Most people do not experience symptoms of nausea and abdominal pain after eating a normal amount of food. Occasionally, overeating may cause some stomach discomfort, such as stomachache, gas and bloating. The onset of nausea and abdominal pain after eating usually occurs as a result of abnormalities within the food or abnormal body responses.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning occurs as a result of consuming food that is contaminated with an infectious organism---bacteria, viruses, parasites---or a toxin from an infectious organism. According to MedlinePlus, most cases of food poisoning occur as a result of a common bacterium, such as Staphylococcus or E. coli. Symptoms of food poisoning can occur within hours after eating and usually include nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache and weakness. Recovery from food poisoning usually takes a few days. During duration of symptoms, you should increase fluid consumption in an effort to prevent dehydration.
Food Allergy
An adverse immune reaction to a specific food or food additive is called a food allergy. MayoClinic.com notes that even small amounts of the trigger food can cause an adverse reaction. Nausea and abdominal pain after eating are common symptoms of a food allergy. Other symptoms include tingling in the mouth, hives, itching, swelling of the lips and face, wheezing, nasal congestion, and dizziness. These symptoms can develop anywhere from a few minutes to several hours after eating. In some cases, a food allergy can be a life-threatening situation that requires you to get immediate medical attention.
Food Intolerance
A food intolerance is also characterized by an adverse reaction to a food or food additive, but it differs from a food allergy in that it does not involve an immune response. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, a food intolerance occurs as a result of poor absorption by the intestine or the release of chemicals into your body as a result of consuming a specific food or food additive. When a person with a food intolerance consumes that specific food, he may experience nausea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Unlike a food allergy, a food intolerance is not usually life-threatening. Some common food intolerances include lactose intolerance, which is the inability to digest the milk sugar lactose, and celiac disease, which is an intolerance to a protein called gluten.
