Thirty-three edibles and beverages for managing stomach upset
Recovering from Stomach Flu: A Guide to Foods and Drinks
Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, can be a challenging experience. But with the right approach, recovery can be quick and smooth. Here's a guide to the foods and drinks that can help, along with those to avoid, during your recovery.
Foods and Drinks to Help Recovery
Hydration is key when recovering from stomach flu. Fluids like boiled water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), clear broths, sugar-free electrolyte drinks or powders, ice chips/ice pops (preferably sugar-free), and diluted light lemon water help replace lost fluids and electrolytes due to vomiting and diarrhea. Once able to tolerate fluids, start with the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—which are gentle on the stomach. Other mild foods to consider include boiled potatoes, steamed rice, curd rice, plain moong dal khichdi, roti without oil or ghee, chicken soup, garlic, leafy greens, and vitamin C sources like orange juice (in moderation if tolerated). Sugar-free ice pops might also soothe symptoms.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
During recovery, it's best to avoid dairy products, spicy, fatty, or fried foods, sugary drinks, and certain natural drinks. Dairy can irritate the digestive tract, while spicy, fatty, or fried foods are harder to digest and may worsen symptoms. Sugary drinks, such as soda, fruit juices with added sugar, sports drinks like Gatorade, and coconut water (due to imbalanced electrolytes) should also be avoided. Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, and alcohol, may irritate the stomach and worsen dehydration. Packaged juices and aerated drinks can increase stomach upset and are high in sugar and additives to avoid during recovery.
Additional Tips
To prevent nausea and vomiting, take small sips of fluids frequently rather than large amounts at once. Gradually reintroduce foods as tolerated, starting with liquids and bland foods, then moving to more solid foods over time. Monitor for signs of dehydration, such as dark urine, a dry mouth, dizziness, rapid breathing, sunken eyes or cheeks, rapid heartbeat, fainting, or muscle cramps. If severe symptoms appear, seek medical help immediately.
In summary, prioritizing hydration with appropriate fluids and easing back into bland, low-fat, low-fiber foods aids stomach flu recovery, while avoiding irritants like dairy, spicy/fatty foods, caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks supports healing.
- Despite the challenges of stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, recovery can be made swift and comfortable with the right choices in food and drink.
- During this delicate time, it's crucial to focus on replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes due to vomiting and diarrhea.
- Hydration choices include boiled water, oral rehydration solutions, clear broths, sugar-free electrolyte drinks or powders, ice chips, sugar-free ice pops, and diluted light lemon water.
- Once ready for food, the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is gentle on the stomach and can be initiates.
- Other light foods to consider are boiled potatoes, steamed rice, curd rice, plain moong dal khichdi, roti without oil or ghee, chicken soup, garlic, leafy greens, and orange juice (in moderation).
- Conversely, it's advisable to steer clear of dairy products, spicy, fatty, or fried foods, sugary drinks, and certain natural drinks during recovery.
- Dairy can irritate the digestive tract, while spicy, fatty, or fried foods may worsen symptoms.
- Sugary drinks, such as soda, fruit juices with added sugar, sports drinks, and coconut water should be avoided due to their potential to exacerbate symptoms.
- Caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, and alcohol, may irritate the stomach and worsen dehydration.
- Packaged juices and aerated drinks can increase stomach upset and are high in sugar and additives to avoid during recovery.
- To minimize nausea and vomiting, consume small sips of fluids frequently instead of large amounts at once.
- As symptoms ease, gradually reintroduce foods, starting with liquids and bland foods, then moving to more solid foods over time.
- Keep an eye out for signs of dehydration, such as dark urine, dry mouth, dizziness, rapid breathing, sunken eyes or cheeks, rapid heartbeat, fainting, or muscle cramps, and seek medical help immediately if severe symptoms appear.
