Nausea and Vomiting After Eating: Causes and Tips on How to Prevent It

Causes of Vomiting

5. Gastroparesis

Another cause of vomiting after eating that may occur is delayed stomach emptying of food (gastroparesis). Gastroparesis is a disorder in which the stomach empties very slowly.

Food that can be digested in about four hours in a healthy person may take days to empty the stomach of a person with gastroparesis, says Francisco J. Marrero, MD, a gastroenterologist with the Digestive Disease Institute at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve, which contracts in the stomach to push food further down the digestive tract, becomes damaged in some way.

6. Pregnancy

One of the earliest signs that you are pregnant is feeling uncomfortable and nauseous, which often begins in the second month of your pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels trigger pregnancy nausea.

Although officially called "morning sickness", nausea can strike at any time, including when eating. Sometimes the smell or taste of certain foods is enough to make your stomach churn. The feeling is temporary, and will not harm you or your baby.

7. Stress and Anxiety

Do you know that stress can trigger nausea and vomiting after eating?

Stress doesn't just affect your emotions. It affects your physical health as well. A difficult breakup or job loss can make you lose your appetite, or feel nauseous and vomiting after eating. Nausea will subside once you control stress.

8. Cancer Treatment

Some chemotherapy drugs cause nausea as a side effect. Nausea will go away after you finish the treatment.

When to See Doctor

Occasional nausea and vomiting after eating are nothing to worry about, but you should call your doctor if it doesn't go away within a week. Call immediately if you have any of these other more serious symptoms:

• chest pain

• blood in your stools or vomit

• extreme thirst, low urine production, weakness, or dizziness, which are signs of dehydration

• confusion

• intense pain in the abdomen

• rapid heartbeat

• diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days

• severe vomiting or trouble keeping food down

• fever of over 101.5°F (38.6°C) 

In kids underage 6, call their pediatrician in case:

• you see signs of dehydration, such as little or no wet diaper, no tears, or sunken cheeks

• vomiting lasts for more than a few hours

• diarrhea doesn’t go away

• your child is running a fever higher than 100°F (37.8°C)

Tips for Prevention

Here are some tips to avoid vomiting after eating:

• Avoid greasy, fried, or spicy foods.

• Suck on ice cubes or crushed ice.

• Eat smaller meals more often, rather than three large meals

• Eat and drink slowly.

• Relax and sit still after you eat to give your food time to digest.

• Serve food cold or at room temperature if the smell of cooked food makes you feel nauseous.