Food do's and don'ts when you've had a stomach bug
Food do's and don'ts when you've had a stomach bug
When you have a stomach bug it feels like the end of the world. You don't know if you have food poisoning or if you have the flu. It can be hard to tell sometimes. But, people do get 24-hour stomach bugs all the time. If yours is lasting longer than 24 hours or you have a fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, seek medical attention.
Do: Drink Lots of Clear Liquids
Clear liquids are the best choice when you are sick with a stomach bug. Whether you have diarrhea or you're throwing up or both, clear liquids will help hydrate you and also give you some calories and nutrition to help you get better.
Do: Eat Healthy Carbohydrates
We're always told not to eat carbs, but complex carbs are good for you. Rice, potatoes, whole grains like rye bread, oatmeal, and vegetables are good choices. These foods will provide energy and help your stomach feel better.
Do: Suck on Ice Chips or Popsicles
You need to stay hydrated, especially if you're sick with diarrhea or vomiting. In fact, if you get too dehydrated you can end up with a secondary problem called dehydration which also causes stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Do: Eat Lean Protein
If you do feel up to it, try adding a little lean protein to your food. For example, skinless lean chicken breast or legumes added to your soup will help you get extra calories without adding too much fat to your already upset tummy.
Do: Eat Garlicky Foods
A natural antibiotic, adding garlic to your broth is a great way to give yourself an added boost to get over your illness faster. Garlic can also actually heal the stomach so that you can get better faster.
Don't: Drink Caffeine / Coffee / Soda
The problem with caffeine is that it can cause some people to experience contractions that cause them to defecate. When you already have a stomach bug, you don't want anything encouraging more of that.
Don't: Eat or Drink Dairy Products
When you are already sick, trying to eat dairy products can make your tummy troubles much worse. The reason is that dairy is already hard to digest for some adults and children.
Don't: Eat Spicy or Greasy Food
While spicy food can help with a cold if you have a stuffy nose, it's not a good idea to eat it or fatty foods when you already have diarrhea. You really don't want to experience the runs when you've eaten spicy food. You also don't want to throw up spicy food because it will cause you more pain and damage.
Don't: Force Yourself to Eat
While you do want to try to eat, if you can't stop vomiting it's best to give your system a rest. Don't starve yourself on purpose; try eating popsicles, broth, rice, mashed potatoes (without dairy) and foods that are easy on your tummy before giving up. Eating bananas can also help.
Don't: Drink Alcohol
Alcohol can irritate your digestive system, which is the last thing you want when you have a stomach bug.
The stomach bug is never fun. It can ruin your entire week. But, you can make yourself get better faster if you eat regularly, get plenty of fluids, and rest.
Next time we'll focus on the do's and don'ts regarding food when you're feeling blue.