Andy Montoya
There are many reasons why cheese pizza and beans may upset your stomach. Firstly, it could be due to lactose intolerance, which occurs when your body doesn't produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in dairy products. Additionally, the high fat content in cheese can cause discomfort as it slows down stomach emptying, leading to a feeling of heaviness. Pizza is also highly processed, taking 6-8 hours to digest, and contains common allergens like wheat, gluten, and dairy, which can trigger allergic reactions or intolerances. Other potential causes include undercooked dough, food poisoning, and the presence of certain toppings like onions and garlic, which are known to induce gas. Acid reflux or GERD, characterized by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, could also be a factor.
Why does cheese pizza and beans upset my stomach?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lactose intolerance | Inability to digest milk properly due to low lactase enzyme levels |
| Food allergy | Allergic reaction to ingredients such as wheat, cheese, or garlic oil |
| Gluten intolerance or celiac disease | Difficulty digesting gluten, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea |
| High-fat content | Slows down digestion, causing discomfort and potential gallbladder issues |
| Acid reflux or GERD | Stomach acid flows into the esophagus, causing inflammation and pain |
| Food poisoning | Consumption of contaminated food or ingredients |
| Gas-inducing toppings | Onions and high-fiber vegetables |
| FODMAPs | Found in garlic, dairy, and bread, causing gas and bloating |
| Undercooked dough | Dough may be undercooked or raw, leading to difficulty in digestion |
| Allergens | Dairy, wheat, and shellfish allergens commonly found in pizza |
| Legumes | Beans and lentils may cause issues for lactose intolerant individuals |
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Lactose intolerance
There are three types of lactose intolerance, each caused by different factors. The most common type is primary lactose intolerance, which occurs when lactase production falls off sharply by adulthood, making milk products difficult to digest. This can happen when the small intestine decreases lactase production after an illness, injury, or surgery. Diseases associated with secondary lactose intolerance include intestinal infection, celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth, and Crohn's disease. In rare cases, babies are born with lactose intolerance caused by a lack of lactase, which is passed down from both parents.
If you suspect you have lactose intolerance, consult your doctor. They will discuss your symptoms, family and medical history, and eating habits. Your doctor may also perform a physical exam and recommend tests such as a hydrogen breath test or a lactose tolerance test to confirm the diagnosis.
While there is no cure for lactose intolerance, symptoms can be managed through diet changes. Most people with lactose intolerance can still consume some lactose without issues. You may need to reduce your lactose intake or choose low-fat dairy options. Lactose-free products, such as dairy-free Lactaid, are also available. Additionally, you can try making lactose-free cheese or yogurt using soy, almond, or rice milk, although these alternatives may have a different taste and texture.
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Gluten intolerance
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the lining of the intestines when gluten is consumed. This can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms, poor growth, and long-term problems such as anemia, osteoporosis, and even lymphoma. Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, unintentional weight loss, skin problems, and mood changes.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a milder form of gluten intolerance. People with NCGS tend to "feel better" when they avoid gluten, even though they test negative for celiac disease. Symptoms of NCGS include bloating, abdominal discomfort, increased gassiness, abdominal distension, and feeling like the stomach is swollen.
If you suspect you have gluten intolerance, it is important to meet with a specialist to rule out celiac disease and other disorders. The best way to determine gluten sensitivity is to eliminate gluten from your diet and observe if your symptoms improve. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a doctor, who may recommend further testing or refer you to a dietician for guidance on a healthy, gluten-free diet.
While gluten intolerance may not be the sole reason why cheese pizza and beans upset your stomach, it could be a contributing factor. Pizza contains gluten in the dough, and the high fat and dairy content in cheese can also cause digestive issues for some people. Beans are also known to cause gas and bloating, especially in those with lactose intolerance or other food intolerances.
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Food allergies
If you experience an upset stomach after consuming cheese pizza and beans, there could be several reasons. Firstly, it is important to consider whether you have any known food allergies or intolerances. Lactose intolerance, for example, is a common condition where the body does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products like cheese. People with lactose intolerance may experience abdominal cramps, gas, diarrhea, and nausea after consuming dairy products. Similarly, gluten intolerance or celiac disease can lead to difficulty digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, resulting in stomach cramps and diarrhea.
