What to Eat and Drink If You Have Viral Gastroenteritis

• Specialists say one of the best ways to deal with viral gastroenteritis — aka the abdomen flu — is to deal with staying hydrated by consuming ice chips, low-sugar fruits, and consuming loads of water.
• As soon as you’re feeling able to eat strong meals, begin with objects which can be easy to digest like toast, crackers, white rice, and steamed potatoes. After that, you possibly can strive including extra complicated carbs and protein from meals like oatmeal and hard-boiled eggs.
• Whenever you’re recovering from the abdomen flu, spicy, high-fat, sugary, acidic meals and drinks, espresso, and alcoholic drinks ought to be averted.
• This text was medically reviewed by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, vitamin and wellness skilled with a personal observe based mostly in New York Metropolis.
• Visit Insider’s Health Reference library for more advice.

Viral gastroenteritis — generally often called the abdomen flu — is an an infection of the intestines that entails irritation of the liner of the abdomen, and may trigger such unpleasant symptoms as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, ache, cramping within the stomach, and generally fever.

You possibly can contract this sickness in several different ways: By having direct contact with one other contaminated particular person, by consuming meals or consuming liquids which can be contaminated, or by touching surfaces or objects which can be contaminated earlier than touching your mouth.

Like different viral infections, the abdomen flu cannot be handled with antibiotics, however most individuals with healthy immune systems will get higher on their very own within one to three days. Specialists say one of the best ways to deal with viral gastroenteritis is to deal with hydration, however it may be troublesome to get sufficient fluids or hold meals down whenever you’re feeling nauseous, experiencing bouts of vomiting, or coping with abdomen ache.

Listed here are some meals and fluids that consultants say are simpler on the abdomen and should assist with nausea which you can eat with the abdomen flu.

What to eat when you’ve got the abdomen flu

Whenever you really feel able to introduce strong meals again into your food regimen, Sashini Seeni, MBBS, a common practitioner at DoctorOnCall, recommends beginning slowly with small parts of easy-to-digest meals.

The BRAT diet

BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) has lengthy been a well-liked technique for managing gastrointestinal signs of the abdomen flu, particularly in kids. Nevertheless, the food regimen lacks many key vitamins like protein, fats, and vitamins A and B12 so it would not provide optimum vitamin in your recovering intestine and shouldn’t be adopted for quite a lot of days, says Sashini Seeni, MBBS, a common practitioner of medication at DoctorOnCall.

“The BRAT food regimen for a restricted time is unlikely to trigger vital unwanted effects, however folks ought to keep away from utilizing the food regimen in the long run,” Seeni tells Insider. “Extended use of the BRAT food regimen could result in malnutrition and low power.”

Ice chips

It is crucial to remain hydrated when you’ve got the abdomen flu. Nevertheless, in case you discover it troublesome to eat sufficient liquids with out feeling nauseous or vomiting, consultants agree that consuming ice chips is a good way to slowly retain your fluids.

First, see in case your abdomen can deal with ice chips with out having an opposed response, says Jay Woody, MD, an emergency medication doctor and chief medical officer of Intuitive Health. Should you’ve been vomiting, Seeni advises ready two hours earlier than making an attempt ice chips — then strive sucking on small quantities at first to see in case you can tolerate them.

Potatoes

In response to Seeni, plain potatoes are a strong meals alternative as a result of they’re simple to digest and loaded with potassium — an electrolyte that may turn out to be depleted throughout the abdomen flu attributable to vomiting and diarrhea. One medium potato with pores and skin gives 632 mg of potassium, which is 24% of the recommended daily value for ladies, and 16% of the advisable every day worth for males.

The very best methodology of cooking your potatoes — or different greens — when you’ve got the abdomen flu is to steam them as a result of it breaks down a few of the hard-to-digest fibers. Additionally, keep away from components like butter and cheese as a result of they include fats that will upset your delicate digestive state. As a substitute, just a little salt and pepper ought to do the trick.

Ginger

Ginger root is thought to have antiemetic properties, which means it could assist to ease nausea and vomiting. Provided that ginger can cause mild abdominal discomfort, heartburn, and fuel in some folks, it is best to begin with a small dose. Should you’re pregnant, have gallstone illness, or take blood-thinning remedy, you’ll want to seek the advice of together with your doctor earlier than taking ginger.

Crackers or pretzels

For a similar cause that rice and toast are generally advisable for folks with abdomen flu, Seeni says crackers and pretzels are a sensible choice as a result of they’re made up of simple carbs which can be rapidly and simply digested, plus they’re low in fats and fiber. Which means they’re much less prone to upset your abdomen.

