Pasta sauce can cause gastroenteritis symptoms if you have a food allergy or if it is contaminated.
Image Credit: Eugene Mymrin/Moment/GettyImages
Gastroenteritis is an infection in the stomach and intestines that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis related to food is commonly the result of food poisoning — such as stomach pain after eating tomato sauce.
A food allergy can cause symptoms similar to gastroenteritis, although there is no actual infection. Pasta sauces may contain milk, fish and tomatoes that could trigger an allergic reaction. If you develop stomach pain after eating pasta sauce, you need to see your doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Tomato Sauce and Upset Stomach
Gastroenteritis that develops after eating pasta sauce is most likely caused by food poisoning. After you eat pasta sauce that's contaminated with an infectious organism, the lining of your stomach and intestines will become infected and inflamed, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Pasta sauce can become contaminated during the manufacturing process or during the preparation before serving it from contaminated utensils or cookware. If you refrigerate and reheat the pasta sauce multiple times, you're at a greater risk of developing food poisoning.
The type of organism that has contaminated the pasta sauce will determine the severity and longevity of the symptoms. Most symptoms will appear within a few hours after you eat contaminated pasta sauce.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the bacteria Bacillus cereus is common in sauces that have been left out at room temperature for too long. This bacteria often causes diarrheal symptoms six to 15 hours after eating, or vomiting symptoms 30 minutes to six hours after eating the affected sauce.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis from food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, stomach cramps and watery diarrhea after eating spaghetti sauce. Call your doctor if you notice blood in your vomit or stool, as this may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Be Aware of Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction to one or more of the ingredients in the pasta sauce can cause inflammation in the digestive system. Pasta sauces may contain fish, dairy and tomatoes.
These foods can trigger an allergic reaction. If you're allergic to an ingredient in the sauce, your immune system will overreact to the proteins in that ingredient, triggering the production of immunoglobulin E antibodies. These allergy-provoking agents cause the production of histamine in your intestines, which can cause common gastroenteritis symptoms.
Allergic reactions can potentially be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, tightening of your throat, swelling in your face or throat, or repetitive vomiting or diarrhea, according to Food Allergy Research & Education.
The main concern with treating gastroenteritis is to maintain proper hydration. Gastroenteritis can cause excessive vomiting and diarrhea, which can deplete the body of essential fluids. Drink more clear liquids and eat foods that are bland and will promote bulk-forming stool, such as white rice, bananas, white bread, plain yogurt and apple sauce. If you notice symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, dry skin and feeling lethargic, call your doctor right away.
FAQs
One of the most notorious trigger foods of heartburn and indigestion alike, tomatoes and tomato based products may be causing your upset stomach. Ketchup, marinara sauce, tomato paste, and tomato soup all make the list of tomato products to avoid.
Why do I feel sick after eating spaghetti sauce? ›
A tomato intolerance or sensitivity occurs when your digestive system reacts adversely after eating tomatoes. There are different types of food sensitivities when it comes to tomatoes: chemical sensitivities to the alkaloids, reactions to the acid content, and IgG reactions to the proteins in tomatoes.
Why do I have diarrhea after eating spaghetti? ›
Wheat foods
People with IBS may experience diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and other stomach problems from wheat-based foods, even if they don't have celiac disease. This includes foods like cereal, grains, pasta, bread, baked goods, crackers, and granola.
Why does marinara hurt my stomach? ›
Tomatoes and tomato-based sauces: Naturally acidic, tomato-based foods — which include ketchup, marinara sauce, and tomato-based soups — are not good for your stomach. Too much acid in your stomach may cause some to splash back into your esophagus.
Can tomato sauce cause IBS flare up? ›
April is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month, so we are sharing some IBS-friendly recipes like this low FODMAP tomato sauce. Jarred red sauces can trigger IBS symptoms with garlic, onions, and added sugar.
Can pasta trigger IBS? ›
These foods commonly spark a cascade of symptoms for people with irritable bowel syndrome: High-fiber products, found in cereals, grains, pastas and processed foods. Gas-producing foods, like beans, lentils, carbonated beverages and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower.
What causes explosive diarrhea after eating? ›
Diarrhea after eating can stem from various causes, including foodborne illnesses, food intolerances, allergies, as well as underlying conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.
Can you be intolerant to tomato sauce? ›
Sometimes it can prove difficult to know that tomatoes are the cause of your intolerance symptoms because they are found in foods like pizza (in the sauce). It is possible to have tomato sauce intolerance and even raw tomato intolerance.
What are the symptoms of pasta food poisoning? ›
How Soon Do Symptoms Start?
| When Symptoms Begin | Symptoms |
|---|
| 30 minutes to 8 hours | Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea |
| Within 24 hours | Watery diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, chills |
| 6 to 24 hours | Diarrhea, stomach cramps that last for less than 24 hours—vomiting and fever are not common |
7 more rowsOverview. Dumping syndrome is a condition in which food, especially food high in sugar, moves from your stomach into your small bowel too quickly after you eat. Sometimes called rapid gastric emptying, dumping syndrome most often occurs as a result of surgery on your stomach or esophagus.
Takeaway. Postprandial diarrhea (PD) may happen as soon as 30 minutes after eating or may have a more delayed onset. It's important to speak with a doctor if you're experiencing diarrhea for more than 2 days or additional symptoms, such as fever, vomiting, or fatigue.
Why does alfredo sauce give me diarrhea? ›
Lactose intolerance, a condition that occurs when you have difficulty digesting sugars found in dairy products, is a common cause of diarrhea. If you've ever had to dash to the restroom after eating ice cream or pasta covered in creamy Alfredo sauce, you might have lactose intolerance.
What causes rapid bowel movement after eating? ›
Needing to poop immediately after eating is typically due to an overactive gastrocolic reflux. This causes food to move through your colon more quickly. You may experience other symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. Dietary changes may help reduce the effect of gastrocolic reflex.
Why does my stomach hurt so bad after eating alfredo? ›
Stomach pain and bloating are common with lactose intolerance. They are caused when bacteria in the colon ferment lactose that the body has left undigested, resulting in excess gas and water. Pain is most often situated around the navel and lower tummy.
Is marinara sauce bad for gastritis? ›
Tomatoes and Tomato-Based Products:
Tomatoes and tomato-based products like tomato sauces, ketchup, and salsa are also highly acidic and can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Why does my stomach hurt after tomato sauce? ›
Acidic Foods
Tomato sauce and citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit, are acidic and can irritate the stomach lining, causing digestive problems. Many people don't realize that carbonated beverages are also acidic. When you have an upset stomach, avoid acidic foods, says Krevsky.
Is pasta sauce hard to digest? ›
Cream-based sauces, such as Alfredo sauce, can be heavy and difficult to digest, especially for those with lactose intolerance. Tomato-based sauces, on the other hand, are generally easier to digest and can even provide some health benefits due to the lycopene content in tomatoes.
Why does pasta irritate my stomach? ›
With celiac, a person's small intestine becomes damaged when they eat gluten; with a gluten intolerance, someone may simply have a physical reaction like diarrhea or gas after eating gluten. Your doctor can help you determine what might be at the root of the problem.
Why do I have stomach problems after eating pasta? ›
Eating foods that contain gluten can trigger a range of gut symptoms, such as: diarrhoea, which may smell particularly unpleasant. stomach aches. bloating and farting (flatulence)
