What To Eat With Upset Stomach And Nausea

Rice Potatoes And Noodles

Starchy, plain foods like rice, potatoes and noodles are good choices when youre nauseous.

Theyre easy to prepare, high in calories and help settle your stomach.

Bland, colorless and odorless foods are often more easily tolerated, as they trigger nausea to a lesser extent than strongly flavored foods do.

Rice can be boiled or steamed and eaten plain or with light seasoning. It can also be eaten cold if hot foods are off-putting.

Alternatively, potatoes can be boiled, steamed, baked or mashed with a little butter and milk for extra calories.

Finally, noodles can be boiled and eaten plain. They can also be added to a light broth or sauce to increase your fluid intake.

Summary

Bland, starchy foods are good choices when youre nauseous, as they are mild in taste and smell and provide a good source of calories and comfort.

Bland Carbohydrates May Be More Easily Tolerated

Bland carbohydrates like rice, oatmeal, crackers and toast are often recommended for people suffering from upset stomachs.

While this recommendation is common, there is little evidence to show that they actually help relieve symptoms.

However, many people report that these foods are easier to keep down when youre not feeling well .

While bland carbohydrates may be more palatable during an illness, its important to expand your diet again as soon as possible. Restricting your diet too much may keep you from getting enough of the vitamins and minerals your body needs in order to heal .

Summary

Many people with an upset stomach find bland carbohydrates easier to tolerate than other foods, but there is little evidence to show that they actually relieve symptoms.

Eat These Foods To Reduce Nausea

Some people have an aversion to certain foods when feeling nauseous, while others have no problem eating what they please. But, finding the right food to settle your stomach can make all the difference for those who are nauseous. The key is to eat foods that are easy to digest, not too hard on the stomach, and that dont cause any nausea. Here are 15 foods to help with your nausea:

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Top 15 Best Foods To Eat When Youre Nauseous

The word nauseous is defined in the dictionary as feeling an urge to vomit. It is a common symptom of many health problems, including infections, motion sickness, and morning sickness. But can eating certain foods really help relieve your nausea? Possibly. And here are what are believed to be the best foods for reducing nausea.

Bitters And Club Soda

Although ingredients from a may seem like a strange stomach ache remedy, you can use cocktail bitters as treatment. Mix five to seven drops of bitters into a glass with club soda. Sip on the drink and add a fresh lemon slice.

You can also add bitters to tonic water or ginger ale. Alternatively, you can sip on just the club soda as an effective upset stomach medicine.

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What Is Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but rather are symptoms of many different conditions, such as infection , food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating, blocked intestine, illness, concussion or brain injury, appendicitis and migraines. Nausea and vomiting can sometimes be symptoms of more serious diseases such as heart attacks, kidney or liver disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain tumors, and some forms of cancer.

Who Is More Likely To Experience Nausea And Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can occur in both children and adults. People who are undergoing cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy, have an increased risk of nausea and vomiting. Pregnant women in their first trimester may also experience nausea and vomiting, commonly referred to as “morning sickness.” It is estimated that 50 to 90 percent of pregnant women experience nausea, while 25 to 55 percent experience vomiting.

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Heres The Best Way To Cure An Upset Stomach

A stomach ache can strike for all kinds of reasons, from contaminated food to chronic disease. It passes, sure, but the pain, headache, diarrhea, vomiting and other classic symptoms of stomach flu ensure a crummy couple of days

It can be tough to know what to put in your body when youre dealing with an upset stomach, but there are a few surefire foods. Ginger, scientifically, is a good place to start. Ginger and also turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family, seem to be anti-inflammatory, says Dr. Emeran Mayer, a professor of digestive diseases at UCLA. Both ginger and turmeric are roots, he says, and may have developed special antibacterial properties in order to withstand contamination from microorganisms in soil. Skip the sugary commercial ginger ales, which contain little real ginger, and sip water infused with ginger or turmeric instead, he advises.

Once youve stopped vomiting and your stomach feels a bit better, you will want to eat. But dont sit down for a big meal nibble food throughout the day instead, Murray explains.

Another issue is that nearly all the research linking probiotics to relief of gut-related issues has looked at freeze-dried probiotics in capsules or tablets, Mason says. Eating yogurt or Kefir or other probiotic foods to relieve symptoms may be effective, but that hasnt yet been shown.

How Are Abdominal Bloating And Nausea Treated

Abdominal bloating and nausea related to foods you eat will typically resolve after your body has had time to digest whatever has upset your stomach. Common food intolerances include lactose and gluten. Avoid eating any foods that you determine are causing abdominal bloating and nausea.

Your doctor may prescribe medication if you have underlying conditions such as acid reflux or constipation. More serious disorders, such as congestive heart failure or dumping syndrome, may require prolonged treatments.

