We don't eat fat. If we do eat fat - ugh! Common?

January 2, 2011 12:14 AM

Mr LyzzyBee and I have been on a very low saturated fat diet since March, for medical reasons. We are happy, healthy, fit, in the correct weight ranges and the doctors are happy with us. However, we were away over New Year's and, while I have really gone off stuff with fat in, Mr LB engaged fully with our hosts' food, having something we wouldn't normally have (a couple of biscuits, yesterday 2 buttered rolls with bacon and sausage) and now has an upset stomach (we do eat red meat, but only very lean / with fat trimmed). Is this common? He's scared he's got food poisoning, I think it's the fat.

We don't need info on low fat diets per se (pro or con) - ours works for us and we're happy with it. I would like evidence (anecdotal or otherwise) that eating higher sat fat after eating very little fat (esp sat fat - we have mono and poly unsaturated, fish oils etc) can give one diarrhea.

I do get stomach pains if I inadvertently eat something fatty, but then I've got a special snowflake IBS style tummy (much better since the diet, actually) so don't know if that's just me. Mr LB has a stronger constitution.

In summary: you're on a low fat diet for whatever reason - do you get a stomach upset when you eat fat?

posted by LyzzyBee to Health & Fitness (11 answers total)

I have certainly, but not anything that I would mistake for food poisoning. Of course I've never been on a low fat diet like you describe for such a continuous amount of time, but I've found even being on a rather strict diet for a week or two can cause me to get an upset stomach if I "cheat." However, it's never particularly severe.
posted by whoaali at 12:28 AM on January 2, 2011

It's totally normal to have an upset stomach (maybe not vomiting but definitely diarrhea) after a major diet change - in either direction, whether it's sudden high levels of fruits+veggies or sudden high amounts of fat.

Nothing weird here. Of course it's possible he could have food poisoning - but food poisoning is a whooole lot more than 'upset stomach', as Burhanistan describes.
posted by Lady Li at 12:35 AM on January 2, 2011

I get ick but not the consistent diarrhoea and cramping one gets with food poisoning. I don't have a gall bladder any more and when I eat too much fat I get sick (same with my brother in law) but it isn't anything that can be mistaken for food poisoning.

Particularly the seemingly minimal amount of fat - biscuits + 2 rolls doesn't scream a huge amount of over-indulgence.
posted by geek anachronism at 12:36 AM on January 2, 2011

I don't know if this resonates, but after a few years of vegetarianism I find that bacon and most other rich, fatty meat dishes don't agree with me. Usually I don't feel "food poisoning" ill, more like intense indigestion. Lots of gas. Feeling super bloated. Does it feel like that, or is he literally throwing up with food poisoning cramping and nausea and all?
posted by Sara C. at 12:45 AM on January 2, 2011

Response by poster: Oh gosh no, he has diarrhea and bloating is all, but he was worried it was the start of something. No vomming (we have norovirus all round our part of Bham but that starts with amazing vomming). Evidence on here bears out my suspicions (it was substantial chocolate biscuits and rolls stuffed full of quite fatty bacon and a couple of sausages plus fatty butter - ugh, thinking of that makes me feel ick!!)

Thanks everyone! I'll keep him rehydrated and keep myself thankful I ate only what I knew I could (plus the extra supplies I'd brought in my bag!)
posted by LyzzyBee at 1:13 AM on January 2, 2011

I gave up deep fried foods for Lent last year and that was enough to reset my stomach. We went out for fondue and it was oily enough to distress my poor insides terribly!

Lent made me realize I wasn't missing much with deep fried foods, so I have more or less given them up except for french fries. I think that's enough to keep my stomach in shape for when I indulge. Hope Mr. LB feels better!
posted by Calzephyr at 6:27 AM on January 2, 2011

I have a pretty light diet when on my own, and every time I go home (and suddenly eat out for every meal), I get terrible indigestion and a slightly nauseated feeling that will last for a day or two sometimes. The BMs will change, too.

When I recently had food poisoning, there was no confusing the two. I went from fine to intense d. and v. within an hour and was back to fine within three. I was told quick onset and resolution is pretty typical.

He should try going back to the standard fare and see if the BMs go back to normal. If it goes on for more than a week, I'd start worrying.
posted by parkerjackson at 7:20 AM on January 2, 2011

I eat a pretty rich diet, but even a normal meal at certain fast-food/greasy spoon restaurants (I'm looking at you, Steak'n'Shake) initiates horrible cramps and the need to drive immediately to home sweet toilet. Friend of mine reports that Penn Station sub sandwiches make him "shit like a rhinoceros".

So it could very easily be just a result of eating too-rich foods. If possible, have hubby drink extra water; that seems to help.
posted by notsnot at 7:40 AM on January 2, 2011

I have to eat a very low fat diet for my gallbladder condition (bilary dyskinesia). I would know within 20 minutes of consumption if I had too much fat. I feel truly awful.

Hope you feel better soon.
posted by Prairie at 7:44 AM on January 2, 2011

Yeah, this sounds very familiar to me. I eat a pretty healthy diet and a fatty restaurant meal will often give me diarrhea.
posted by WorkingMyWayHome at 9:58 PM on January 2, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks everyone! As someone used to IBS, I kept him drinking, esp after a BM (non-reduced sugar fruit squash with a pinch of salt in) and made him eat only white food yesterday! He's feeling loads better today and we both really appreciated everyone sharing their experiences with us!
posted by LyzzyBee at 1:24 AM on January 3, 2011