For many of us, turkey is a staple part of holiday meals and family gatherings. But sometimes, this delicious poultry dish can lead to some unwanted digestive side effects like diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramps.
So what exactly causes turkey to wreak havoc on your gut in some cases? In this article, we’ll examine 4 potential reasons you may get diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues after eating turkey. We’ll also provide some tips for avoiding turkey-induced tummy troubles.
Overview of Turkey’s Impact on Digestion
First. let’s look at some of the ways turkey can negatively impact digestive health for some folks
- High fat content can cause diarrhea if consumed in large quantities
- Potential contamination with bacteria like salmonella or E. coli
- Allergies or intolerances to turkey meat or other ingredients
- Too much protein causing an imbalance in the gut
- Eating too quickly and swallowing excess air
Now let’s explore those factors more in-depth.
1. Consuming Too Much Fat
One of the most common culprits of turkey-related diarrhea is the high fat content of the meat especially the skin. Fat takes longer to digest than other nutrients so overdoing it can definitely upset your stomach.
Excess fat in the digestive tract causes the release of hormones that stimulate gut motility, speeding up the passage of food before it’s fully broken down. The result is loose, watery stools.
Solution: Stick to sensible portion sizes of turkey, and try removing the skin to reduce the fat content. Slow down while eating and chew thoroughly.
2. Bacterial Contamination
Undercooked or improperly handled turkey can contain dangerous bacteria like salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter, and others. When ingested, these bugs can cause food poisoning that leads to diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, and fever.
The top symptoms pointing to food poisoning include diarrhea that starts more than 6 hours after eating contaminated turkey. Other red flags are bloody stools, high fever, and signs of dehydration.
Solution: Cook turkey thoroughly to 165°F. Wash hands and prep surfaces before and after handling raw turkey. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
3. Allergic Reaction
Some people are allergic to turkey meat itself. An allergy can trigger diarrhea along with other symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, and hives.
The reaction is caused by the immune system overreacting to turkey proteins. In severe cases, anaphylaxis may occur causing throat swelling and difficulty breathing.
Solution: Those with a known turkey allergy must avoid it entirely. See an allergist for diagnosis and an EpiPen prescription if needed.
4. Food Intolerance
Food intolerances are different than allergies. They occur when something in the turkey meat doesn’t agree with the digestive system, provoking unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Potential intolerances include ingredients like spices, preservatives, or other additives in turkey dishes. The meat itself or tryptophan may also be possible intolerances for some.
Solution: Pay attention to symptoms and try eliminating suspect foods. See a doctor to discover intolerances.
Other Factors That Can Contribute
A few other things potentially linked to turkey-related diarrhea include:
- Eating too quickly and swallowing excess air
- Consuming too much protein relative to other nutrients
- Spicy seasonings irritating the digestive tract
- Underlying conditions like IBS or food sensitivities
Tips to Prevent Turkey-Induced Diarrhea
Here are some pro tips for enjoying turkey without the unwanted side effects:
- Choose lower fat cuts like breast meat and remove skin
- Portion turkey sensibly and balance with veggies
- Cook thoroughly to safe internal temperatures
- Handle raw turkey carefully to avoid bacterial spread
- Slow down eating and chew each bite 20-30 times
- Limit spicy seasonings if sensitive
- Stay hydrated and opt for gentler foods after meals
- Pay attention to personal intolerances and allergies
When to See a Doctor
In most cases, turkey-related diarrhea will resolve on its own within 24-48 hours. But contact your doctor if you experience:
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Bloody or black diarrhea
- Diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
- Inability to keep down fluids due to vomiting
- Signs of dehydration like excessive thirst, dry mouth, and dark urine
The Takeaway
For most folks, indulging in delicious turkey now and then is unlikely to cause significant digestive upset. But for some sensitive individuals, turkey can definitely spell a bout of diarrhea or other tummy troubles. Being mindful of portion size, proper handling and cooking, and your personal intolerances can go a long way in letting you enjoy this holiday bird without the unwanted side effects!
Watch what you eat
The general rule of thumb when traveling to another country is this: Boil it, cook it, peel it or forget it. But its still possible to get sick even if you follow these rules.
Other tips that may help decrease your risk of getting sick include:
- Dont consume food from street vendors.
- Dont consume unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including ice cream.
- Dont eat raw or undercooked meat, fish and shellfish.
- Dont eat moist food at room temperature, such as sauces and buffet offerings.
- Eat foods that are well cooked and served hot.
