Why Does Turkey Give You Gas?
Health ConditionsDigestive Health

4 Reasons Why Turkey Can Cause Stomach Cramps and Gas

4 Reasons Why Turkey Can Cause Stomach Cramps and Gas
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Updated on August 6, 2025
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There's nothing like a delicious turkey dinner — that is, unless your meal leaves you with an upset stomach.

While most people can enjoy turkey without issues, there are a few reasons why this lean poultry might leave you with gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal cramping, bloating, and gas.

1. You Ate Too Quickly

If you have stomach cramps or gas after eating turkey, it may have more to do with how you ate rather than what you ate. That's because you can swallow excess air when you eat too fast, which — you guessed it — can lead to gas and abdominal pain.

In the future, tuck into your turkey a little more slowly to avoid swallowing too much air.

2. You Have an Allergy

If you have stomach issues every time you eat turkey and other meat, you may have a meat allergy. Though this type of allergy is rare, it does occur.

Besides abdominal cramping, a meat allergy can cause symptoms like:

  • Vomiting
  • Indigestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Cough
  • Tightness in throat
  • Swelling, often on your mouth and lips
  • Weak pulse
  • Pale or blue coloring of the skin
  • Hives
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
It's also important to consider the other foods, condiments, and spices included in the turkey dish you ate as you may be experiencing a reaction to another ingredient. Common food allergens include:

  • Shellfish like shrimp, lobster, and crab
  • Fish
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts like walnuts and pecans
  • Eggs
  • Cow's milk
  • Wheat
  • Soy

The fix? Avoid turkey (or the food in the dish that triggered a reaction) to prevent potentially dangerous allergic symptoms.

Some people may have a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which causes your throat to close up and makes it difficult to breathe. Seek medical care immediately if this happens to you.

3. You Have a Food Intolerance

If turkey causes gas or stomach upset frequently, a food intolerance may be to blame. This is when you have difficulty digesting certain foods, which can lead to symptoms like:

  • Stomach pain
  • Gas
  • Bloating
  • Diarrhea
  • Skin rash or itching
Some reasons you might have a food intolerance include:

  • You have irritable bowel syndrome
  • You're sensitive to food additives
  • You don't have an enzyme needed to digest a specific food
Note that a food intolerance is different from a food allergy. Here's how you tell them apart: An allergy causes a range of symptoms (including digestive, respiratory, and skin-related issues), whereas an intolerance is typically less severe and mainly produces digestive symptoms.

If you regularly have gastrointestinal issues like cramps, gas, or diarrhea after eating turkey, it may be best to skip the dish.

4. You Got Food Poisoning

An isolated instance where you develop digestive issues several hours after eating turkey may be related to food poisoning.

Foodborne illness occurs when you eat something contaminated with an infectious organism like a parasite, bacteria, or virus.

 Turkey that is raw, undercooked or left at room temperature for too long may allow these disease-causing organisms to flourish.
Symptoms of food poisoning can include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain and cramps
  • Fever
To prevent food poisoning, handle your turkey safely by avoiding cross contamination in the kitchen. Use separate utensils and cutting boards to prep your meat and veggies.

 Defrost turkey in the refrigerator or in a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Never defrost meat or poultry on your counter.

 Finally, make sure to properly cook turkey to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F before you eat it.

Most cases of food poisoning resolve on their own within a few days. But if you have bloody vomit or stool, have diarrhea for more than three days, or experience extreme pain, call your doctor right away.

The Takeaway

  • If turkey often leads to digestive issues like stomach cramps and gas, you might have a meat allergy or intolerance. Or you simply may need to eat your food more slowly to minimize air swallowing, which can cause gastrointestinal upset.
  • Abdominal pain and cramps after eating turkey might also be signs of food poisoning, which can occur when your food is contaminated with an infectious organism.
  • If digestive symptoms after eating turkey persist or worsen, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out infections, allergies, intolerances, or other gastrointestinal conditions.
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. Mayo Clinic Staff. Gas and Gas Pains. Mayo Clinic. January 6, 2022.
  2. Meat Allergy. American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. May 8, 2019.
  3. Mayo Clinic Staff. Food Allergy. Mayo Clinic. August 30, 2024.
  4. Food Intolerance. Cleveland Clinic. August 11, 2021.
  5. Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: What's the Difference? Mayo Clinic. February 28, 2024.
  6. Mayo Clinic Staff. Food Poisoning. Mayo Clinic. February 23, 2024.
  7. Cutting Boards. U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. August 27, 2024.
  8. The Big Thaw — Safe Defrosting Methods. U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. June 15, 2013.
  9. Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. April 14, 2025.
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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.

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Diane Marks

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Diane Marks started her writing career in 2010 and has been in health care administration for more than 30 years. She holds a registered nurse license from Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in health care education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

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