Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

upset stomach from cereal

In recent years I often get an upset stomach from having a bowl of cereal in the morning.  The upset stomach will go away in about 15 minutes and then I am fine after that.  I did not have this problem about 5 years ago (I am now 61).  I am in otherwise excellent health, run, ski, etc... and do not take any medications.  I can drink milk by itself with no reaction, so I do not think I am lactose intolerant.  The type of cereal does not seem to matter, however hot cereal like oatmeal does not cause this.  And strangely, I do not always get an upset stomach, maybe 50% of the time.  I generally have 2 cups of coffee in morning before the cereal.  I am very puzzled.  Any ideas?  Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?  Thanks for any help.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I know I’m late to this party, but I have the same problem. I know it’s not the milk because I can eat ice cream and other dairy products with no problem at all. Lots of it.  But I have discovered 2 odd things: 1) I can eat Grape Nuts (the gravely type - including the store brands) with NO problem at all; and 2) I am able eat almost any cereal in the evening for dinner or a snack with NO problem. I only seem to have issues in the mornings or afternoons. This leads me to suspect it is a sensitivity to high fructose corn syrup or some other common additive and consuming it on an empty stomach intensifies it. It gives me almost immediate abdominal cramps and sends me to the bathroom for a good bit.  Also, commercially baked goods have a similar effect if eaten in the morning.  On a side note, I also have sensitivities to MSG in high quantities such as in ramen noodles, reconstituted beverages, instant dips, or similar items. (MSG comes disguised as many things).  The reactions to MSG include stomach issues and heart palpitations, extreme weakness, sudden fatigue, confusion, etc.  I am also allergic to tannins in red wine, which make me vomit if I consume more than a glass. I hope sharing this info will be helpful to others trying to get to the bottom of their problem. Perhaps some of these sensitivities  tend to go hand in hand.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
This is a very old post, but I would say, if you stay out of the supermarket you can buy great cereals that don't have the additives you're worrying about.  As for dairy, everyone has a problem with dairy except a couple of ethnic groups because nobody else has the enzyme to digest it.  Mammals just don't drink milk after weaning and obviously are only adapted to eat the milk from a mother when a newborn in their own species.  That being said, that doesn't mean never eat dairy, but it does mean eat it with moderation, try to avoid cow dairy as the cow is a human invention and has a very weird digestive system or try to eat your dairy as much as possible in a cultured or fermented form.  The insidious thing about dairy is most people don't notice the ill effects until they get older and get lots of inflammation and subtle magnesium deficiencies that lead to osteoporosis and other problems because dairy has such high calcium content and very little magnesium and they are in balance in a healthy body.  You'll never know if it was the dairy that bit you, but we can all avoid this by avoiding the marketing -- drinking a lot of milk was a product of a joint gov't/industry marketing campaign, not something people historically did or do in other countries.  Mostly they use dairy in a fermented or cultured form.  I'm not saying dairy is your problem with cereal -- it apparently isn't -- I'm just saying this in case anyone reads this other than you.  It's just one of those things that we have a better bet on a healthy life if we do it in moderation and in the better more digestible forms.  As for what's going on in your case, who knows?  I certainly don't.  You are eating two of the most problematic foods in the cereals you like -- dairy and wheat.  But it could also be that you like cereal that is high in fiber and some people with certain digestive problems do have a problem with high fiber products on an empty stomach because it causes it to churn.  But again, who knows?  
Avatar universal
   I have found that many people have become intolerant to breakfast cereals, though I don't know just why. If it's a problem with carbohydrate digestion, a digestive enzyme blend with amylase should end the problem.
  It might also be caused by a deficiency of stomach acid, and the combination of milk protein and carbohydrates.
Oh well, I'm still workin' on this.
Helpful - 0
332156 tn?1266843139
I am the same way! I am 26 and I have been like that for as long as I can remember.  I have always thought it was strange but I never found out why or what was the cause.  I guess I just figured I would just deal with toast and tea in the morning.
Helpful - 0
203342 tn?1328737207
I know exactly what you mean! I can't eat a bowel of cereal either. It's weird because I can put cream or milk in my coffee but not milk in my cereal. I thought it must be the lactose and maybe it's just that it's because there's more in a bowel of cereal? Anyway, that's what I thought that maybe it was the amount because I can seem to take milk in little bits.
Sorry if that doesn't help much but I know how you feel!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Nutrition Community

Top Healthy Living Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
14 super-healthy foods that are worth the hype
Small changes make a big impact with these easy ways to cut hundreds of calories a day.
Forget the fountain of youth – try flossing instead! Here are 11 surprising ways to live longer.
From STD tests to mammograms, find out which screening tests you need - and when to get them.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.