Is Diarrhea Common After Eating BBQ Pulled Pork? Let’s Dig Into This Post-Pork Predicament

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Barbecue pulled pork sandwiches are a staple of summertime eating. The tender smokey meat piled high on a soft bun is pretty hard to resist. But if you’ve ever felt sick in the aftermath of devouring pulled pork you may wonder – is diarrhea common after BBQ pulled pork? What causes this unpleasant reaction, and how can you avoid it?

I did some investigating to get to the bottom of the pulled pork and diarrhea dilemma. Here’s what I uncovered about this post-pork plight.

Why Pulled Pork Triggers Diarrhea for Some People

There are several potential culprits behind pulled pork’s association with diarrhea and other digestive woes

  • Food poisoning – Undercooked pork can harbor dangerous bacteria viruses, or parasites that lead to foodborne illness. Salmonella E. coli, listeria, and trichinosis are risks from raw or undercooked meat.

  • Spices – The bold seasonings and sauces used to flavor pulled pork can irritate sensitive digestive systems. Ingredients like hot peppers, garlic, and onion powder can cause gut distress.

  • Fat content – The high fat content of pork shoulder may lead to diarrhea, especially if your body isn’t accustomed to digesting fatty meats. Too much grease can cause stomach upset.

  • Allergies – It’s possible to have a pork allergy or sensitivity. Diarrhea can result as the body tries to expel the irritating food.

  • Overeating – Consuming a huge pulled pork sandwich or plateful of meat can simply overwhelm your digestive tract, triggering diarrhea. Moderation is key.

So those prone to GI issues or pork allergies seem most likely to experience diarrhea and other symptoms after indulging in pulled pork. But foodborne illness is also a major concern.

How Common is Food Poisoning from Pulled Pork?

Food poisoning is a risk with pulled pork if proper safety precautions aren’t taken during preparation and cooking. The specific cut of pork matters:

  • Pork shoulder – Frequently used for pulled pork. May contain trichinosis parasites if undercooked.

  • Pork butt – Also suitable for pulled pork. Lower parasite risk but still requires thorough cooking.

With both cuts, bacterial contamination with salmonella, E. coli, or listeria is a concern if raw meat hygiene is poor. Diligent prevention of cross-contamination, adequate chilling, and thorough cooking to the proper internal temperature are critical food safety steps.

The USDA recommends cooking pulled pork to at least 145°F internally, with a 3 minute rest time. This kills any potential parasites, viruses, or bacteria present. Following proper protocols minimizes the chances of foodborne illness.

So while food poisoning is possible with pulled pork, it’s reasonably uncommon if proper food safety guidelines are followed. Reputable barbecue restaurants likely take the right precautions.

Tips to Prevent Pulled Pork Diarrhea

Here are some tips to help steer clear of GI troubles after eating pulled pork:

  • Stick to trusted restaurants and vendors following food safety best practices

  • Use a meat thermometer at home to verify pork reaches 145°F minimum

  • Prevent cross-contamination by separating raw pork from other foods

  • Wash hands and surfaces thoroughly before and after handling raw pork

  • Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat fully to 165°F before eating

  • Avoid overindulgence and listen to your body’s fullness signals

  • Limit spicy seasonings if your digestion is sensitive

  • Eat probiotic foods like yogurt and kefir to support gut health

  • Stay hydrated with water, diluted juices, or electrolyte drinks

  • See a doctor if diarrhea is severe or accompanied by concerning symptoms

Following basic food safety habits goes a very long way in preventing illness from pulled pork. But even with precautions, some individuals are extra sensitive.

What to Do if You Get Diarrhea After Eating Pulled Pork

If you wind up with diarrhea after pulled pork despite your best food safety efforts, go easy on yourself. Here are some remedies to help you through:

  • Stop eating solid foods for a few hours to give your GI tract a rest. Stick to sipping small amounts of clear fluids.

  • Gradually return to bland foods like broth, bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast, and crackers.

  • Stay hydrated by drinking water, herbal tea, diluted juices, or electrolyte beverages.

  • Try probiotic yogurt, kefir, or supplements to replenish healthy gut bacteria.

  • Use over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications for relief if needed.

  • See a doctor if diarrhea persists or worsens, or if concerning symptoms like fever, blood, dehydration, or intense pain develop.

Give your body adequate time to recover – the misery normally passes within 24-48 hours. But contact your doctor if symptoms linger or become severe.

The Bottom Line on Pulled Pork and Diarrhea

So back to our original question – is diarrhea common after eating BBQ pulled pork? Well, food poisoning is certainly possible if proper food safety isn’t followed. But it’s not exceedingly likely at reputable establishments. Those with sensitive stomachs can also react badly due to high fat content, spices, or ingredients they don’t tolerate well.

Practicing basic food hygiene, using thermometers, avoiding overindulgence, and knowing your own sensitivities goes a long way in preventing diarrhea or GI troubles after pulled pork. But the occasional upset stomach still happens, even with precautions.