Dry cereal

Since most cereals are low in fats, freed from spices, and made up of easily digestible simple carbs, they’re comparatively light in your abdomen. Furthermore, some cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, which can show you how to to get nearer to assembly your every day wants whereas your intestine is recovering.

Since dairy products can make diarrhea worse, and a few folks recovering from viral gastroenteritis have issues digesting lactose for as much as a month or extra after getting sick, it is advisable to eat cereal both dry or with unsweetened nut or oat milk.

Seeni says sugar can exacerbate or set off diarrhea, so it’s possible you’ll need to examine the vitamin label first to verify the cereal has not more than 10 grams of whole sugar and 5 grams of added sugar per serving. Some good choices embody:

• Wheaties, 5 grams of sugar per cup
• Authentic Cheerios, 1 gram of sugar per cup
• Corn Chex, 3.2 grams of sugar per cup

Oatmeal

Like rice, oatmeal is one other bland meals that is sometimes simple to tolerate when your abdomen is upset. Not solely that, but it surely’s a good source of soluble fiber, which can assist bind and add bulk to your stool whenever you’re experiencing diarrhea.

In response to The Harvard School of Public Health, the breakdown of oat fiber has been discovered to extend the variety of intestine microbiota, which can enhance diarrhea, amongst different digestive points. To keep away from aggravating any potential GI points, it is best to cook dinner oats in water quite than milk and restrict how a lot sugar you add. Remember the fact that prompt or quick-cook oats can be the easiest to digest — however in case you solely have rolled oats or steel-cut oats, you possibly can break them into smaller items in a meals processor or soak them in a single day.

Fruit

Many fruits include as much as 80–90% water, which implies that consuming them might assist your hydration efforts whereas recovering from the abdomen flu. Fruit additionally incorporates all kinds of vitamins and minerals that may assist to help your immune system, in addition to restore tissues. Nevertheless, it is best to go for fruits which can be low in sugar to keep away from aggravating diarrhea. Some common examples of low-sugar fruits embody grapefruits, blackberries, and apples.

Eggs

One of many most secure high-protein meals to eat when you’ve got the abdomen flu is eggs. To avoid worsening any diarrhea, arduous boil or poach your egg and keep away from including oil, dairy, or spices.

Eggs will not be solely excessive in protein, however additionally they provide important vitamins akin to selenium, a mineral that performs an necessary role in your immune system.

What to drink when you’ve got the abdomen flu

Fluid loss from signs akin to vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration — which, if it turns into extreme, should be treated immediately at a hospital. That is why consultants say it’s important to drink sufficient of the fitting liquids whereas recovering. In response to Seeni, signs of dehydration embody:

• An intense feeling of thirst
• Dry mouth and throat
• Darkish-colored urine
• Much less frequent urination
• Dry pores and skin
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up
• The lack to sweat

Specialists advocate consuming the next liquids when you’ve got the abdomen flu:

Water

Attributable to its lack of taste, sugar, or caffeine, consultants agree that water is by far one of the best liquid to drink whenever you’re recovering from the abdomen flu.

“Clear liquids akin to water are simply digested and assist replenish fluids misplaced attributable to diarrhea and vomiting,” says Seeni. “Wait till two hours have handed since your final episode of vomiting, and begin with small frequent sips.”

Broth

As you are easing again into consuming meals, consultants say broth-based soups can provide a wonderful transition from a liquid food regimen whereas additionally serving to you to remain hydrated.

In response to Seeni, broth could be a good supply of sodium — which is a crucial electrolyte that is usually misplaced on account of frequent vomiting and diarrhea. Nevertheless, Moreno provides that bone, rooster, and beef broth alike may be too excessive in sodium, which is why he recommends particularly looking for out a low-sodium possibility or diluting it with water.

Juice

Whereas some juices could include a notable focus of sure nutritional vitamins, Moreno warns that many merchandise are excessive in sugar, which might make diarrhea worse by pulling extra water into the intestine. That is why he recommends mixing a transparent juice — like apple juice — with water (utilizing a 1:1 ratio) to lower the sugar content material whereas serving to with hydration.

A 2016 study discovered that kids with a abdomen bug who tried this technique have been much less prone to want IV rehydration or hospitalization in comparison with those that consumed electrolyte-enhanced drinks.

