Nausea after eating can be caused by overeating, acid reflux, food intolerance, or food poisoning. See a doctor if it keeps happening.
Common causes
- Overeating or eating too fast.
- Acid reflux (GERD).
- Food intolerance.
- Food poisoning.
- Gastritis, ulcers, gallbladder problems.
- Pregnancy.
- Anxiety.
- Medicines.
Relief
Small meals, avoid greasy or spicy foods, stay upright after meals and try ginger.
See a doctor if
It happens often, with weight loss, pain or black stool.
Emergency
Chest pain, sweating or arm pain with nausea needs 911.
Pregnancy
Test after a missed period.
Tip
Track foods.
Common causes
Nausea soon after eating has the same list of causes as general nausea, but timing helps point to the cause.
- Overeating or eating very fast.
- Fatty or greasy food, which slows digestion.
- Acid reflux and heartburn: nausea with burning in the chest and sour taste.
- Gastritis or ulcers: pain with nausea, worse when stomach is empty or after meals.
- Gallbladder disease: right upper abdominal pain with nausea about an hour after meals.
- Gastroparesis, common in diabetes.
- Food poisoning, with nausea within hours of a bad meal.
- Lactose intolerance and other intolerances.
- Dumping syndrome after stomach surgery or gastric bypass: nausea, sweating, cramps and diarrhea within 10 to 30 minutes of eating.
- Anxiety.
- Pregnancy.
- Medications and supplements, especially on an empty stomach.
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Relief
- Rest sitting upright after a meal.
- Sip clear liquids and ginger tea.
- Eat bland foods, like crackers, rice or toast.
- Small portions more often.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, spicy and greasy foods.
- Antacids for reflux.
- Wait to exercise until at least an hour after eating.
See a doctor if
Symptoms are recurrent, last more than two weeks, or come with weight loss, vomiting, severe pain, fever, jaundice, black stools or trouble swallowing. Tests may include upper endoscopy, ultrasound, blood tests, or a gastric emptying study.
Emergency
Get emergency help if nausea comes with chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, sweating, a severe headache, confusion, or severe abdominal pain. Heart attacks can cause nausea after meals, especially in women and older adults.
Pregnancy
If you could be pregnant, nausea may be an early sign. Take a test. Eating small meals and dry crackers before getting out of bed helps. Vitamin B6 is often recommended, and doctors can prescribe medicine if you cannot keep food down.
Tip
Write down the time between eating and nausea, what you ate and any other symptoms. This pattern helps your doctor.
Common medical conditions after meals
Nausea after eating may come from overeating, rich or fatty foods, acid reflux, gastritis, gallbladder disease, food poisoning, gastroparesis, ulcers or food allergies. Dumping syndrome, in which food moves too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine, occurs in about 20 to 50 percent of people after stomach surgery and causes nausea, cramping and sweating within 30 minutes to 3 hours. Pancreatitis causes upper abdominal pain that spreads to the back with nausea after meals. Early pregnancy and anxiety can also trigger it. Eat smaller portions, avoid fried and spicy foods, drink liquids between meals and sit upright after eating. Antacids and ginger may help mild symptoms. See a doctor if nausea recurs after most meals, or comes with weight loss, vomiting, pain, yellow skin or black stools. Chest pain with nausea can be a heart attack symptom and needs a 911 call.
Based on data from the Mayo Clinic and the NIDDK
