Why Do I Feel Sick After I Eat? - Causes for Nausea After Eating - Prevention Magazine

Nothing ruins the excitement of a good, homemade meal like the impending doom of feeling queasy afterward. The occasional case of heartburn is one thing, but if you always feel sick after eating, there’s a good chance an underlying health issue is to blame. Below, a doctor weighs in on what your nausea after eating might mean, associated symptoms, and when to see a doctor about it.

Causes of nausea after eating

“Nausea is a symptom that can occur due to many underlying root causes, but if it specifically occurs after eating, it likely is due to abnormalities in the gastrointestinal system,” explains Hugh Humphery, M.D., functional medicine practitioner and Everlywell advisor. Other potential causes, he adds, are mental health-related. Some of these common disruptive conditions are:

Acid reflux and GERD

Acid reflux happens when stomach acids bubble up into your esophagus and throat, often after eating. The occasional bout—especially after eating spicy foods—is expected, but if you’re experiencing it regularly, you could have what’s known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can also come with nausea and bloating. Food sensitivities and a “leaky gut” or intestinal permeability are additional possible complicating factors, adds Dr. Humphery.

Anxiety and stress

“Anxiety, depression, or intense stress can also result in a loss of appetite and nausea after eating,” says Dr. Humphery. Everyone has different physical reactions to the body entering “fight or flight” mode, and research shows that the stress and anxiety have direct effect on colonic movements and how hormone interact with the GI tract. Other symptoms that may coincide with this type of upset stomach are fatigue, muscle aches, and restlessness, Dr. Humphery says.

Gastritis

Dr. Humphery says gastritis is characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, may also come with abdominal pain, nausea, and a sensation of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating. “If vomiting occurs for more than 24 hours or there are signs of dehydration or serious illness such as high fever, one should consult their doctor immediately,” Dr. Humphery adds.

Ulcer

An ulcer is an open sore that develops on the stomach’s inner lining, and can cause nausea, heartburn, stomach pain, bloating, and an intolerance of fatty foods, per the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Humphery says it, therefore, can be linked to nausea after eating.

Viral infection

If you’ve ever had a stomach bug and struggled to keep any food down, you’ve experienced this specific type of post-meal nausea. This is commonly known as the stomach flu and also often comes with diarrhea, cramping, and fever, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Hormonal changes

Hormonal changes, particularly during pregnancy, can cause nausea after eating, says Dr. Humphery.

Food allergies or intolerances

This may seem like an obvious one, but food allergies can cause adverse reactions, including nausea, Dr. Humphery explains. They may also come with skin discomfort and itching, he adds.

Treatments for nausea after eating

“The cause of your nausea will determine how you treat and prevent it,” says Dr. Humphery. “Consider keeping a food diary if you commonly experience nausea after eating and aren’t sure of the cause.” He also recommends getting fresh air, deep breathing meditation, taking an over-the-counter antacid like TUMS, and avoiding intense physical activity after a meal.

To prevent feeling uneasy in the first place, he suggests eating and drinking more slowly, avoiding spicy, fried, and greasy foods, and eating small meals spread out throughout the day rather than two or three larger ones.

When to see a doctor

“If your nausea does not go away within a week, call your doctor to discuss your symptoms,” says Dr. Humphery. “If your nausea is accompanied by blood in your vomit or stool, high fever, chest pain, extreme thirst and jaundice, or yellowing in the eyes or skin, you should contact your doctor immediately.”

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Kayla Blanton is a freelance writer who reports on all things health and nutrition for Men’s Health, Women’s Health, and Prevention. Her hobbies include perpetual coffee sipping and pretending to be a Chopped contestant while cooking.

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Students eat, shop, socialize at First Monday - GCU News - GCU Today

Students had plenty to do at First Monday -- such as testing their Frisbee accuracy.

Meghan Mellinger liked the way First Monday started the week for students.

Photos by Zachary BonDurant

Prescott Field at Grand Canyon University was lined with students eagerly waiting to enter and swipe, tap or scan their credit cards. Rows of student merchandise were before them, including homemade jewelry, thrifted clothing, upcycled clothing, coffee, stickers and baked goods.

Canyon Activities Board’s First Monday, a market where students can set up and sell merchandise for other students, was a success in its first year as part of Welcome Week.