Additionally, pizza toppings such as onions and high-fiber vegetables like artichokes or kale can be gas-inducing. The high fat content in cheese can also cause discomfort, as it slows down digestion and leaves food sitting in the stomach for longer. Traditional pizzas are also highly processed, requiring 6-8 hours to digest due to their starch content, which can lead to gas and pain.
If you suspect you have a food allergy or intolerance, it is important to consult a healthcare provider. They can diagnose food allergies by discussing your symptoms, performing allergy testing, and possibly conducting an oral food challenge to determine the specific trigger.
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High fat content
The high fat content in cheese may cause stomach upset, even if you are not lactose intolerant. The fat in cheese slows down the emptying of the stomach, leaving food sitting in there for longer than usual. This can cause discomfort.
Your liver produces a greenish fluid called bile, which helps your guts process fat. Extra bile is stored in a nearby little pouch called the gallbladder. When you eat fatty food like pepperoni, your gallbladder injects a dose of bile into your intestines. Sometimes, bile can crystallize into small stones, which can block the tube draining the gallbladder to the guts. The result is crampy, right-sided, upper abdominal pain primarily after high-fat meals. If the stone gets dislodged and the pain resolves, the condition is known as biliary colic. If a stone gets stuck, the gallbladder can become infected and often needs to be removed.
Cheese pizza can be particularly problematic for people with lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body doesn't produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in dairy products. Gluten intolerance can cause trouble digesting gluten-containing foods, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea.
In addition, pizza can be highly processed, requiring 6-8 hours to digest due to the amount of starches. Eating a large amount of pizza in one sitting can lead to gas and pain as a result of the heaviness in the stomach.
Finally, pizza contains common allergens such as dairy, wheat, eggs, and shellfish. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, eating pizza can cause an allergic reaction, including mild to severe symptoms such as itching, eczema, hives, or redness around the mouth or eyes.
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Pizza sauce
There are many reasons why pizza might upset your stomach, and it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause without medical advice. However, there are some common culprits, and pizza sauce is one of them.
If you suspect pizza sauce is the culprit for your stomach upset, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, try making your own sauce at home, where you can control the ingredients and their quantities. A basic pizza sauce recipe typically includes tomato sauce or puree, tomato paste, Italian seasoning or dried herbs (such as oregano, basil, parsley, and thyme), and salt. You can adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding water, and sweeten it with a bit of sugar to curb the acidity.
Some people also add crushed fennel seeds to their pizza sauce, which gives it a unique flavour and aroma. If you want a spicier kick, you can add crushed red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with other ingredients, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or garlic salt.
Once you've combined all your ingredients in a saucepan, bring them to a simmer, and then reduce the heat to low. Stir the sauce occasionally, cooking it until it reaches your desired thickness and flavour concentration. This usually takes around 25 to 30 minutes, but you can shorten the cooking time if you're in a hurry.
By making your own pizza sauce, you can customise the ingredients to suit your taste and dietary needs, hopefully reducing the chances of an upset stomach.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why eating cheese pizza and beans may upset your stomach. Firstly, you may have a food allergy or intolerance to one or more ingredients in pizza and beans, such as lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance. Secondly, the high fat and lactose content in cheese and the complex sugars in beans can be hard to digest and cause abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence. Lastly, pizza contains common acid reflux triggers like fatty meats, tomatoes, and alliums (garlic and onions), which can lead to gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD).
If you suspect a food allergy, visit your doctor to determine the specific ingredient causing the reaction. They may suggest a hydrogen breath test to check for lactose intolerance or advise dietary changes to identify gluten intolerance.
To reduce the likelihood of an upset stomach, you can try the following:
- Limit or avoid trigger foods, such as dairy products, gluten, fatty meats, or acidic foods.
- Take antacids to ease discomfort caused by acid reflux.
- Soak and properly cook beans to remove nondigestible carbohydrates, reducing the risk of digestive symptoms.
- Introduce beans gradually into your diet, allowing your gut bacteria time to adapt to their digestion.
- Stay hydrated when consuming beans to minimize abdominal cramping.
