Why Do I Get Diarrhea After Eating Vegetables?

If you get diarrhea after eating vegetables, you definitely aren't on your own. It's a surprisingly common complaint amongst many American adults.

But what exactly is causing it?

Read on to find out the main reasons why vegetables cause stomach complaints and what you can do about it.

Why Do I Get Diarrhea From Eating Vegetables?

It's important to remember that if you are suffering from a bad stomach, you might not always have a food intolerance or food allergy; getting watery stools from eating certain foods can be due to a number of different factors.

The Most Prevalent Causes of Diarrhea After Eating Greens Include:

There are three main reasons why eating greens can sometimes cause diarrhea immediately after consumption.

Unwashed greens containing Bacteria

Firstly, let's get the obvious out of the way: it's so important to wash your veggies – yes, even leafy green vegetables.

Why?

Vegetables are routinely handled by producers, pickers, store staff, and consumers, all of whom can easily pass on bacteria of all sorts, as well as viruses. This bacteria can often make its way into your digestive system and wreak havoc with gut bacteria.

So next time you want to skip the washing stage, take a minute to think about where your food has come from, along with the vast amount of people who have come into contact with it!

Excess amount of insoluble fiber intake

Insoluble fiber is one of two types of fiber (soluble fiber being the other) that doesn't break down as it moves through the digestive tract, so – usually – it helps bulk up stools. However, when you have too many of these, it can cause diarrhea.

Examples of insoluble fiber include:

Kale, Spinach, Arugula, Collards, and other similar green leafy vegetables
Celery
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn
Cabbage
Bell peppers

Remember the importance of the M-word, Moderation.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Crohn's Disease

If you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's Disease, you will be all too aware of what foods to avoid. Vegetables like onions, Brussels sprouts, and shitake mushrooms can cause diarrhea and severe stomach cramps in many sufferers.

Anyone who suffers from these digestive disorders should contact their doctor if there is any change in their digestive issues or if they have concerns about food allergies or intolerances.

Is It Bad To Consume Too Much Vegetables?

While there is no denying the multiple health benefits of consuming vegetables daily, can you really have too much of a healthy thing?

The answer is yes.

Anything in excess, including those super-healthy green vegetables, is bad and can often be the cause of a loose bowel movement.

It's simple – variety and moderation are your friends!

What Other Foods May Cause Loose Stools?

Common food intolerances that can upset the digestive tract and cause diarrhea include:

Fruit and fruit juice
Potatoes, including sweet potatoes
Honey, even the super healthy manuka honey
Agave syrup
Coffee
Sugar alcohols
Spicy foods
Greasy foods
Fried foods
High-fiber foods
Table sugar
Palm or coconut sugar
High-fructose corn syrup

If you aren't sure what is causing or how to relieve diarrhea, it's a great idea to keep a food journal which can help illuminate the possible triggers of any loose bowel movement.

How Can You Treat Diarrhea Caused From Eating Vegetables?

If you have had a particularly bad bout of diarrhea, you might wish to stay away from eating vegetables for 24 hours and focus on low-fiber foods.

One of the best ways to make vegetables easier on your digestive system is to consume cooked vegetables over raw. You can easily boil, steam, or microwave a large range of vegetables, including carrots, green beans, zucchini, beets, and squash.

Whenever you have an upset stomach, it is important to stay hydrated, so ensure you drink lots of water. And, if your diarrhea persists for longer than a few days, contact a doctor.

FAQs

Can you have an intolerance to vegetables?

Yes, some people can have an intolerance to certain vegetables; it's not considered unusual.

It's important to remember that, while intolerances are not dangerous, they can be extremely painful and unpleasant. Some of the symptoms of vegetable intolerance can include nausea and stomach pain and bloating, tiredness, acne, skin rashes,

Before being worried that you have a vegetable intolerance, ask yourself if you are simply eating too many vegetables. The FDA recommends no more than 25g of fiber per day, based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Consuming vegetables excessively, especially if you are not used to them, will mean the additional fiber you are getting from these might be making your stomach upset.

What are the effects of eating too many vegetables?

Due to the high amount of fiber in vegetables, the effects of eating too many can include gas, bloating, diarrhea, or even constipation.

How many cups of vegetables should I eat per day?

The Food Guide Pyramid, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Health and Human Services, states that American adults should eat at least two to three cups of raw, non-leafy vegetables every day.

How long does it take to digest vegetables?

Water-dense vegetables such as lettuce, cucumber, and tomatoes can move through the digestive system in as little as half an hour, although it varies from person to person.

Final Thoughts

It's essential to look after your gut health and understand what is causing diarrhea.

Don't underestimate the importance of washing those leafy greens and other vegetables – we've all been guilty of forgetting to do this or just being too lazy to! And, if you have been going overboard with the vegetables, simply cutting down could be the answer to your loose stool problem!

But remember, any case of chronic diarrhea or serious medical symptoms resulting from eating vegetables should be discussed with your doctor immediately.