About 32 percent of adults in the United States eat fast food on any given day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unfortunately, these appetizing foods can lead to some not-so-appetizing side effects, including gas, burping, and nausea.
Fried food itself can provoke these symptoms, though in some cases, underlying health conditions may be to blame. With that said, here’s a closer look at four of the most common reasons why fried foods cause gas.
1. They’re High in Fat
If you’re burping and feel nauseous after an oily or fried meal, this isn’t unusual. Greasy foods are among the most common triggers of indigestion and gas, according to the Mayo Clinic. Spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and chocolate are other common culprits.
The reason? Fried foods are typically high in fat, which takes longer for your body to digest than other nutrients like protein and carbohydrates. Additionally, fatty foods stimulate the release of cholecystokinin, or CKK, from your small intestine, according to the Cleveland Clinic. CKK delays gastric emptying, meaning food sticks around longer in your belly than it’s supposed to.
This slowed digestion process also explains why fatty goods are among the foods that cause bloat.
“Any food can cause bloating if the stomach is emptying poorly, [given] that the food ferments there,” says Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterologist with Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
If your food stays in your tummy too long, bacteria starts to break it down, which produces gases. The gases make your stomach feel swollen, causing a bit of discomfort and a “stuffed feeling.”
Because fried foods do cause gas regularly, your best bet is to limit or avoid them. Overeating or eating too quickly can also contribute to symptoms of indigestion, according to the Mayo Clinic, so sticking to smaller portions and snacking at a slower pace may help you avoid digestive troubles.
2. They Can Contain Lactose
If you notice that your double cheeseburger with fries causes gas and bloating, fat may not be the only culprit. Fried foods often contain other foods that make you belch. A common offender? Cheese.
Indeed, cheese can cause bloating if your body isn’t able to properly digest lactose, a naturally occurring sugar found in dairy products. According to the Mayo Clinic, not only does cheese cause bloating if you’re lactose intolerant, but it can also lead to symptoms like:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Gas
If cheese makes you bloated, opt for lactose-free or nondairy alternatives instead, advises the Mayo Clinic. Lactase tablets can also give your body a hand at digesting these foods.
3. They Can Trigger IBS Symptoms
All that belching and nausea after eating a greasy burger could be due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). According to the Mayo Clinic, IBS is a common chronic condition that causes digestive symptoms like:
- Stomach pain or cramping
- Bloating
- Changes in appearance or frequency of bowel movements
It’s not clear exactly what causes IBS but it is common to have dietary triggers. While it’s associated with gut sensitivity and anxiety and depression, it can only be diagnosed based on your symptoms, rather than an objective medical test. And a high-fat diet, including fried, greasy foods, can aggravate these symptoms.
Dietary changes, including avoiding or limiting greasy, high-fat foods, can help ease discomfort, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It also helps to track the foods that cause burping, pain, and other symptoms so you can avoid them in the future.
4. You Have Gastroparesis
Digestive issues like bloating, gas, and vomiting can have a wide range of causes, including your dietary choices and lifestyle habits. But if these symptoms arise because your stomach can’t get rid of food quickly enough, you could have gastroparesis, according to the American College of Gastroenterology.
Gastroparesis literally translates to “stomach paralysis” and is a digestive disorder where your stomach can’t empty itself normally. The cause of gastroparesis varies, but underlying health issues like diabetes, infections, hypothyroidism, eating disorders, and other diseases can contribute to it, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).
Eating large meals, including those served at fast-food chains, can trigger gastroparesis symptoms like gas and bloating. Other symptoms of the condition include:
- Feeling full soon after starting a meal or long after eating a meal
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Poor appetite
However, the disease is not common. It only affects about 50 out of 100,000 people each year, according to the NIDDK. So if you’re experiencing these symptoms, discuss potential causes with your gastroenterologist.
Visit your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. If you are diagnosed with gastroparesis, you’ll have to be careful about your diet. Because fatty foods already take time to digest, most treatment plans recommend sticking to low-fat meals.
If you’re having trouble making dietary changes to ease digestive problems like gas and bloating, a registered dietitian can help you with meal planning and finding healthy alternatives.