- Stick to fruits and vegetables that you can peel yourself, such as bananas, oranges and avocados. Stay away from salads and from fruits you cant peel, such as grapes and berries.
- Be aware that alcohol in a drink wont keep you safe from contaminated water or ice.
When to see a doctor
Travelers diarrhea usually goes away on its own within several days. Symptoms may last longer and be more severe if its caused by certain bacteria or parasites. In such cases, you may need prescription medicines to help you get better.
If youre an adult, see your doctor if:
- Your diarrhea lasts beyond two days.
- You become dehydrated.
- You have severe stomach or rectal pain.
- You have bloody or black stools.
- You have a fever above 102 F (39 C).
While traveling internationally, a local embassy or consulate may be able to help you find a well-regarded medical professional who speaks your language.
Be especially cautious with children because travelers diarrhea can cause severe dehydration in a short time. Call a doctor if your child is sick and has any of the following symptoms:
- Ongoing vomiting.
- A fever of 102 F (39 C) or more.
- Bloody stools or severe diarrhea.
- Dry mouth or crying without tears.
- Signs of being unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive.
- Decreased volume of urine, including fewer wet diapers in infants.
Its possible that travelers diarrhea may stem from the stress of traveling or a change in diet. But usually infectious agents — such as bacteria, viruses or parasites — are to blame. You typically develop travelers diarrhea after ingesting food or water contaminated with organisms from feces.
So why arent natives of high-risk countries affected in the same way? Often their bodies have become used to the bacteria and have developed immunity to them.
Each year millions of international travelers experience travelers diarrhea. High-risk destinations for travelers diarrhea include areas of:
- Central America.
- South America.
- Mexico.
- Africa.
- South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Traveling to Eastern Europe, South Africa, Central and East Asia, the Middle East, and a few Caribbean islands also poses some risk. However, your risk of travelers diarrhea is generally low in Northern and Western Europe, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Your chances of getting travelers diarrhea are mostly determined by your destination. But certain groups of people have a greater risk of developing the condition. These include:
- Young adults. The condition is slightly more common in young adult tourists. Though the reasons why arent clear, its possible that young adults lack acquired immunity. They may also be more adventurous than older people in their travels and dietary choices, or they may be less careful about avoiding contaminated foods.
- People with weakened immune systems. A weakened immune system due to an underlying illness or immune-suppressing medicines such as corticosteroids increases risk of infections.
- People with diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe kidney, liver or heart disease. These conditions can leave you more prone to infection or increase your risk of a more-severe infection.
- People who take acid blockers or antacids. Acid in the stomach tends to destroy organisms, so a reduction in stomach acid may leave more opportunity for bacterial survival.
- People who travel during certain seasons. The risk of travelers diarrhea varies by season in certain parts of the world. For example, risk is highest in South Asia during the hot months just before the monsoons.
Because you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals during a bout with travelers diarrhea, you may become dehydrated, especially during the summer months. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
Dehydration caused by diarrhea can cause serious complications, including organ damage, shock or coma. Symptoms of dehydration include a very dry mouth, intense thirst, little or no urination, dizziness, or extreme weakness.
Does turkey meat give dogs diarrhea?
FAQ
Can turkey cause loose bowels?
What are the side effects of eating turkey?
Why do I feel sick after eating turkey?
Can turkey lunch meat cause diarrhea?
Can eating turkey cause digestive problems?
An isolated instance where you develop digestive issues several hours after eating turkey may be related to food poisoning. Foodborne illness occurs when you eat something contaminated with an infectious organism like a parasite, bacteria or virus, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Can one eat turkey sandwich with diarrhea?
Ideally, you should avoid processed and very fatty foods, such as ready-made sauces, fried foods and sausages, as well as foods that can cause the production of gases. During diarrhea it is important to prioritize easily digestible foods, lean meats, such as chicken and fish; and peeled fruits, which will help with digestion, control the volume of bowel movements and relieve stomach pain.
Can Turkey cause gas or stomach upset?
If turkey causes gas or stomach upset frequently, a food intolerance may be to blame. This is when you have difficulty digesting certain foods, per the National Health Service, and can lead to symptoms like: According to the Mayo Clinic, you may have a food intolerance for the following reasons: The fix?
Can Turkey cause stomach cramps?
If you experience sudden digestive issues hours after eating turkey, food poisoning may be to blame. There’s nothing like a delicious turkey dinner — that is, unless your meal leaves you with an upset stomach. So, does turkey cause gas, stomach cramps or other digestive issues? It’s possible that turkey can contribute to an upset stomach.