Having trouble going to the bathroom regularly? Watery stools are common and not fun to talk about or deal with. k. a. diarrhea) occasionally. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that most trips to the bathroom are unpleasant because of a virus or bacteria. But there are also many foods, like dairy, coffee, and spicy foods, that can make you have diarrhea and make you miss the bathroom.
And despite feeling embarrassed, it’s a common issue. Research shows that up to 5% of U. S. A study in the journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that at any given time, 4 million adults in the US have chronic diarrhea.
A short bout of diarrhea is usually nothing to worry about, but if your bowel movements change, you might want to pay attention to them to better take care of your body. “The only real way to tell if your GI health is good or bad is by how often you go to the bathroom,” Anish Sheth, M. D. , a board-certified gastroenterologist at Penn Medicine’s Center for Digestive Health, talked about the different types of poop textures and what they mean in the past.
If you think that food, not an illness, is making your diarrhea worse, start paying more attention to what you eat. Keep a food diary, says Shilpa Ravella, M.D., “to find out which foods are making your symptoms worse.” D. , a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. To do this, write down everything you eat in a day, alongside the time you eat. Then, write down when your symptoms happen and try to figure out which foods make your stomach hurt. You may just be able to spare yourself some discomfort—and a few extra trips to the restroom.
To help streamline the process, we narrowed down the most likely foods that cause diarrhea. Ahead, GI doctors share the most common culprits to watch out for.
You might be able to satisfy your sweet tooth with sugar-free snacks and gum, but many of them contain sugar substitutes that can also help you go to the bathroom. According to Bhavesh Shah, M.D., sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, and sorbitol can make you have diarrhea and gas because of how your body breaks them down in the gut. D. , the medical director of Interventional Gastroenterology at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in California.
Is your morning cup promptly followed by a rush to the bathroom? That’s pretty normal. “Coffee can cause diarrhea in some people,” Dr. Ravella says. “The caffeine can make the gut contract faster than usual, which means food moves through faster and isn’t absorbed as well.” ” The acidity of coffee can also worsen the symptoms of some digestive disorders, such as acid reflux. Other caffeinated foods and drinks, including tea and energy drinks, could have the same effect.
If you drink too much on a night out (or at home!), you might have an upset stomach the next morning. “This is often a symptom that accompanies a hangover,” Dr. Shah says. “Alcohol is an irritant. Your gut may not agree with drinking a large amount. “Booze also speeds up digestion, which makes it harder for your body to absorb water. That’s why you have liquid stools when you’re drunk. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
The National Institutes of Health say that up to 50 million American adults may not be able to handle lactose and would benefit from a diet without dairy. If your stomach goes rogue when you eat milk, cheese, or yogurt, you may be one of them. About 30 minutes to two hours after eating foods with lactose, people often have diarrhea, nausea, cramps, gas, and bloating, according to Dr. Shah says.
Salmon is packed with beneficial nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, vitamin D and B vitamins. However, some people experience digestive distress after eating salmon, especially diarrhea If you’ve ever wondered “why would salmon give me diarrhea?”, read on to learn about the potential causes.
Foodborne Illness
Eating raw, rare or undercooked salmon can expose you to foodborne pathogens like salmonella or norovirus These bacteria and viruses can contaminate food and cause symptoms like
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
Salmonella is one of the most common culprits of food poisoning from salmon. It occurs from eating salmon that is contaminated during handling or processing.
Proper cooking kills salmonella, but eating raw or undercooked salmon allows the bacteria to enter your digestive tract and cause an infection. Symptoms develop 12-72 hours after exposure.
Norovirus is highly contagious and transmitted through contaminated food, water or surfaces. Salmon prepared in unsanitary conditions can harbor norovirus. Symptoms are similar to salmonella but usually resolve quicker within 1-3 days.
Individual Sensitivity
While salmonella in undercooked salmon is a definite risk for diarrhea, properly cooked salmon can still cause digestive problems for some people. Individual sensitivity to compounds in salmon could be to blame. Potential causes include:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Some people may not digest high amounts of omega-3s well, causing loose stools.
Purines – People prone to gout may experience diarrhea from purines in salmon that raise uric acid.
Histamine – Older or spoiled salmon contains higher histamine levels that cause food intolerance symptoms.
Allergies – Salmon allergy is rare but can cause diarrhea along with hives, swelling and breathing difficulties.
Medications – Certain meds like antibiotics alter gut bacteria needed to digest salmon fully.
IBS – Individuals with IBS may experience loose stools from fat and protein-rich salmon.
So in some cases, the salmon itself is not problematic, but rather the person eating it. Those with sensitivities should avoid trigger ingredients and foods.
Contamination
Even if salmon is fully cooked, contamination from storage, handling or preparation can still cause foodborne illness with diarrhea. Potential sources of contamination include:
- Unclean utensils, cutting boards, countertops
- Unwashed hands before preparation
- Cross-contamination from raw poultry, meat, eggs
- Unsafe temperatures allowing bacterial growth
- Staff sick with transmittable illnesses
If contaminated salmon is eaten without proper cooking to kill pathogens, diarrhea-causing illness can occur. Strict food safety practices reduce the risk of contamination.
Added Ingredients
Certain ingredients mixed with salmon in dishes or sauces could also be problematic for some people. Potential diarrhea triggers include:
- Onions, garlic, leeks – contain FODMAPs
- Fatty cream-based sauces – high fat content
- Sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup – osmotic diarrhea
- Spicy peppers, salsa – can irritate bowels
- Sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol – laxative effect
The salmon itself may not directly cause diarrhea. Isolating problematic ingredients can help identify triggers.
