Why Does In-N-Out Burger Give Me Diarrhea? An Investigation

Why Does In-N-Out Give Me Diarrhea?

If you've ever indulged in a delicious In-N-Out burger only to later experience abdominal cramps and diarrhea, you're not alone. Many people wonder why these juicy burgers would cause such digestive distress. There are a few key reasons why In-N-Out may trigger diarrhea.

High Fat Content

One of the main culprits is the high fat content in In-N-Out burgers and fries. Beef patties, cheese, special sauce, and oil for frying contain a lot of fat. Too much dietary fat can overwhelm your digestive system, resulting in diarrhea. Fat digestion requires bile salts and enzymes from your gallbladder and small intestine. Eating more fat than your body can handle leads to undigested fat in your colon, causing diarrhea.

Dairy Intolerance

Many people are lactose intolerant or have a dairy sensitivity. This means they lack enough of the enzyme lactase to properly digest milk sugars. Dairy ingredients like cheese and special sauce can trigger diarrhea if you're lactose intolerant. Even small amounts of dairy can stimulate the gut to move things along more quickly, before nutrients are fully absorbed. This causes watery diarrhea.

High FODMAP Vegetables

Onions and garlic are part of the FODMAP family of carbohydrates that can ferment in the gut and produce gas, bloating, and diarrhea in sensitive individuals. In-N-Out burgers contain diced onions. Their fries are also cooked in vegetable oil that may contain onion or garlic. So if you're prone to IBS diarrhea after eating onions or garlic, In-N-Out is likely to cause problems.

Added Sugars

The sweet taste of In-N-Out's special sauce comes partially from added sugars. Their burger sauce contains relish, which is made with sugar. Milkshakes and lemonade available from In-N-Out also contain considerable added sugar. Too much sugar can pull water into your intestines via osmosis, causing diarrhea. Your gut bacteria also ferment excess sugars, producing gas and loose stools.

High Sodium Content

There's a lot of sodium in In-N-Out burgers, fries, and shakes. One double double burger has over 1,000 mg sodium. Add cheese and special sauce, and you can easily exceed the recommended limit for sodium in a single meal. Too much sodium draws fluid into the intestinal tract, leading to watery stool. People with salt-sensitive IBS are especially prone to diarrhea from excessive sodium intake.

Spicy Peppers

In-N-Out offers chopped chili peppers as a burger topping. These spicy peppers contain capsaicin, which can irritate the digestive tract. Capsaicin stimulates intestinal contractions to move stools along faster. It also increases secretion of fluids into the small intestine. Together, these effects make diarrhea more likely, especially if you're not used to eating spicy food.

High Protein Load

A double double In-N-Out burger provides about 44 grams of protein. Add fries and a shake, and your meal may contain 60-80 grams of protein. That's a lot of protein to digest all at once! Too much protein causes bacteria in your colon to produce hydrogen, methane, and other gases that can lead to diarrhea. Protein digestion also requires more water, so excess protein intake causes loose stools.

Foodborne Illness

Although rare, there is a small risk of foodborne illness when eating any burger from a restaurant. E. coli, Salmonella, and norovirus can contaminate beef and produce if proper handling and cooking protocols aren't followed. In-N-Out has very high food safety standards, but no restaurant is immune to foodborne pathogens. If you develop vomiting, fever, and bloody diarrhea after eating In-N-Out, see a doctor immediately.

Individual Food Intolerances

Some people may have personal intolerances to specific ingredients in In-N-Out burgers or fries. For example, wheat gluten, corn or sunflower oil, spices, and preservatives can cause problems for those with food sensitivities. It's impossible to know if multiple mild intolerances to various ingredients may be additive and lead to diarrhea.

High Fiber Bun

In-N-Out burgers are served on a high fiber potato bun. While dietary fiber is incredibly healthy, increasing your intake too quickly can trigger digestive issues like diarrhea. Soluble fiber from the bun absorbs water in your colon, softening stools. Insoluble fiber can't be digested and adds bulk as it moves through the GI tract. Together, these effects result in loose stools if you're not used to high fiber.

Caffeine Content

In-N-Out serves sodas, milkshakes, and coffee alongside their burgers and fries. These beverages all provide caffeine, which is another stimulant that can cause loose stools. Caffeine increases muscle contractions in the colon, speeding up transit time. It also amplifies the gastrocolic reflex, which coordinates food ingestion with the urge to poop. Too much caffeine when your body isn't used to it can lead to urgent, watery diarrhea.

Natural Variability

Diarrhea can happen after eating any meal for reasons not directly related to the food itself. Stress, hormones, exercise, and your natural gut microbiome all impact stool consistency from day to day. It may be coincidental that you had diarrhea after eating In-N-Out rather than a direct response to the meal. Monitor what else is going on and how you feel with other meals to pinpoint if In-N-Out is really the culprit.

How to Prevent In-N-Out Diarrhea

If you want to keep enjoying In-N-Out without intestinal discomfort and loose stools, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the risks:

• Avoid the spicy chopped chili peppers
• Order burgers with extra vegetables instead of extra cheese or special sauce
• Skip the fried foods and just order a burger with tomato and lettuce
• Opt for water instead of soda, milkshakes or lemonade
• Take a lactase supplement if you are lactose intolerant
• Take Imodium before eating In-N-Out if you know it causes diarrhea for you
• Limit sodium intake the rest of the day
• Spread high protein and high fat meals throughout the day rather than just at one sitting

Making simple modifications to your order, hydrating well, taking supplements as needed, and not overconsuming In-N-Out in one sitting can often prevent the unfortunate diarrhea side effect. But if problems persist, you may need to avoid In-N-Out altogether and find another burger restaurant that agrees with your digestive system better.

When to See a Doctor

Occasional loose stools after eating a large, fatty meal are not necessarily a cause for concern. However, if you experience persistent diarrhea after every time you eat at In-N-Out or other restaurants, see your doctor, especially if you also have symptoms like:

• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Fever over 101°F (38°C)
• Significant weight loss

These may indicate an underlying digestive condition, food allergy/intolerance, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, or other health issue requiring medical attention. Diagnostic tests like stool analysis, allergy testing, endoscopy, and colonoscopy can help identify the root cause so you can get proper treatment.

The Bottom Line

Indulging in In-N-Out's juicy burgers and crispy fries once in a while is unlikely to cause harm. But regularly eating large, high-fat, high-protein, high-sodium meals can definitely irritate your digestive system and result in diarrhea. Avoiding triggers like dairy, grease, excess sodium, fried

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.