Everyone knows that junk food isn’t good for your health: that’s why it’s called junk food! Still, after a busy day or a stressful experience, you might crave some comfort in the form of a greasy takeout pizza or a readymade dessert.
These treats won’t have a lasting impact on your health if enjoyed in moderation, but you might find that you feel sick immediately after you’ve finished your comfort meal.
If you’re wondering why, and what you can do about it, keep reading. We’ve outlined the reasons junk food binges can cause a tummy ache and what you can do to fix the issue.
A Food Intolerance
If you find that you get a stomach ache after the same meal each time, it could be that you’re intolerant to a particular ingredient. Common intolerances include dairy, gluten and soy, but there are plenty of foods that can cause you to feel unwell. An intolerance isn’t the same as an allergy, but it can be painful and uncomfortable, so it’s worth finding out if you have one. If you think you have an intolerance to food, then get a food intolerance test from Advanced Food Intolerance Labs to diagnose the problem.
A Reaction To Additives
Most junk food products, ranging from snacks like chips and cookies to ready meals and takeout foods, contain additives and preservatives to keep them fresh and looking great. These synthetic additions to your food could be giving you a stomach problem. Many popular additives can cause stomach problems, so you might want to consider choosing a more natural pre-prepared food or just avoiding some of the worst additives. If you notice a specific food type is causing you issues, then you should stop eating those as often to ease your pain and keep yourself feeling healthy and relaxed.
You Eat Too Much In General
Eating too much can cause pain in and around your stomach as it expands to take in all the extra food. This pushes your other organs and causes discomfort. If you eat too much regularly, then it could cause weight gain and other associated health problems. It’ll also give you pain in your stomach after and between meals. It sounds simple to eat less, but it can actually be very difficult. Try slowly reducing your portion sizes and eating more foods that will keep you full for longer. Some foods that are filling include:
- Whole grains
- Lentils
- Beans
- Nuts
- Oatmeal
- Eats
- Oily fish
Summing It All Up
Getting stomach pains is never an enjoyable experience, but it’s common after having a junk food binge. Use these tips to work out the issue and find ways to feel more comfortable even when you need some delicious pre-made treats. If the problems come back or get worse, then it might be worth speaking to your doctor to see if there’s a medical issue. They can also help you to understand what’s in your food and make healthier choices, especially when it comes to treats and comfort foods.