The pleasure of eating granola may come to an abrupt end if you develop diarrhea shortly after consuming the food. Granola is commonly consumed as a breakfast cereal and used as a topping for yogurt. If you have certain digestive conditions, you may develop loose stools and abdominal pain after eating granola. Granola is also high in fever, which could cause diarrhea if you don't consume a high-fiber diet regularly.
Celiac Disease
Most granola contains gluten, a protein found in various grains, such as oats, barley, rye and wheat. If you have celiac disease, consuming gluten will cause damage to the lining of your intestines, resulting in stomach pain, diarrhea and bloating. Celiac disease is still not fully understood, but the medical field is aware that for an unknown reason, the immune system attacks the lining of your intestines when you consume gluten, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. If you've been diagnosed with celiac diseases, purchase granola that is certified gluten-free to avoid negative side effects.
Allergic Reaction
If you're allergic to one or more of the ingredients in granola, you may develop diarrhea and other symptoms within a few minutes of ingesting the cereal. An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system overreacts to the proteins in certain foods. The overreaction causes your body to produce immunoglobulin E antibodies and other chemicals that cause inflammation in the soft tissues of your digestive system. The inflammation can lead to diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and bloating. A severe allergic reaction can result in death if not treated properly, according to MayoClinic.com.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic digestive condition that mainly affects your colon. Your colon is lined with muscles that contract to push waste from colon and out of your anus. If you have IBS, your colon muscles contract erratically, causing chronic problems with diarrhea or constipation. Not everyone with IBS can tolerate certain foods. If you have IBS and you notice that consuming granola triggers diarrhea, avoid the food and talk with your doctor.
Too Much Fiber
If you're not used to consuming a lot of fiber, eating granola may cause temporary bloating, gas and diarrhea. MedlinePlus states that the average American eats around 10 to 15 grams of fiber daily, while the average person should consume between 20 and 35 grams of fiber daily. If you suddenly increase the amount of fiber you eat from foods like granola, you may develop temporary diarrhea. Cut back on fiber and call your doctor if the diarrhea doesn't subside after 24 hours.
