Bananas and stomach aches?

I get horrible stomach aches after I eat bananas. Does anyone else? Can I be allergic to bananas? Is there anything I can do to not get these aches besides stop eating bananas? They are so yummy in my cereal and smoothies.

And here I thought I was the only one...  Sorry, I don't have advice, I don't know what causes it!  I googled it, but haven't ever found anything helpful!  I do find that I'm okay as long as I don't eat one on an empty stomach.  I seem to do okay if they are mixed in with things. 

Wish I could be more help, maybe someone else will???

I totally relate to this!


It's almost an acid-like feeling...?

Yes! And it's not down in my "gut," in other words, I don't feel like I have to use the restroom. It's more toward the top of my belly, like 2-3 inches above my belly button.

I have found that if I eat something sweet (fruit or otherwise) on an empty stomach I get sharp pains.

I don't know why, I just do....so I avoid it. Try drinking water or milk a little bit before and during the process of eating the banana. It might help a bit.

Edit: Nevermind, you said it's not down in your gut.

Hi,

Okay, so I am allergic to bananas and get stomach pains if I eat them. I, too, loved them and ate daily when I realized it was too painfl and I had to stop. Sry, bt I am sre yo will find this, too.

I used to get them, too...horrible....I remember when I realized it was the bananas doing it.  Even if I would drink a strawberry/banana smoothie...horrible stomach pains.  Every once in a while, I would indulge, and then pay the price.

Then a few years later....my appendix ruptured, and I ended up in the ER with emergency surgery, and was hospitalized for a week.  Ever since then, I have had no problems eating bananas...don't bother me at all, anymore!

So I don't know how the two are connected...but I thought I would let you know!

Good luck...

Doc told me they can cause constipation in children.......

Yup, I'm mildly allergic to them too (and peanuts, walnuts, and coconut) and I get nasty stomach aches. I also get sores in my mouth when I eat bananas, almost like blisters. Peanut butter and banana sandwiches are out for me, alas.

I also have this problem. I am DESPERATE for somebody to please tell me a way I can eat bananas! PLEASE! I have spent so much time googling to find a solution and it seems everyone says to stop eating them. I LOVE bananas. Im actually really upset about them upsetting my tummy. I am 22 and it started recently. I see on other blogs a lot of ppl say this starts in their early twenties. Its worse for me if I eat them for breakfast. (my stomach also disagrees with anything honey nut for breakfast but those things r ok for lunch or dinner). I tried plantains in hopes of an alternative, but within 10 minutes I felt like hurling. That lasted about 10 more minutes then I felt completely better. Bananas give me less severe queezyness but it lasts a few hours. WHAT CAN I DO? I know it sounds rediculous that I want to eat something that hurts me, but I really love them so much. I can only have like 2 bites and that will not hurt me any, but its not much. I just want to be able to sit down and enjoy a whole banana. I hate throwing away the rest. What a waste. Is it an allergy or just that my stomach disagrees? If it isnt an allergy cant I take something to combat the bloating and pain? It is in the same spot in my stomach as you guys describe. I cant afford to go have a test to see if i'm allergic. I dont have health insurance. :( 

well, i have to assume it is the high sugar content (although it is the natural sugar from the fruit).  this fruit is high on gi chart, meaning it is high in sugar.  like the lactose intolerant, they are advised to drink "lactaid" milk, which esseciantly is skim milk.  skim milk has no fat and less sugars (occuring from the high fat content of whole milk).  yeah, i was advised by my son's doc about the milk and bananas.  my son can tolerate 2% milk in school but was unable to deal with the 'pain' that the whole milk in my house caused him.  again, i learned of this through a doctor.  maybe he is right/wrong.  all i know is i stopped eating bananas because of the discomfort.  didn't like it- at all.

Are you eating bananas that are still at all green? I have heard that if you eat nanas that are still a bit green or only yellow they can cause GI issues. The thing I read said that the issues are caused by the starch in the banana and if you eat them after they have begun to spot those starches have been converted to sugar and won't bother your tummy as much (which may explain why the plantain trial didn't work for you, lilyhernandez, as they are even more starchy). They don't have to be heavily spotted, just as soon as spots start to appear. (I hate mushy nanas!)

I'd be interested in hearing if this works or not. I love bananas and (so far) they don't cause me any problems so I can't experiment on myself.

ETA: Can you eat banana bread? Since it's usually made with VERY ripe bananas if that bothers you I'd guess it a general reaction to bananas themselves. If it doesn't bother you then I'd lean more toward an issue with the starch in not-quite-ripe nanners.