If you do get sick, take it easy with bland foods, fluids, probiotics, and medication if needed. And be sure to call your doctor if symptoms don’t start improving within 48 hours. While pulled pork diarrhea is certainly unpleasant, it’s manageable with the right remedies and care.

is diarrhea common after bbq pulled pork

Important hygiene tips when barbecuing and what else can be causing gastrointestinal complaints and diarrhea.

For many people on a staycation, a cozy barbecue is an important part of their trip, and they can’t wait for the smell of freshly grilled meat to fill the air. But when you grill, you should always be extra careful about cleanliness, because hot summer weather and raw meat don’t get along very well. Germs multiply particularly fast in the summer and eating spoiled grilled food can lead to digestive problems. In the worst case, even a salmonella infection could be possible.

For enjoyable and carefree summer barbecue evenings without any worries, you should heed the following hygiene tips:

  • Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
  • If possible, do not touch raw meat with your hands. Better, use a fork or barbecue tongs. This will keep germs from getting on other ingredients from your hands.
  • Set aside knives, plates, and cutting boards for the meat and the other things you’re cooking.
  • Making sure that germs don’t spread, meat shouldn’t touch other foods.
  • For the raw meat and salads, use an ice cooler box or bag. Raw meat or even raw egg mayonnaise is a great place for salmonella and E. coli to grow. Coli bacteria when they are left out in the heat for a long time without being cooled
  • On hot days, it’s best to stay safe and stay away from mayonnaise and dairy in salads and other foods. Dressing potato and pasta salads with oil and vinegar or lemon juice is lighter and might be safer.
  • Barbecue raw meat promptly. BBQ meat that hasn’t been cooked can only be kept for a short time without refrigeration. Grill or roast the meat immediately with sufficient heat. If you want to save meat for later, you should heat it up afterward to keep bacteria from growing on it.

If you take all the right precautions but still get diarrhea, stomach cramps, or gas after a barbecue, you may have a food intolerance. There is often bread, colorful salads with lots of different ingredients, and grilling sauces on the table along with the tasty grilled food. These sauces may contain lactose, fructose, flavorings, and preservatives that can make your stomach upset.

The following tips can help you enjoy the barbecue evening despite a possible food intolerance:

  • The longer the list of ingredients, the more likely it is that some of them won’t work together.
  • Use pure spices rather than spice mixtures. Glutamate and yeast flakes are often hidden in spice mixes to make them taste better.
  • Also, stay away from ready-made barbecue sauces and marinades because they have fructose and/or sorbitol added to them to make them taste better. These could make you feel like you have signs of a food intolerance.
  • Pay close attention to the list of ingredients in barbecue sauces, ready-made salad dressings, marinades, and mayonnaise if you can’t handle lactose. Today, some manufacturers now offer lactose-free salad dressings.
  • Also, be careful with meat and sausage products because they often have lactose in them. We suggest that you get these items from a butcher you trust.

Note: If you suffer from frequent diarrhea, this could be caused by food intolerances or allergies, e. g. lactose, fructose or histamine intolerance. Here we recommend that you get in contact with your health care practitioner (HCP) for further consultation. If these intolerances are not responsible for your diarrhea, the cause may be an IgG food hypersensitivity. People with IgG food hypersensitivities often don’t know they have them because their symptoms don’t show up until hours or even days after eating a trigger food.

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The Most *IMPORTANT* Step When Making Pulled Pork

FAQ

Can pulled pork cause diarrhea?

Yersinia enterocolitica is a type of harmful bacteria found in pigs. Handling or eating raw or undercooked pork contaminated with Yersinia can cause a zoonotic infection called yersiniosis. This illness affects your gut and can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

Why do I have diarrhea after barbecue?

Bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella are regular residents in chicken, beef, and meats. If you don’t cook meat to a high enough temperature to kill the bacteria or other germs, they can wind up in the intestinal tract and lead to symptoms like vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Why do I have Diarrhoea after eating pork?

If you have nausea, diarrhea or stomach pain in the days after eating some type of wild game or some types of pork, contact your healthcare provider. If you do have some type of food poisoning or trichinosis infection, it’s best to be diagnosed and treated early.

Why did pork upset my stomach?

Depending on the cut of the meat, some are quite high in fat. Fats take more time to be digested by the body, and that’s why they can cause indigestion the next day. Constipation can be a result of the high iron that is normally found in red meats (beef, pork, or lamb).

Can pork cause diarrhea?

Avoiding pork and other meats that cause allergic reactions is the most effective way to prevent symptoms. Bacteria play a significant role in causing diarrhea after eating pork. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most common bacterial agents responsible for post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in pigs.

Why is pork not recommended to eat?

This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.

Does pork cause digestive problems?

Yes, some individuals may be more susceptible to digestive issues after consuming pork due to factors like pre-existing medical conditions, food sensitivities, or personal digestive system differences. 7. Does pork cause inflammation in the digestive system?

What happens if you eat spoiled pork?

Symptoms of consuming spoiled pork may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and in severe cases, food poisoning. 2. Is pork harder to digest than other meats?

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