How to Prevent Salmon Related Diarrhea
You can enjoy salmon safely and avoid diarrhea with these tips:
- Cook salmon thoroughly to 145°F to kill any pathogens.
- Refrigerate salmon promptly in sealed containers to prevent bacterial growth.
- Wash hands, prep tools, surfaces thoroughly before handling salmon.
- Avoid cross-contamination by separating salmon from ready-to-eat foods.
- If sensitive, take medications like antihistamines before consuming salmon.
- Remove added ingredients that may trigger intestinal distress.
- Buy high-quality salmon from reputable sellers, preferably wild-caught.
- Consume salmon in moderation as part of a varied diet.
When to See a Doctor
Contact a doctor if you experience:
- Diarrhea lasting over 3 days
- Inability to keep down fluids due to vomiting
- High fever over 101°F
- Blood or mucus in stool
- Severe abdominal pain or cramps
These can signify a bacterial infection, virus or allergy needing medical treatment. Prompt diagnosis and care reduces the risk of complications like dehydration or malnutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does cooked salmon still cause diarrhea?
Even properly cooked, contamination during handling, preparation or storage can introduce diarrhea-causing bacteria like salmonella or norovirus. Cross-contamination, unsafe temperatures or poor hygiene allow pathogens to infect the salmon and survive cooking.
Can spoiled salmon cause diarrhea?
Yes, spoilage due to improper handling or storage allows potential pathogens already present to multiply to dangerous levels. Toxins from bacterial overgrowth can also cause symptoms even if bacteria are killed by cooking. Eating spoiled salmon raises food poisoning risk.
Is raw salmon more likely to cause diarrhea?
Absolutely. Raw or rare salmon poses the highest risk as any pathogens present are not destroyed by heat. Sushi and other raw salmon dishes must use high quality incredibly fresh fish and be prepared with meticulous care to avoid illness.
Can salmon allergies cause diarrhea?
Yes, diarrhea is a common symptom of salmon allergy, along with abdominal cramps, vomiting, itching, rash or swelling. An allergy to salmon proteins triggers an overactive immune response causing these intestinal and other symptoms.
Is canned salmon less likely to cause diarrhea?
Properly commercially canned salmon is very low risk as the canning process destroys any potential pathogens present. However, contamination could still occur after opening if the salmon is left at unsafe temperatures allowing microbial growth.
The takeaway is that good food safety practices help prevent diarrhea from salmon, regardless of preparation method. Pay attention to handling, storage, cooking temperatures and hygiene. See a doctor if severe symptoms occur. With some care, you can safely enjoy salmon’s nutritional benefits.
Condiments and Salad Dressing
A lot of store-bought sauces, condiments, and dressings may contain gluten in small amounts. This is because they use malt vinegar or wheat starch to thicken and flavor the food, according to Anne Roland Lee, Ed. D, R. D. N. , L. D. , assistant professor of nutritional medicine in the celiac disease center at Columbia University previously told Prevention. If you can’t eat gluten, make your own dressings and sauces at home or read the labels on foods carefully at the store to avoid any hidden triggers. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. This group of carbs and sugar alcohols can be hard to break down, especially for people with IBS, says Dr. Ravella says, leading to gas, bloating, and diarrhea. A low-FODMAP diet might help with symptoms, but you should be watched by a dietitian because it requires you to avoid certain high-nutrient foods, like grains, dairy, and fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber.
Garlic and onions are great flavor-enhancers added to loads of meals, but in addition to being a FODMAP food, they also contain fructans. The body does not easily digest fructans and they can cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea due to their ability to pull excess water into the intestines, according to a study conducted by Current Gastroenterology Reports.
Fiber gets your digestive system moving, which is a good thing—but sometimes it’s a little too effective, Dr. Shah warns. Fiber binds to water, which can help keep you from getting constipated but can also make you go to the bathroom faster if you eat too much at once. A lot of fruits and vegetables mean a lot of high-fiber foods. This is why many people who go vegan have stomachaches at first. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, though. They’re good for your gut, help you stay at a healthy weight, and give you important nutrients that fight disease. Instead, eat more fiber gradually until your stomach adjusts. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
There are people who love jalapeños and can eat them like candy, and there are people who get sick just thinking about them. “Each individual is unique when it comes to tolerating spicy foods,” Dr. Ravella says. Spicy foods can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, which makes food move faster through the digestive tract and cause loose stools. She also says that if you don’t eat spicy food very often, you’ll feel it more when you do.
Think about how bad greasy takeout food can be for your gut if you need a reason to avoid the drive-thru. “All fats can make it harder to digest, but greasy, fried foods like those at fast food restaurants are the worst,” Dr. Ravella says. “You’re less likely to have issues when eating healthy fats from whole foods, like avocados. Greasy fries, on the other hand, aren’t very good for you, so if they make your stomach hurt, don’t eat them at all. But, if you’re in a pinch, there are some relatively healthy fast food options you can try.
A lot of the above-mentioned hard-to-digest ingredients are found in processed and packaged foods from the grocery store, just like they are in fast food. Pay close attention to nutrition labels and ingredient lists. Seek out sugar substitutes, dairy, gluten, and FODMAP foods, which can irritate the gut and make it hard to digest. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
Wheat, Rye, and Barley
Some people get diarrhea and gas from gluten, which is a mix of proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley. The good news is that a true gluten sensitivity is not very common. If you think wheat is making your digestive system sick or want to try a gluten-free diet, write down what you eat and look for patterns. For example, do you get sick every time you eat bread or pasta? “If you think you have gluten intolerance, it’s important to see a gastroenterologist to make sure you don’t have celiac disease,” Dr. Ravella says. Gluten can be very bad for people with this disorder because it makes the body attack the lining of the small intestine.