After A Stomach Virus What Should I Eat: ― Curing stomach virus is not difficult provided that you know what to eat and what not to eat. One of the most important thing after breaking up with stomach flu is to drink lots of fluids and eating food rich in nutrition like fruits and vegetables. While recovering from a stomach virus, you might crave your usual fare. But if you eat the same foods that caused the sickness, then your symptoms will continue. Here are some tips to help you differentiate between which food is best for your illness.
There are all kinds of stomach bugs–food poisoning, viral, bacterial and parasitic. All can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms lasting from a few hours to a few weeks. The good news is that most of these stomach bugs are self-limited in their course and will simply resolve on their own without treatment. However, there are some steps you can take at home to ease discomfort associated with a “stomach bug.” Here are the best foods to eat when you have a stomach ‘bug’
Acute stomach viruses are typically caused by norovirus or rotavirus. They usually last for 1 to 3 days and most people recover without medical care, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Most people recover within 24 to 48 hours, however, some individuals may develop complications that warrant a trip to the emergency room. Below you will learn what to eat when you have a stomach virus.
After A Stomach Virus What Should I Eat
A stomach virus can cause major discomfort and can take away your appetite making it difficult to know what to eat. Having had a stomach virus the last few days, I now have the daunting task of knowing what to eat. I mean food is good, but some foods are better than others. Which means this after a stomach virus what should i eat list should help you get your bearings after stomach virus and help you figure out what to eat.
An upset stomach or diarrhea can leave you feeling miserable. If left untreated, it can lead to exhaustion and dehydration, so it’s important to make sure your body stays nourished. But it can be hard to determine what to eat after throwing up or having diarrhea. A special diet known as the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast) is an effective way to treat both.
Path to improved health
The BRAT diet is a bland food diet recommended for adults and children. The benefits of using the BRAT diet to treat upset stomach and diarrhea include:
- The foods used in the diet make your stools firmer. That’s because the foods are considered “binding” foods. They’re low-fiber, bland, starchy foods.
- The foods help replace nutrients your body needs and has lost due to vomiting and diarrhea. Bananas, for example, are high in the vitamin potassium.
Bland foods don’t irritate your stomach. After you have diarrhea or vomiting, follow the BRAT diet to help your body ease back into normal eating. This diet also may help ease the nausea and vomiting some women experience during pregnancy.
You can add other bland foods to the BRAT diet. For example, you can try saltine crackers, plain potatoes, or clear soup broths. Don’t start eating dairy products, sugary, or fatty foods right away. These foods may trigger nausea or lead to more diarrhea.
What to Eat When You Have a Stomach Virus
You’re feeling a little under the weather, but unlike a lot of other viruses out there yours is not going away. This is common when you have a stomach virus since they stick around for days to weeks.
After being sick for several hours or days you start to realize you’re starving but don’t have much of an appetite. That is because your stomach doesn’t want to eat food, and rightfully so! But if you’re able to fight through the pain and discomfort, you might be able to beat it by eating healthy foods and replenishing lost nutrients. find out what to eat when you have a stomach virus.
Shaking off a stomach virus and ready to re-enter the world? These are the best foods to eat after a stomach bug to restore your energy.
What to Eat with a Stomach Virus
You’ve likely been there: A nasty case of the stomach flu or a random bout of food poisoning hit you, and you feel weak and shaky…but finally ready to eat something. Here, registered dietitians share their tips for rehydrating and what foods to eat after a stomach bug so you can start feeling like a functional human again.
But before you explore what to eat after the stomach flu, you might want to take notes on what to avoid when battling a stomach bug, so you don’t exacerbate the pain. For starters, steer clear of caffeine, as it can irritate the stomach and may make certain symptoms (e.g. diarrhea) worse, advises Sheri Kasper, R.DN., a registered dietician and co-founder of Fresh Communications. “It’s also important to avoid alcohol because the goal right after the stomach flu is to replace fluids and alcohol is a diuretic, which causes fluid loss,” she adds. “Highly acidic (tomatoes, for example) or spicy foods can also trigger nausea or stomach pain, so they should be approached with caution.”
Something Bland
If you’re struggling to figure out what foods to eat after a stomach virus, many health experts recommend the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) at first. The key is to start with bland foods after the stomach flu. Once your symptoms are resolved, slowly bring back other foods you love, says Katie Pfeffer-Scanlan, R.D., registered dietician and founder of One Hungry Bunny.
