Doctor Explains What It Means If You Always Need to Poop Right After Eating

If you find yourself rushing to the bathroom almost immediately after a meal, you’re definitely not alone—and there’s a scientific reason behind it. Many people assume the food they just ate shoots straight through their system, but that’s not actually what’s happening. According to physicians, this common experience is linked to a normal digestive response known as the gastrocolic reflex.

What Is the Gastrocolic Reflex?

As outlined by VeryWell Health, the gastrocolic reflex is a natural, built-in mechanism of the digestive system. When you eat, your stomach expands to make room for food. That stretching sends signals to your brain, which then tells your colon to contract. These contractions help move older waste downward so your body has space for incoming food.

Dr. Salhab—the TikTok doctor who popularized this explanation—emphasizes that what you eliminate after a meal is not the food you just consumed. Instead, it’s stool that has been sitting in your colon, made up of previously digested food, water, bacteria, and fiber.

This process is completely normal, and in fact, it’s one of the ways your body keeps digestion flowing smoothly.

Why Some People Feel the Urge More Strongly

While everyone has a gastrocolic reflex, some individuals experience a much stronger version of it. One major contributor is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). According to the Cleveland Clinic, IBS can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, excessive gas, and bloating.

For people with IBS, the colon may become extra sensitive to the signals sent after eating. This results in intense or painful contractions shortly after meals, often causing:

• sudden urgency

• cramping

• loose stools or diarrhea

• discomfort that improves after a bowel movement

Even certain emotional states—like stress, anxiety, or excitement—can intensify the reflex in people with IBS or sensitive digestive systems.

Common Trigger Foods and Habits

Dr. Salhab notes that some foods can make the gastrocolic reflex more active or irritating. If this reflex is interfering with your daily life, consider reducing or avoiding:

• carbonated beverages

• alcohol

• citrus fruits

• dairy products (if you’re lactose-sensitive)

• fried or greasy foods

• spicy dishes

• artificial sweeteners (which can cause bloating or diarrhea)

Eating large meals quickly can also overstimulate the reflex. For some people, even drinking cold beverages or morning coffee can trigger an immediate urge due to their stimulating effects on the colon.

How to Manage or Reduce Symptoms

The good news is that the gastrocolic reflex can often be controlled with lifestyle changes. Some helpful strategies include:

• eating smaller, more frequent meals

• slowing down and chewing food thoroughly

• limiting known trigger foods

• increasing soluble fiber (like oats, bananas, and chia seeds)

• managing stress through breathing exercises, yoga, or short walks

• staying hydrated to support smooth digestion

If symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by weight loss, blood in the stool, or nighttime diarrhea, a healthcare provider may recommend tests for IBS, food intolerances, or other digestive conditions.

The Bottom Line

Needing to poop right after eating isn’t usually a sign of a serious problem—it’s most often a healthy digestive reflex at work. The gastrocolic reflex helps your body clear out old waste to make room for new food. However, if the urge is unusually intense or disruptive, especially after certain foods, consulting a doctor can help identify underlying sensitivities such as IBS.