Stomach Pain After Eating Pasta

Pasta may contain some ingredients that can trigger certain medical conditions that lead to stomach pain. If you have a known food allergy, you may experience an allergic reaction after eating pasta.

Read on to learn more about the types of reactions that could explain why your stomach might hurt after eating pasta.

Food Allergy

If you have a food allergy, eating pasta may trigger an allergic reaction. Pasta dishes can include wheat, soy, eggs, and dairy, all of which are among the most common food allergens, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

If you’ve been clinically diagnosed with a specific food allergy, read the ingredients on the box of pasta before you eat it.

Gluten Intolerance

Unless it is labeled “gluten-free,” pasta contains gluten. Eating a small amount of pasta can cause severe stomach pain and other gastric symptoms to develop if you have celiac disease.

This digestive condition occurs when your immune system attacks the lining of the small intestines after you consume products that contain gluten. Doctors do not know why this transpires in the immune system, according to MedlinePlus.

Avoiding gluten is crucial for long-term digestive health if you are gluten intolerant.

Pasta Sauce

Pasta is commonly served with sauces. Two ingredients in pasta sauces that can cause stomach pain are tomatoes and dairy. Red sauces are made from tomatoes, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Given that dairy is on the USDA’s list of common food allergens, sauces that contain milk or cream can cause stomach pain because of an allergic reaction. It could also be lactose intolerance, which the Mayo Clinic says causes stomach cramping, pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea after consuming dairy products.

Frequency of Symptoms

If you experience pain in your stomach only when you eat pasta, your condition could be related to the previous conditions.

But if you develop pain in your stomach every time you eat, it could signal other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s disease. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms in order to receive an accurate diagnosis.