Gastric flu what can i eat

Try drinking clear soda or broths, or noncaffeinated sports drinks in small, but frequent, amounts to stay hydrated. Ease back into eating. Gradually incorporate bland, easy-to-digest foods into your system, but be sure to back off if your nausea returns.

Foods to eat include clear broths, crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Avoid certain foods until you feel better. These foods include dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, processed foods, and fatty, spicy or highly seasoned foods.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version.

This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your doctor will likely diagnose gastroenteritis based on symptoms, a physical exam and sometimes on the presence of similar cases in your community.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Alexandraki, I. Acute viral gastroenteritis in adults. Accessed Aug. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dehydration, along with the illness itself, can cause fatigue. A person with stomach flu should get plenty of rest. Adults can take over-the-counter OTC medications to treat diarrhea, which is a symptom of stomach flu.

These medications can include loperamide Imodium and bismuth subsalicylate Pepto-Bismol. Learn more about nausea medications here. Caring for a child with stomach flu can be worrying for parents and caregivers. Children should have a slightly different treatment plan than adults.

Children should eat similar bland foods when they are ready for them. Parents and caregivers should avoid forcing food and take cues from the child based on how they are feeling. However, some doctors suggest that giving a child diluted juice can have equal if not more positive results in terms of treating stomach flu. A person should always contact a doctor before giving children OTC medication, as some medications can be unsafe for children or infants.

A person often does not need to see a doctor for stomach flu, as it is self-limiting and will typically go away within a few days. The main concern is dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. According to the National Cancer Institute , a person should watch for symptoms of dehydration, such as:. A person needs emergency medical care if they experience more severe symptoms of dehydration, such as:. When ready for food, a person should eat bland foods such as bread, bananas, applesauce, and cooked starches.

They should avoid fatty foods, spicy foods, alcohol, and sugary beverages. A person should contact a doctor if they experience symptoms such as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or rapid breathing. For people experiencing symptoms of a digestive condition, adopting a bland diet may help. Bland diets limit fiber, fat, and spice.

Learn more here. A hour stomach bug, or stomach flu, is a contagious virus that causes vomiting. Learn about the causes, treatments, and how to prevent it.

Clear liquids are mainly composed of water and carbs, making them easy to digest. Some options are:. Plus, avoid giving them to infants and young children without professional guidance, as they may worsen diarrhea 5 , 6 , 7.

Electrolytes are a group of electrically-charged minerals that aid critical bodily functions, such as blood pressure regulation and muscle contraction 8 , 9. Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is the cornerstone of stomach flu treatment At the first onset of diarrhea and vomiting, health professionals often recommend oral rehydration solutions, especially for infants and children.

These contain water, sugar, and electrolytes in specific proportions that are easy to digest 11 , 12 , Sports drinks are another option to help replenish fluids and electrolytes but are typically higher in sugar. Researchers suggest that they may be just as effective as oral rehydration solutions at treating dehydration in adults Electrolyte beverages provide fluids and replenish important minerals lost during the stomach flu. Peppermint tea may help relieve stomach flu symptoms. In fact, just the smell of peppermint may reduce nausea Other studies suggest that smelling peppermint oil may help decrease episodes of diarrhea in those with irritable bowel syndrome IBS While studies on the benefits of peppermint tea for stomach flu specifically are lacking, there is little to lose by trying it.

Several studies suggest that smelling peppermint may alleviate nausea, though more research is needed on peppermint and the stomach flu specifically. Ginger is commonly used to alleviate nausea, a primary symptom of the stomach flu Though research on ginger for nausea during the stomach flu specifically is lacking, several studies have found that ginger helped reduce nausea due to pregnancy, cancer treatment, and motion sickness 19 , 20 , Ginger is available fresh, as a spice, or as an ingredient in teas, ginger ale, and candies.

Meanwhile, concentrated amounts of this spice can be found in syrups, capsules, and tinctures However, it may be best to avoid concentrated sources, as ginger may cause diarrhea when taken in high doses Instead, try freshly grating ginger root into a soup or brewing it in tea to potentially relieve nausea during the stomach flu.

Many studies support using ginger to reduce nausea, but more research is needed on using this herb to reduce nausea during the stomach flu specifically. When experiencing diarrhea, the American College of Gastroenterology recommends broth and broth-based soups as a first choice when transitioning back to eating Broth-based soups have a very high water content, which can help with hydration during a bout of stomach flu.

During the stomach flu, broth-based soups are an ideal transition to solid foods, as they provide plenty of fluids and electrolytes. Bananas , rice, applesauce, and toast are the foundation of the BRAT diet. Keep in mind that the BRAT diet alone will not provide your body with all the nutrients it needs. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children return to their usual age-appropriate diets as soon as they are rehydrated 26 , Nonetheless, bananas, rice , applesauce, and toast are safe options to start with when queasy from the stomach flu.