“A lot of the things we do are, of course, for students, but it is fun that our students are doing things for other students — they are the main focus and emphasis,” said CAB Student Activities Manager Meghan Mellinger. “I’m hoping this is a fun new Welcome Week tradition.”

A selection of skee-ball, cornhole and a dance video game created even more of a buzz alongside the free food and refreshments available for those attending the event.

For Josh Toney, First Monday was an opportunity to spread the message of God.

Toney’s apparel brand, Joshua 1, is adorned with graphic designs and Scripture.

Josh Toney's apparel brand, Joshua 1, is Scripture-oriented.

“It’s really focused on being bold and being proud of it. It is a reminder for me and everyone who sees my clothing that I’m living for God,” he said.

A graphic design combined with Matthew 17:20 -- “Mustard seed-sized faith can move mountains” --- is one of many examples he uses to show the power of Scripture.

The bold statement does not go unnoticed by others -- the brand is meant to raise questions to people who may not know God.

“So many people come up and ask about it, and we end up having conversations,” said Toney. “That is really what the Gospel is all about.”

Ryan Anger sold cookies at First Monday to raise money for a mission trip.

Similarly, Ryan Anger sought out a vender spot at First Monday to raise money for a mission trip, the Alaska Mission for Christ, which centers around 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.”

His bright orange tablecloth was covered with a variety of homemade cookies, including chocolate chip, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin. The process flipped his residence hall room into a bakery.

“Baking started Friday and ended Sunday night,” Anger said. “My dorm-mates don’t like how warm the room gets with the oven on, but you have to do what you have to do.”

It’s worth the trouble.

The event featured something else students appreciate -- free food.

During the mission trip last summer, he traveled to Alaska with a group of contractors and renovated a youth camp. This year, he is hoping to contribute to the renovation of villages.

Toney and Anger were among dozens to lure the big crowd.

Mellinger was pleasantly surprised with the outcome, which set the tone for the rest of the week.

“CAB is putting on other events throughout Welcome Week and this is only the first night,” she said. “So, we thought it would be a little smaller as opposed to our other events throughout Welcome Week – but it looks like we have most of the campus here.”

Contact staff writer Lydia P. Robles at 602-639-7665 or [email protected]

****

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Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? - Mentalfloss

Having a dog means asking a lot of questions your dog will never be able to answer. Why do they lick glass? Why do they tilt their heads? And why do they seem to love eating dirt?

Speaking with the American Kennel Club, veterinarian Dr. Laurie S. Coger, DVM, said that munching on soil can be indicative of a dog’s emotional state. A pet that’s stressed or bored may indulge in pica, or the ingestion of non-edible materials. If it’s dirt, then they’re indulging in geophagia.

A dog may also turn to a dirt buffet to try and alleviate some kind of health ailment, like anemia (a low blood cell count), an upset stomach, or some kind of nutritional deficiency. (Gastrointestinal problems are more likely to lead to eating grass, however.)

Despite their reputation for having cast-iron stomachs, you really, really don’t want your dog snacking on dirt. If they eat too much, they can develop an impaction in their intestines that could require surgery to resolve. Dirt is also home to pesticides, toxins, rocks, and other things that could seriously injure an animal.

“I would add that any new, unnatural behavior, such as dirt eating, should be acted upon quickly,” Dr. Coger said. “Both because of possible serious underlying causes and before it becomes a habit. Dogs will learn from other dogs in the house, and who wants a houseful of dirt eaters?”

If you catch your dog scarfing down a dirt meal, take them to a vet to check for any irregularities. If the problem persists, try to keep them busy and active so they’re less inclined to devour the backyard. Some dogs may have a preferred dining spot, which you can close off. If you catch them in the act, you can discourage the behavior by telling them “no” or “please stop eating dirt.” With any luck, they’ll go back to licking glass instead.

[h/t American Kennel Club]

Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at bigquestions@mentalfloss.com.

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Can Diabetics Eat Sauerkraut? - Diabetes Self Management

You might be an avid sauerkraut fan if you slather it on your hot dog or pile it onto your Reuben sandwich. On the other hand, sauerkraut might be a food that you’ve never tried — or have any intention of trying. You might change your mind, however, once you learn how this “sour cabbage” can help improve your health.

