Pasta seems like a pretty safe, easy-to-digest food, right?
Why do fried foods cause diarrhea?
Fatty, greasy, or fried foods contain saturated fats and trans fats. They are also known as “solid fats” because they congeal and harden at room temperature. Because the body has trouble breaking down these fats, the oils pass through the digestive tract largely intact and cause diarrhea.