Stomach flu what should i drink

If cooking these foods, a person should be careful when frying them in fats such as butter or oil, as this can worsen stomach flu symptoms.

An alternative way to cook them is by boiling them. Learn more about what a person can eat on a bland diet here. The BRAT diet is a type of bland diet. According to the Oncology Nursing Society , doctors often recommend the BRAT diet for adults and children with upset stomachs or diarrhea. A person can ease into a bland diet as they feel ready for food. Generally, with the BRAT diet, a person can incorporate additional foods back into their diet as they feel better.

Learn more about the BRAT diet here. A person can eat boiled starches when they have diarrhea. Boiled starches can include foods such as:. Both diarrhea and vomiting can cause a person to lose a lot of liquids.

Drinking fluids that contain electrolytes can help prevent dehydration. To help prevent dehydration, older children and adults can drink sports drinks such as Gatorade. These can make diarrhea symptoms worse. Learn how to tell if a product has too much sugar here. In terms of food, saltine crackers can be a good way to replace electrolytes.

Learn more about electrolytes in food here. Oral rehydration solutions, which contain glucose and electrolytes, are another good way of rehydrating the body if it has lost liquids due to stomach flu.

To make an oral rehydration solution at home, boil 1 liter of water, add half a small spoon of salt and six level small spoons of sugar, and dissolve. The World Health Organization WHO state that this method is most effective at preventing or delaying diarrhea caused by dehydration but that people should not use it as their sole method of treating it.

A great way to include liquids in the diet that give more flavor is to consume healthy teas. A recent review found that many studies show the positive effects of ginger tea in reducing nausea.

However, the review authors did go on to say that more studies are necessary to confirm this. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Wait until 2 hours have passed since your last episode of vomiting.

Start with small frequent sips. Water, clear soda stir it well to release more carbonation , herbal decaffeinated tea, broth or over-the-counter electrolyte replacements are great ways to avoid dehydration when you have a stomach flu with frequent diarrhea or vomiting.

Lipold says. The BRAT diet. BRAT bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast has long been a popular strategy for managing gastrointestinal symptoms of the stomach flu, especially in children. However, the diet lacks many key nutrients like protein, fat, and vitamins A and B12 so it doesn't offer optimal nutrition for your recovering gut and should not be followed for more than a few days, says Sashini Seeni , MBBS, a general practitioner of medicine at DoctorOnCall.

It's imperative to stay hydrated when you have the stomach flu. However, if you find it difficult to consume enough liquids without feeling nauseous or vomiting, experts agree that eating ice chips is a great way to slowly retain your fluids. First, see if your stomach can handle ice chips without having an adverse reaction, says Jay Woody , MD, an emergency medicine physician and chief medical officer of Intuitive Health. If you've been vomiting, Seeni advises waiting two hours before trying ice chips — then try sucking on small amounts at first to see if you can tolerate them.

According to Seeni, plain potatoes are a solid food choice because they're easy to digest and loaded with potassium — an electrolyte that can become depleted during the stomach flu due to vomiting and diarrhea.

The best method of cooking your potatoes — or other vegetables — when you have the stomach flu is to steam them because it breaks down some of the hard-to-digest fibers. Also, avoid additives like butter and cheese because they contain fat that may upset your delicate digestive state.

Instead, a little salt and pepper should do the trick. Ginger root is known to have antiemetic properties , meaning it may help to ease nausea and vomiting. Given that ginger can cause mild abdominal discomfort , heartburn, and gas in some people, it's best to start with a small dose. If you're pregnant, have gallstone disease, or take blood-thinning medication, be sure to consult with your physician before taking ginger.

For the same reason that rice and toast are commonly recommended for people with stomach flu, Seeni says crackers and pretzels are a good choice because they're made up of simple carbs that are quickly and easily digested, plus they are low in fat and fiber. That means they're less likely to upset your stomach.

If you don't have any crackers around, munch on some dry cereal. Since most cereals are low in fat, free of spices, and made up of easily digestible simple carbs , they're relatively gentle on your stomach. Moreover, some cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals , which may help you to get closer to meeting your daily needs while your gut is recovering. Since dairy products can make diarrhea worse , and some people recovering from viral gastroenteritis have problems digesting lactose for up to a month or more after getting sick, it's advisable to eat cereal either dry or with unsweetened nut or oat milk.

Seeni says sugar can exacerbate or trigger diarrhea, so you may want to check the nutrition label first to make sure the cereal has no more than 10 grams of total sugar and 5 grams of added sugar per serving. Some good options include:. Like rice, oatmeal is another bland food that's typically easy to tolerate when your stomach is upset.

Not only that, but it's a good source of soluble fiber , which can help bind and add bulk to your stool when you're experiencing diarrhea. Fiber loosens the bowels, so it is best to avoid excess fiber. Tomato-based, fatty, and spicy dishes can also worsen diarrhea. Stomach flu can be exhausting. The body needs as much energy as possible to fight off the infection and repair damage; for this reason, it is important to rest, allowing the immune system to work and cells to repair as quickly as possible.

Ginger helps to reduce inflammation and promote digestion by relieving nausea and vomiting. It can also help to give some relief from stomach cramps and bloating. Ginger can be used as a spice in meals. People with stomach flu can also consume ginger by taking ginger capsules, drinking ginger ale, or chewing a piece of ginger.

If you wish to purchase powdered ginger, it is available to buy on amazon. Mint , such as peppermint, can also help to soothe an upset stomach and treat gas and bloating. It is most effective for an upset stomach when used as a tea.

Some individuals report that acupressure can reduce nausea. Measure three finger-widths down from the bottom of the palm; apply pressure with your thumb to the soft part between two tendons.

Massage for a couple of minutes. Chamomile is a plant that can be used as part of a stomach flu remedy. It relaxes the muscles and has anti-inflammatory properties.

This plant may help relieve diarrhea, stomach cramping, bloating, nausea, and gas in some individuals. If young children have symptoms for more than days they should be taken to the doctors. Norovirus is the most common form of the stomach flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , it causes million illnesses, contributes to 56,, hospitalizations, and deaths each year. It is the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.

There are a few simple measures that can reduce the risk of catching stomach flu:. Washing hands frequently and practicing general cleanliness can help prevent the norovirus from spreading. Dehydration is when the body does not have enough water to work properly.