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Causes Of An Upset Stomach

If your stomach is bothering you, it is most likely due to irritation or inflammation of your stomach lining. There are several different reasons why the lining could get irritated or inflamed.

One of the reasons could be from eating or drinking too much. Sometimes its as simple as that you had too much food during you most recent meal. Instead of having two slices of pizza you ate seven.

Drinking too much of anything can also cause an upset stomach. That includes alcohol, soda, juice, sports drinks, and even water. Although you should drink plenty of water throughout the day, if you drink too much of it too fast it can cause your belly to hurt.

Food allergies are another cause of your problem. If you are unsure about foods you may be allergic to, you can consult with your doctor and get some tests run. Common food allergies include gluten, dairy, fish, or nuts. If certain foods bother your stomach every time you eat them, its best to avoid those and find out if you are allergic.

Its also possible to get sick from food that you are not allergic to. Food poising occurs when bacteria, viruses, or parasites are in the food youre eating. That can happen if your meal is not properly prepared. For example, undercooked meat or chicken can lead to food poisoning.

Indigestion is another common cause of stomach pain. It happens when your body cannot properly process the food you ate. Poor diet choices and dehydration can cause indigestion.

Remedies And Treatments For Upset Stomach And Diarrhea

Upset Stomach Remedies

Most stomach ailments can be treated at home. As soon as you start feeling sick, begin limiting your diet to clear liquids in frequent, small amounts. Make sure to drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or a pale yellow.

If youâre not able to keep liquids down and begin to vomit, start with sips of water or sucking on ice chips. Once you are able to keep that down, try other fluids like:

• Clear soup broth or bouillon
• Clear soft-drinks like 7-Up, Sprite, or Ginger Ale
• Juices like apple, grape, cherry, or cranberry
• Popsicles

Once you are able to keep all liquids down, try some solid foods along with the liquids. Good foods to try are:

• Applesauce
• White rice
• White toast

It may take several days to one week to regain your appetite, energy level, and for your bowels to regain normalcy.

Diarrhea TreatmentsMost cases of diarrhea clear on their own within a couple of days without treatment. If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and home remedies for an upset stomach and diarrhea without success, your doctor might recommend the following:

Antibiotics might help treat diarrhea caused by bacteria or parasites. If a virus is causing your diarrhea, antibiotics won’t help. Alternatively, if your doctor determines that antibiotics are whatâs causing your diarrhea, they will likely lower the dose or switch to another medication.

Treatment to Replace Fluids

Treating underlying conditions

Upset Stomach and Diarrhea Prevention

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Nutrition For Nausea Vomiting Or Diarrhea

Nutrition for nausea, vomiting or diarrhea consists of foods that are bland and gentle on the stomach. If you have nausea or vomiting, it may be hard to hold down food. Some foods may even make your symptoms worse. If you are experiencing diarrhea, the diet suggested below may help solidify your stools.

You may have heard of the BRAT diet which stands for Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast. The BRAT diet was often recommended for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, but is no longer because of how restrictive it is. Below are lists of foods to focus on and avoid when experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, but there are many more foods that can be included.

Try Spices Like Ginger For Symptoms Relief

Ginger has been used for centuries to treat digestive issues, and it works especially well to ease nausea and vomiting. Some studies even suggest that ginger can work as well as a prescription anti-nausea medication.

You can find ginger capsules at stores that sell herbal supplements. Most clinical studies use between 250 and 500 mg of ginger to control nausea. You can also buy ginger tea or add sliced ginger root to boiling water to make your own ginger tea.

Chamomile is another natural remedy for norovirus symptoms. Chamomile has been shown to reduce vomiting, but it doesn’t work as well as ginger to control nausea.

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When To Call For Medical Advice:

• Can’t keep down liquids or food for more than 24 hours
• Have fever with abdominal pain
• Have diarrhea for more than 3 days or without gradual improvement over 5 days
• Have signs of dehydration, for example, lightheadedness, decreased urination or severe fatigue
• Took antibiotics recently
• Have bloody diarrhea
• Have abdominal pain that is not relieved by vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Have insulin-dependent diabetes and experience vomiting, diarrhea or nausea
• Are unable to take medications that you usually take
• Recently traveled to a country that poses a health risk

Avoid Fried Foods And Dairy Until Fully Healed

When you start to feel better from an upset stomach and want to expand your diet, there are certain foods you should stay away from until you’re fully healed.

“Dairy-rich and fried foods are definitely food groups you want to avoid when you experience stomach discomfort,” Smith says. This is because these food groups are generally high in fat, which can slow down your stomach emptying.

When your stomach empties slowly, you are more likely to have symptoms like nausea and stomach pain.

