Causes and When To Seek Care

Your stool color and quality can be indicators of your health or lifestyle. It is normal for undigested food to appear in your stool if you eat a high-fiber diet. Having undigested food in your stool along with other symptoms, like diarrhea or cramping, can warrant medical attention.

The occasional undigested food in your stool is typically nothing to worry about. The food you eat can contribute to seeing undigested food in your poop. Foods that are high in fiber are important for healthy digestion, but can be harder for your body to break down.

These might include foods such as:

• Beans and legumes
• Grains
• Nuts and seeds
• Raw fruits and vegetables and their skins

There are enzymes (natural complex proteins that lead to chemical changes in your body) that help break down food. High-fiber foods often pass through your body only partially digested. The enzymes in your digestive system do not fully break down dietary fiber, so it passes in your stool.

Food may be passing through your intestine too fast. This can result in portions of food remaining undigested in your stool. Another outcome of fast digestion is diarrhea, or when you have loose or watery stools.

Diarrhea may indicate that your body is not absorbing nutrients properly, which can result from conditions like:

• Celiac disease: This condition causes the immune system to attack the small intestine in response to gluten.
• Dumping syndrome: This can happen if refined sugars move too quickly through your stomach and into your small intestine.
• Food allergies or intolerances: These are reactions to certain foods, such as dairy products, fish, nuts, or soy. A food allergy involves the immune system, while an intolerance does not.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): This group of digestive disorders causes inflammation of the small or large intestine. It includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): This condition is characterized by abdominal pain and constipation, diarrhea, or both.
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): This overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
• Viral gastrointestinal infections: Certain infections like gastroenteritis can speed up the transit time of stool that moves through your digestive tract and lead to diarrhea.

Inadequate food digestion can lead to undigested food in your poop. There are other possible risks if food is not digested properly.

Malabsorption

Malabsorption is a lack of proper absorption, digestion, or transportation of nutrients. It may result in the following symptoms:

• Anemia
• Bloating and diarrhea
• Stool changes, such as fatty, odorous stools
• Unintentional weight loss
• Wound healing issues

Bezoars

Packed collections of partially digested or undigested substances are known as bezoars. They are often found in the stomach and do not usually have symptoms. Although rare, bezoars can cause bleeding and intestinal obstruction.

It is important to contact a healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a condition that may cause malabsorption. Signs to seek medical attention include:

• Bloating or gas
• Cramps
• Diarrhea that does not go away or worsens
• Steatorrhea, or fatty stools
• Unexplained weight loss

A healthcare provider can administer tests to diagnose any underlying conditions. They can also recommend treatment based on the cause.

Making changes to how you eat can help with digestion. Some eating tips include:

• Chew your food thoroughly.
• Eat more slowly.
• Sit down to eat.
• Take smaller bites of food or cut food into smaller pieces.

There are also ways to ensure that your body can digest food properly, such as:

• Add enough fiber to your diet.
• Create a meal routine (e.g., trying to eat at the same times every day).
• Consume probiotic-rich foods (e.g., yogurt, kefir).
• Drink plenty of water.
• Manage stress.

It’s common to see undigested food in your poop, especially if you eat high-fiber foods. These foods are sometimes harder for your body to fully digest or break down.

A digestive issue, such as food allergies or intolerances, can also cause undigested food in stool if high-fiber food is not the culprit. It is best to see a healthcare provider who can determine the possible cause if you are unsure or have other gastrointestinal symptoms.