“These early forays back into solid food territory are also when you want to start incorporating more fluids to rebalance electrolytes and ease digestion gently, adds Jessica Spiro, R.D., a registered dietician based in California. “The worst thing that generally happens after the stomach flu or food poisoning is dehydration, so replenishing fluids is incredibly important. Soups, smoothies, and water-rich fruits and veggies (think cucumbers and watermelon) are excellent ways to rehydrate.”
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a great alternative to sugary sports drinks during and after the stomach flu, according to Thérèse Bonanni, R.D., a registered dietician at the Navesink Wellness Center in New Jersey. Loaded with potassium and a good source of other key nutrients such as sodium, magnesium, and phosphorous, it’s her go-to sip for “a natural source of electrolytes without added sugar to replenish and hydrate.”
Pedialyte
Nope, this brightly colored drink isn’t just for kids. Many doctors and dietitians recommend Pedialyte to prevent or treat dehydration in adults too, and it can be especially helpful when you’re looking for something to drink after the stomach flu.
“I usually recommend Pedialyte to help clients replenish their electrolytes since it’s easy on the stomach, especially the unflavored version,” says Angie Asche, R.D., registered dietician and founder of Eleat Sports Nutrition. Find it online or at your local drugstore either as a solution or as powder packets you can add to water. (
Yogurt
Once you’re feeling up to it, “try kefir and yogurt to replenish beneficial gut bacteria after GI distress,” recommends Bonanni. This is one of the best foods to eat after a stomach virus because it introduces more protein, which will help stabilize your blood sugar to stave off energy-sucking crashes — and help you feel stronger, adds Asche. Avoiding lactose? Try a non-dairy yogurt that packs plenty of protein alongside beneficial bacteria, too. In gernal, plain is your best option, but even the fruit flavors are lower in sugar and don’t have any artificial sweeteners—two sneaky irritants you’ll want to avoid when planning what to eat with a stomach virus or belly bug.
Fermented Foods
Once you can tolerate liquids and bland foods, try eating probiotic-rich foods at least once a day, says Gabriella Vetere, R.D.N., registered dietician and creator of Macrobalanced. Aside from yogurt and kefir, you can also try sauerkraut, kimchee, or miso. There’s also kombucha, a fermented tea beverage, a favorite of Edwina Clark, R.D., a registered dietician based in San Francisco. Her pick? Ginger kombucha “to restore gut bacteria, ease nausea, and replace fluids.”
Not into the whole fermented thing? Try a probiotic supplement — just be sure to chat with your doc before adding anything to your routine, as supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Since each specific type of bacteria does something slightly different, look for a supplement with multiple types in it to help repopulate the GI tract.
Smoothies
If you’re not ready for a full meal, can’t stand the thought of yogurt, or have lactose intolerance (a temporary issue of a GI bug), try a dairy-free smoothie, says Charlene Pors, R.D.N., registered dietician at Euphoria Nutrition.
“Smoothies made with soy milk, fruit, and nut butter can be a great high-protein and nutritious meal to begin with since they’re low in fiber and lactose, making them easy to digest,” says Pors.
Best Foods to Eat When You Have a Stomach ‘Bug’
A stomach bug is something that makes you feel quite ill. Many people get them each year and they are usually caused by germs. Whilst you may be tempted to simply take an anti-biotic pill to treat this, eating a healthy diet will help to rebalance your immune system and prevent these symptoms recurring in the future. Here are the 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 it’s 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 don’t always know what’s going to agree with your stomach.
I recommend these tips for fueling your body when you have viral gastroenteritis:
- Let your stomach settle.
Avoid solid foods for a few hours, and stick with liquids. - Hydrate.
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. - Be cautious with medications.
It’s best to use medications, such as ibuprofen, with food and sparingly, if at all, as they can cause an upset stomach. As always, discuss your medications with your health care provider to avoid any potential side effects.
The main complication of a stomach bug is dehydration ― a severe loss of water, and essential salts and minerals. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem.
How to Kill a Virus Using Fruits
Flu season is coming and this year’s vaccine may or may not be a good match. So let’s fuel our body for the fight. After all, vaccines only show our body what the flu virus will look like. It’s up to our body to actually fight and kill the virus. There’s a lot more you can do at home than just wash your hands. You can eat with a purpose to prime your body to build the arsenal it needs to keep you healthy this flu season.
1) Oysters, beef, pork chop, black eyed peas, pumpkin seeds- all of these foods are high in the mineral Zinc which helps to keep viruses from attaching to cells and helps prevent them from replicating. Zinc levels in your body may take time to build up, so start eating or supplementing early. Zinc gluconate lozenges have been shown to have the most antiviral power when taken at the onset of a cold. Too much zinc can be toxic, so consult a dietician for dosage.