If your stomach is feeling upset, be careful with what you eat and drink and make sure to listen to your body’s hunger cues.

“Don’t stress if your food intake is decreased for a few days,” Smith says, “However, you should seek the guidance of a physician if you notice yourself eating significantly lesser amounts of food for more than a week.”

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When And How To Eat If You’re Nauseated:

• Eat small meals frequently. If you feel sick to your stomach between meals, try to eat 6 to 8 small meals during the day and a snack at bedtime.
• Eat food cold or at room temperature, not hot, to reduce its smell and taste.
• Don’t eat in a warm room. The air may seem stuffy and stale and may make your stomach feel worse.
• Rinse your mouth before and after meals. This helps get rid of any bad tastes in your mouth.
• Sit up or lie back with your head raised for at least an hour after eating if you need to rest. Keeping your head up helps reduce nausea.

Best Foods To Eat When You Have A Stomach Bug

Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting and sometimes fever. It often is called a stomach bug or the stomach flu, but its not actually the flu or influenza, which is a respiratory illness. This infection often develops though contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water.

An upset stomach is a common symptom of a stomach bug, and this can make eating sound unappealing, even though you may be hungry. Knowing what to eat is difficult because you dont always know whats going to agree with your stomach.

I recommend these tips for fueling your body when you have viral gastroenteritis:

The main complication of a stomach bug is dehydration a severe loss of water, and essential salts and minerals. If youre healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldnt be a problem.

Shelly Frischmann is a Family Medicine nurse practitioner in Onalaska, Wisconsin.

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

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Water And Clear Beverages

When youre nauseous, you may not feel like eating at all. However, drinking fluids and staying hydrated is crucial, especially if you have been vomiting or have a fever.

Water is always a good source of hydration, but if you have been throwing up or experiencing diarrhea, you may also need to replace lost electrolytes.

Some of the best drinks to fight dehydration and nausea include (

• Coconut water

Very sweet, caffeinated or dairy-based beverages may worsen your nausea, so it may be best to avoid them.

You may tolerate sipping cold drinks throughout the day better than drinking a lot at once, especially if you have been vomiting.

Summary

Its important to stay hydrated, especially when youre ill. Clear, cold beverages like water, oral rehydration solutions, iced tea, juice, sports drinks and coconut water can be sipped throughout the day when youre nauseous.

How Can You Prevent Nausea

Nausea can be prevented by:

• Eating small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals
• Eating slowly
• Avoiding hard-to-digest foods
• Consuming foods that are cold or at room temperature to avoid becoming nauseated from the smell of hot or warm foods

Resting after eating and keeping your head elevated about 12 inches above your feet helps reduce nausea.

If you feel nauseated when you wake up in the morning, eat some crackers before getting out of bed or eat a high protein snack before going to bed. Drink liquids between meals, and drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration. Try to eat when you feel less nauseated.

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Remedies And Treatments For Nausea

Most of the time nausea is not a cause for concern. However, there are actions you can take to minimize the unpleasant feeling.

Because nausea upsets your stomach, eating food may temporarily make things worse. A diet of clear liquids can provide the sugar, salt, and some nutrients your body needs until you can eat solid food again. Clear liquids are easy to digest and don’t put extra strain on your stomach or intestines.

The best things to drink when you’re nauseous are:

• Clear broth
• Water

You should avoid alcoholic beverages, dairy products, smoothies, and vegetable juice.

If your nausea causes frequent vomiting, doctors may give you oral rehydration therapy, which involves drinking a rehydration solution that replaces the minerals and body fluids you lost.

Because peppermint tea contains a range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it is used for a variety of ailments. One of its most well-known traditional uses is to reduce nausea by soothing your stomach. In oil form and through aromatherapy, peppermint has been studied as a nausea remedy among pregnant people.

To make this kind of tea, steep 1 teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water and strain it after ten or so minutes. When it becomes a safe temperature to drink, slowly sip the infusion and let the benefits take effect.

You can find fresh ginger root at your grocery store, or you can buy ginger supplements.

Lemon Juice And Lemonade

Lemon juice and lemonade are good drinks for nausea because lemons contain neutralizing acids, which form bicarbonates – compounds that help relieve nausea. The juice from the lemon also stirs up the saliva in your mouth, also helping to relieve nausea. .

If nausea is a frequent problem for you, you may want to stock up on lemons at the supermarket and keep lemon wedges in your refrigerator.

Lemonade is one of the best home remedies for nausea for children who are comforted by a sweet drink. However, the sugar content of lemonade doesn’t make it a great choice for frequent consumption. It can lead to sugar addiction, unhealthy blood sugar spikes, reactive hypoglycemia, and more.

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