Is it normal to poop right after you eat?

If this happens to you, you might be wondering if it’s normal. Rest assured, for most people, needing to poop right after eating is a common experience and usually nothing to worry about.

We all know that feeling: you finish a meal, and almost immediately, your stomach starts to rumble. Before you know it, you’re rushing to the bathroom.

The main reason people feel the urge to poop after eating is the gastrocolic reflex. This is a natural process that helps your body make room for incoming food. When you eat, especially if it’s a large meal or high in fat, your stomach stretches, and this triggers a signal to your colon to make room for the new food. The body responds by moving waste through your intestines and into your rectum, which is why you might feel the urge to poop.