Chicken is a dietary staple for many people. It’s lean, versatile, and a good source of protein. However, some individuals experience nausea after eating this popular poultry. If you want to know “why does chicken make me sick? “, this complete guide will look at the possible reasons and ways to fix the problem.
Common Culprits Behind Chicken-Induced Nausea
Food Poisoning
One of the most frequent reasons for nausea after eating chicken is food poisoning. Chicken can harbor harmful bacteria like Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Clostridium perfringens if undercooked, mishandled, or improperly stored. These bacteria release toxins that irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
To avoid food poisoning:
- Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check doneness.
- Prevent cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards/utensils for raw chicken. Wash hands after handling.
- Refrigerate chicken promptly at temperatures below 40°F. Don’t leave chicken at room temperature for over 2 hours.
Allergies and Sensitivities
Chicken allergies can also make you sick after eating chicken, though not as often as food poisoning. When someone has an allergy, their immune system wrongly thinks that chicken proteins are harmful and starts an inflammatory response.
If a chicken is sensitive or intolerable, it’s not because of its immune system. It happens when someone has trouble digesting certain parts of chicken, which can cause GI symptoms like feeling sick, bloating, and gas.
Other Potential Causes
Preparation Methods
What’s in chicken and how it’s cooked can affect how well it digests. Fried chicken or chicken cooked with a lot of spices may make the lining of the stomach itch. Some processed chicken products may have ingredients like sodium phosphates that make people who are sensitive to them sick.
Underlying Conditions
Gastrointestinal conditions like IBS, Crohn’s disease, or gastroparesis can increase chances of nausea after eating chicken. These affect the ability to digest food efficiently. Stress or anxiety can also contribute.
Histamine Intolerance
Older improperly stored chicken can contain higher levels of histamine. People with histamine intolerance lack sufficient enzymes to break down histamine causing nausea, headaches, hives, etc. Eating freshly cooked chicken helps avoid exposure to high histamine.
Psychological Factors
If chicken once caused food poisoning, the memory can lead to conditioned nausea. Even safe chicken triggers a learned response. This food aversion develops from associating chicken with a prior bad experience.
Tips to Prevent Chicken-Related Nausea
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Handle raw chicken carefully and cook it thoroughly to avoid food poisoning. Use a food thermometer to confirm 165°F internal temperature.
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If you have a chicken allergy or sensitivity, avoid eating it. Antihistamines may help if it’s histamine-related.
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Limit fried, greasy, and heavily spiced chicken. The fat and spices can irritate the stomach.
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Check labels and opt for fresh, additive-free chicken if you’re sensitive to certain ingredients.
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Manage stress and anxiety levels through exercise, meditation, therapy, etc. to prevent psychologically-induced nausea.
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If nausea persists, keep a food diary. An elimination diet can help identify triggers under a doctor’s supervision.
When to Seek Medical Care
Consult a doctor if nausea after eating chicken is severe, persistent, or accompanied by:
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Frequent vomiting
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Inability to keep down fluids
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Bloody diarrhea
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High fever over 102°F
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Signs of dehydration like dizziness, excessive thirst, and infrequent urination
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Difficulty breathing or swallowing
A doctor can diagnose potential causes through testing and recommend appropriate treatment to find relief.
Nausea after eating chicken can stem from food poisoning, allergies, sensitivities, preparation methods, underlying conditions, histamine intolerance, and psychological factors. Identifying your specific trigger is key to managing symptoms. Handle chicken properly, cook it thoroughly, and limit problem ingredients. See a doctor if nausea is severe or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. With the right strategies, chicken can stay on the menu without inducing nausea so you can continue enjoying this nutritious and versatile protein.
How common is chicken intolerance?
Chicken intolerance is not very common, being less likely to cause reactions than fish, seafood, and red meat. However, if your body has trouble with digesting chicken meat and chicken products such as its broth, you may have an underlying chicken sensitivity. It might be hard to give up chicken because it is a lean meat that is high in healthy protein, but there are other foods you can eat if you need to change your diet.
Testing for chicken sensitivity
If you can’t eat chicken at a BBQ or even chicken soup, you might want to get a food sensitivity test to find out if chicken is making your stomach hurt. At YorkTest, we simply require a finger prick blood sample for our labs to accurately test your IgG antibody response to over 200 ingredients, including chicken.
The test analyzes all IgG antibodies 1-4 directly in your blood, identifying any food sensitivities and their severity in a traffic light system. When you receive your results, our team can help guide you to understand your food sensitivities, as well as advise on how to take back control of your diet and get you feeling great again. If you require more in-depth consultation, we recommend booking a consultation with one of our highly qualified nutritional therapists.
The Premium Food Sensitivity Test measures your IgG reactivity to 200 foods and drinks. Get answers on which foods could be triggering your IBS symptoms, headaches, bloating, tiredness, and more. Simply collect your finger-prick blood sample at home. Mail it to our laboratory for testing. Then receive your results online within 7 days!.
- 200 ingredients tested
- Tests are HSA and FSA accepted
- Analyzed in our accredited laboratory
- Your IgG reactivity score for each ingredient is shown in a clear, color-coded way.
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FAQ
Why is my body suddenly rejecting chicken?
Rejection of a food is not related to previously eating too much of that particular food. Rejection can be an indication of an inherited genetic trait or a result of a very sterile environment during childhood and not eating that particular food.
Why does chicken give me an upset stomach?
Raw chicken contains harmful bacteria. Eating uncooked or undercooked chicken, even in tiny amounts, can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. If a person does not handle or cook chicken properly, it can cause unpleasant illnesses.
What are the symptoms of chicken intolerance?
Chicken intolerance may induce the following reactions: Bloating. Stomach pain or cramps. Nausea.
Why am I getting sick from chicken?
It is possible for people to get Salmonella or Campylobacter from birds or other things that have come into contact with their hands or other things.
Why do I feel nauseous after eating chicken?
One possible explanation for feeling nauseous after eating chicken is an aversion to the taste or texture. Just like any food, not everyone enjoys the same flavors and textures. If you find chicken unappetizing, it’s natural for your body to respond with a feeling of nausea. Another reason could be food poisoning.
Can chicken cause nausea?
Chicken is a widely consumed protein source, loved for its versatility and taste. However, for some individuals, consuming chicken can lead to feelings of nausea. While this reaction may seem puzzling, there are several reasons why chicken might make you feel queasy.
Can chicken & eggs cause nausea & stomach pain?
Surprisingly, nausea or stomach pain after eating eggs or chicken is common for many people. At least it is for me, which is too bad since chicken and eggs are a couple of my favorite foods! In general, nausea after eating can be extremely uncomfortable. In fact, a person’s stomach may be so upset that they feel a sudden need to vomit.
Why does chicken make my stomach hurt?
Understanding why chicken might make the stomach hurt involves exploring various aspects of food preparation, individual sensitivities, and nutritional content. Food sensitivities can manifest in many ways. For some individuals, consuming chicken can trigger gastrointestinal distress.
Can fried chicken cause nausea?
For example, greasy oils are often used to cook fried chicken, which can be heavy on the stomach and make people sick, especially those who are sensitive to fried or oily foods. Moreover, some people may have an intolerance or allergy to chicken. While allergies to chicken are rare, they can occur.
How to avoid nausea after eating chicken & eggs?
To help you stay healthy after eating chicken and eggs, here are some other things you can do: Stay away from spicy and oily foods. Avoid drinking cold drinks. Drink water to help flush toxins from the body and alleviate nausea after eating. Clean all surfaces and wash your hands after touching raw chicken.