Origins of sauerkraut

The word “sauerkraut” might lead you to believe that this food originated in Germany. It’s true that sauerkraut has been a staple in the German diet since the 1600s. But according to the website germanfoods.org, sauerkraut is a Chinese invention, dating back to more than 2,000 years ago, when the Chinese fermented cabbage in rice wine. It’s thought that this fermented cabbage fed the builders of the Great Wall of China during the winter months. A thousand years later, Ghenghis Khan brought this fermented cabbage to Europe. The Europeans then began to ferment cabbage using salt instead of rice wine. Salting the cabbage extracted water and allowed this mixture to ferment, “turning the sugars in the cabbage into lactic acid which served as a preservative,” says the website thespruceeats.com.

While we tend to think of sauerkraut as being German food, this cabbage delicacy is enjoyed by many countries in Europe, including Poland, France, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Russia. Sauerkraut made its way across the pond to North America when the English and German settlers arrived, and it’s long been associated with German communities, such as the Amish, in the U.S.

To get cutting-edge diabetes news, strategies for blood glucose management, nutrition tips, healthy recipes, and more delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our free newsletters!

Health benefits of sauerkraut

You might find it hard to believe that sauerkraut has much to offer in the way of nutrition and health. Surprisingly, it does! Here’s the lowdown:

It promotes gut health.

Sauerkraut is a wealth of good bacteria called probiotics. Probiotics keep your digestive tract happy and healthy, but their benefits extend beyond that: They are thought to reduce inflammation, prevent and treat vaginal and urinary tract infections (UTIs), lower cholesterol levels, and maybe even lessen anxiety and depression.

It supports a healthy immune system.

Thanks to its probiotic, vitamin C, and iron content, sauerkraut helps your immune system fight off colds, flu, and other illnesses and infections.

It can help you reach and stay at a healthy weight.

While eating sauerkraut won’t magically burn off unwanted pounds, it can be a part of a weight-loss plan. That’s because this cabbage dish is low in calories and high in fiber — a winning combination to keep you feeling full, longer. There’s also some research to indicate that sauerkraut’s probiotics could help lessen weight gain and promote weight loss (although more research is needed in this arena).

It might give your mood a boost.

Sure, you might feel happy munching on a hot dog with sauerkraut, but sauerkraut itself may help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, thanks to — again — probiotics, but also promoting the uptake of magnesium and zinc in the gut.

It might lower your risk of cancer.

Cabbage contains a compound called sulforaphane, which is also found in broccoli and kale. Sulforaphane may prevent the growth of cancer cells. And studies show that a higher intake of cruciferous veggies, including cabbage, is linked with a reduced risk of cancer.

Can eating sauerkraut help with diabetes?

In addition to the above benefits, sauerkraut, along with other fermented foods, may play a role in helping to manage blood sugars by improving insulin secretion from the pancreas and decreasing insulin resistance. While more research is needed, that fact that sauerkraut is low in calories and high in fiber makes it a good choice if you have diabetes.

Sauerkraut nutrition

One cup of canned sauerkraut contains:

• 45 calories
• 0.3 grams of fat
• 10 grams of carbohydrate
• 6 grams of fiber
• 2 grams of protein
• 1,560 milligrams of sodium
• 401 milligrams of potassium

One of the drawbacks of commercially prepared sauerkraut is its high sodium content. Fortunately, you can purchase lower-sodium varieties that may have closer to 400 milligrams of sodium.

Raw vs. canned sauerkraut

Some proponents of sauerkraut recommend eating raw sauerkraut rather than canned. With canned sauerkraut, the cabbage is sterilized with heat and then put into glass jars. The heating process may cause the sauerkraut to lose some of its health benefits (including loss of probiotics); plus, it may look yellow in color and taste different. Raw or fresh sauerkraut will be crunchy, have a tangier taste, and have a fresh color.

Tips for purchasing and using sauerkraut

• Buy sauerkraut from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Sauerkraut from the shelf may have undergone pasteurization, which can kill good bacteria.
• Read the label and choose brands that don’t contain preservatives.
• Choose sauerkraut that contains just cabbage and salt, and no sugar.
• Treat sauerkraut like a condiment to help limit your sodium intake.
• Try it on eggs, mashed into avocado, in a burrito, or blended into a salad dressing, suggests the website Fermented Food Lab.

You can even try your hand at making your own sauerkraut, but if you do, be sure to use sterile equipment and follow the recipe and directions very carefully.

Want to learn more about eating well? Read “Strategies for Healthy Eating,” “Improving Your Recipes: One Step at a Time,” and “Easy Ways to Eat Better.”

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