Are Carrots Hard to Digest? Plus, Other Reasons Carrots Can Cause Stomach Pain
Health ConditionsDigestive Health

5 Reasons Raw Carrots May Be Giving You Stomach Pain

5 Reasons Raw Carrots May Be Giving You Stomach Pain
iStock
By
Kathleen Ferraro
Updated on August 7, 2025
by

Carrots are delicious and nutritious, so it’s no wonder the crunchy veggie is a favorite for many. But carrots are hard to digest for some people, which is why you may experience stomach pain after eating them.

Here are five potential reasons why your stomach hurts after eating carrots, and what to do about it.

1. You’re Eating Too Much Fiber

Fiber is an essential nutrient that supports bowel health. It can help with constipation relief and weight maintenance, while also helping to lower your risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Vegetables are a major source of fiber, and carrots are no exception. One medium-sized raw carrot contains 1.5 grams of the nutrient.

But even though fiber is a key part of a balanced diet, having too much of it at once — which can happen if you eat too many carrots — can lead to stomach pain, along with symptoms like gas, bloating, and cramping.

That’s because your body doesn’t digest fiber easily. Rather than breaking down in your gastrointestinal tract, fiber stays relatively intact.

 As a result, raw carrots can be harder on the digestive system than other foods, and they can cause gas for some. Cooked carrots may be better tolerated for some.

To avoid stomach pain after eating raw carrots, try gradually increasing your fiber intake over the course of a few weeks. This will allow your body to adjust.

Cooking your veggies may also help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms. While carrots are hard to digest on their own, cooking them can help break down nutrients so the food is easier on your gut.

How Much Fiber Should You Eat Every Day?

According to the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim to eat the following amount of fiber per day:

  • ‌Women:‌ 22 to 28 grams
  • ‌Men:‌ 28 to 34 grams

2. You Have an Intolerance

Another potential reason why carrots may make your stomach hurt is that you’re sensitive to the veggie.

Indeed, you may have a food intolerance that makes it hard for your body to digest carrots:

Signs of a food intolerance include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Nausea
  • Upset stomach
  • Heartburn
Talk to your doctor if you suspect you have a specific food intolerance or sensitivity. You can usually prevent symptoms by limiting or eliminating the problem food from your diet.

3. You’re Allergic

Although it’s uncommon, it’s possible that a carrot allergy is the cause of your stomach pain (even though it isn’t one of the major food allergens). In some people with pollen allergies, allergic reactions to specific foods might also occur. Specifically, people with an allergy to birch tree pollen may experience allergic reactions to carrots.

Allergic reactions can cause the following symptoms:

  • Itchy or tingly mouth
  • Hives, itching, or eczema
  • Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat, or other body parts
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
It’s important to note that a food allergy isn’t the same thing as an intolerance. A food allergy is a reaction by the immune system, which tends to produce more respiratory or skin-related symptoms, while food intolerances primarily affect the digestive system.

If you have an allergic reaction after eating carrots, let your doctor know. They can confirm whether you have an allergy. If you do, avoiding carrots altogether can help prevent symptoms.

People with food allergies can have an extreme allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, where your throat swells up and makes it hard to breathe. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.

4. You Have Food Poisoning

If your carrot-induced stomachache is accompanied by symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, you may have food poisoning.

Raw carrots that haven’t been properly stored or washed can contain disease-causing microorganisms such as salmonella, listeria, or E. coli.

If you eat these contaminants, you can come down with a case of foodborne illness. Symptoms may include:

  • Stomach cramping
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Overall weakness
These symptoms should clear on their own within a couple of days, but seek medical attention if you have diarrhea lasting more than three days, have a fever of 103 degrees F or higher, or experience signs of dehydration, including excessive thirst, lightheadedness or dizziness, little-to-no urine production, and severe weakness.

Avoid food poisoning from carrots by rinsing them (along with other fresh produce) with clean water before peeling, prepping, or eating them. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands, utensils, cutting boards, and surfaces that have come into contact with unwashed produce and raw meats. Clean your fridge regularly and toss any food that’s moldy or rotten.

5. You Have an Underlying Condition

Though more uncommon than the reasons listed above, underlying conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can also cause difficulty digesting insoluble fibers (like those found in carrots).

And carrots aren’t the only food that can trigger symptoms like stomach pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Other raw vegetables — like broccoli and cabbage — can likewise irritate your gastrointestinal tract, due to their difficult-to-digest fibers.

‌If you’re diagnosed with either of these conditions, your doctor will help determine the best treatment plan and diet for you.

The Takeaway

  • If you experience stomach pain after eating carrots, consider adjusting your fiber intake gradually, as raw carrots can be difficult for some to digest, due to their high fiber content.
  • You might also have a food intolerance or an allergy to carrots, in which case you’ll likely need to avoid the vegetable altogether.
  • Improperly storing or not washing raw carrots before eating them can lead to food poisoning, which can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
  • If you experience digestive issues after eating carrots and are unsure of the cause, talk to your doctor.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet. Mayo Clinic. December 11, 2024.
  2. Chart of High-Fiber Foods. Mayo Clinic. November 23, 2023.
  3. Raw vs. Cooked Vegetables: What’s Healthier? University Hospitals. November 28, 2023.
  4. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020–2025. U.S. Department of Agriculture. December 2020.
  5. Food Intolerance. Cleveland Clinic. August 11, 2021.
  6. Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS). American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. January 10, 2024.
  7. Food Allergy. Mayo Clinic. August 30, 2024.
  8. Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: What’s the Difference? Mayo Clinic. February 28, 2024.
  9. Food Poisoning. MedlinePlus. December 31, 2023.
  10. Food Poisoning (Foodborne Illness). Mayo Clinic. February 23, 2024.
  11. A Nutritional Plan for Anyone Living With Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. Cleveland Clinic. January 30, 2024.
Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

See full bio

Kathleen Ferraro

Author
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network