2) Sweet potatoes, winter squash, dark green veggies, and carrots- these foods have a ton of vitamin A which in combination with Zinc can be a flu killer. Vitamin A is an integral part of “Natural Killer” cells and other immune chemicals which are part of the response to fighting an infection.
3) Green and White tea contain catechins which have anti-viral properties as well as antioxidants which protect your cells from damage. Can help reduce the replication of viruses as well. So trade in your morning coffee this fall and winter for some tea.
4) Yogurt (plain non-fat yogurt)- this contains friendly bacteria which boost the immune system. 70% of the immune system is in your intestines, so be kind to it and it will be kind to you.
5) Apples, onions, broccoli, and tomatoes- these are all high in a product called quercetin which when given to cyclists had shown to reduce the susceptibility to getting the flu in an Appalachian State Univ. study. It is in a group of chemicals called flavonoids that have numerous other health effects.
6) Cabbage- contains glutamine, an immune boosting amino acid/antioxidant (also in watermelon)
7) Chili/Red/Red peppers, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Strawberries, and Citrus Fruits- all have large amounts of Vitamin C which is also an immune boosting vitamin. Studies have shown this vitamin enhances “Natural Killer” cell activity, white blood cell growth, and flooding of immune cells to viral infected area.
8) Mushrooms- these help to increase your body’s resistance to viral infections by boosting “Natural Killer Cells” and are also high in selenium and vitamin D which help fuel your immune system.
9) Almonds- these as well as other nuts/seeds are a good source of protein and Vitamin E which can help ward off viral infections.
10) Chicken Soup- contains a product called carnosine which can help fight off the Flu virus in its early stages as well as act as a mild anti-inflammatory
11) Wild Caught Salmon- being high in protein, vitamin D, and good fats makes this food a warrior against the Flu. Farm raised has less nutrients but is still a good source.
A well-nourished immune system can help reduce your risk of the flu. All of the nutrients in the foods mentioned help your body build a virus killing tank that is ready for the hunt. So make a shopping list, grab some food, stock the pantry, and get eating! Soon you may be one of the lucky ones that gets to say, “I didn’t get sick this year”.
Importance of Eating Healthy Food
Much has been written about the importance of eating healthy, and how it will lead to weight loss and a longer lifespan. The health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables are well documented, but what about those other so-called “nutrient-dense” foods like nuts, whole grains, beans and legumes? Eating whole grains, for example, is associated with lower rates of heart disease.
1. Loaded with important nutrients
Unprocessed animal and plant foods can help provide vitamins and minerals you need for optimal health.
For instance, 1 cup (149 grams) of red bell peppers, kiwi (180mg) or orange slices (165 grams) contains more than 100% of the RDI for vitamin C.
Eggs and liver are especially high in choline, a nutrient essential for proper brain function.
And a single Brazil nut provides all the selenium you need for an entire day.
In fact, most whole foods are good sources of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients.
2. Low in sugar
Some research suggests that eating sugary foods can increase your risk for obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and heart disease
Generally speaking, real foods tend to be lower in added sugar than many processed foods.
Even though fruit contains sugar, it’s also high in water and fiber, making it much healthier option than having soda and processed foods.
3. Heart healthy
Real food is packed with antioxidants and nutrients that support heart health, including magnesium and healthy fats.
Eating a diet rich in nutritious, unprocessed foods may also help reduce inflammation, which is considered one of the major drivers of heart disease.
4. Better for the environment
The world population is steadily growing, and with this growth comes increased demand for food.
However, producing food for billions of people can take a toll on the environment.
This is partly due to the destruction of rainforests for agricultural land, increased fuel needs, pesticide use, greenhouse gases, and packaging that ends up in landfills.
Developing sustainable agriculture based on real food may help improve the health of the planet by reducing energy needs and decreasing the amount of nonbiodegradable waste that humans produce.
5. High in fiber
Fiber provides many health benefits, including boosting digestive function, metabolic health, and feelings of fullness.
Foods like avocados, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and blackberries are particularly high in healthy fiber, alongside beans and legumes.
Consuming fiber through whole foods is better than taking a supplement as it keeps you feeling fuller longer, and you also get the added nutrients from the fruit or vegetable.
6. Helps manage blood sugar
According to the International Diabetes Federation, more than 450 million people live with diabetes worldwide.
That number is expected to rise to 700 million by 2045.
Eating a diet high in fibrous plants and unprocessed animal foods may help reduce blood sugar levels in people who have or are at risk for diabetes.
In one 12-week study, people with diabetes or prediabetes followed a paleolithic diet combining fresh meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and nuts. They experienced a 26% reduction in blood sugar levels.