Tea

In response to Seeni, natural teas may be efficient for rehydrating throughout abdomen flu. Attempt to keep away from caffeinated teas, which might dehydrate you additional. Should you’re experiencing nausea, she advises consuming tea with ginger or peppermint — each of which can assist to lower that exact symptom.

Electrolyte-enhanced drinks

After experiencing vomiting and diarrhea, Seeni says electrolyte-enhanced drinks like Pedialyte could also be a sensible choice of beverage as a result of it has an optimum stability of sugar and electrolytes.

“Should you or your youngsters are having bother maintaining liquids down, taking small sips of Pedialyte could be a superb begin,” she says. “After that, improve the quantity as a lot as you’re able.”

One other instance is coconut water, which can assist your physique to rehydrate by supplying fluids whereas additionally replenishing necessary minerals you misplaced, says Seeni. “Changing misplaced fluids and electrolytes is the necessary therapy of abdomen flu. Oral rehydration options are sometimes advisable on the first onset of diarrhea and vomiting, particularly for infants and kids,” says Seeni.

Though sports activities drinks assist replenish fluids and electrolytes, some may be excessive in sugar. Therefore, Moreno suggests diluting them with water. Furthermore, the CDC reviews that non-caffeinated sports drinks can assist with gentle dehydration, however they could not change necessary vitamins and minerals.

Breast milk for infants

Since infants can turn out to be dehydrated in a short time, Moreno says it is advisable to proceed supplying them with breast milk whereas they’re recovering from gastroenteritis. Nevertheless, in case you’re ever unsure about what your toddler can tolerate, he recommends calling your pediatrician for particular steering.

“Breast milk for infants could assist in preventing diarrhea,” Seeni tells Insider. “Since vomiting and diarrhea can result in dehydration, they are often very harmful. Breast milk is well digested and extra prone to keep down when your child is sick.”

What meals and drinks to keep away from when you’ve got the abdomen flu

Some meals and drinks could make abdomen flu signs worse. This is what consultants advocate avoiding:

Apple cider vinegar: In response to Moreno and Woody, it is necessary to avoid acidic substances, which might irritate your stomach and thus set off abdomen ache, nausea, or different GI signs. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, so it is best to train warning in consuming it when you have the abdomen flu.

Fatty foods: Full-fat dairy merchandise, fried meals, sure sorts and cuts of pink meat, and nut butters may be excessive in fats — which is not superb when you’ve got the abdomen flu. Since these meals are harder to digest, Moreno advises avoiding them whereas your intestine is recovering.

“Excessive-fat meals might make you’re feeling queasy and should result in diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting,” says Seeni. “Additionally, when sick with the abdomen flu, some folks have points digesting lactose, a protein in milk and milk merchandise.”

Spicy meals: You in all probability will not be within the temper for spicy meals when you’ve got the abdomen flu, however in case you’ve got a hankering, it is best to keep away from as a result of consultants say consuming it may well worsen gastritis symptoms. You possibly can regularly reintroduce spices and seasoning as you start to recuperate.

“Mild spices like cinnamon can have anti-inflammatory properties however sizzling spices might depart you working to the toilet,” says Seeni. “Spicy meals may set off nausea and vomiting for some folks.”

Citrus fruit: Attributable to their high acid content, you would possibly need to restrict your consumption of citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes — relying on the severity of your signs.

Espresso: Since espresso can make your intestines contract, Seeni says to keep away from it. She additionally factors out that caffeinated drinks can impair your sleep high quality, which can hinder your restoration from the abdomen flu.

Alcohol: Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means it causes your physique to flush fluids out of your system extra rapidly. For that reason, Oz recommends staying away from any alcoholic drinks, as they will additional dehydrate you.

Insider’s takeaway

Whenever you’re recovering from the abdomen flu, spicy, high-fat, sugary, and acidic meals and drinks ought to be averted — as ought to espresso and alcoholic drinks.

“Staying away from these meals and drinks will assist cut back nausea and vomiting, in addition to diarrhea, cramping, bloating, and fuel,” says Woody.

A very powerful factor to deal with whereas recovering is hydration — ideally by consuming loads of water, natural tea, and different clear or diluted liquids, sucking on ice chips, and consuming broth.

Bland meals like crackers, toast, dry low-sugar cereal, potatoes, apple sauce, bananas, and rice may be tolerable, and you’ll slowly introduce meals like fruit, steamed greens, and eggs for extra dietary selection.

Should you suspect you want therapy for dehydration or different extreme signs, search instant care from medical professionals.