If you’ve ever had a stomach flu, you don’t want a second bout of it. Knowing what to eat and drink when you’re down with the stomach flu helps you heal faster and avoids prolonging those miserable symptoms.
Our board-certified internal medicine physician, Samuel I. Fink, MD, provides comprehensive primary care to help you manage chronic conditions and recover quickly when you’re sick.
Stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, isn’t an influenza virus that causes high fevers, respiratory symptoms, and joint pain. Instead, it’s usually the result of a norovirus or rotavirus. Hallmark symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps; you may also have a fever. Thankfully, it usually lasts only one to three days.
Stomach flu is very contagious. It spreads through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or from contact with people.
If you’re sick with the stomach flu, Dr. Fink provides the following tips on what to eat and drink to help you heal faster.
When stomach flu hits, you likely aren’t interested in eating much, but what you choose to eat matters. Some foods can make diarrhea much worse.
Eat bland, easy-to-digest foods that won’t irritate your stomach, such as:
Once you begin to feel better, you can add scrambled eggs and other lean protein like chicken or turkey without the skin.
Two hallmarks of stomach flu are diarrhea and nausea that may lead to vomiting. Both can dehydrate you quickly. It’s important to stay hydrated when you have stomach flu.
Sip beverages throughout the day, including water, electrolyte drinks (sports drinks or Pedialyte), ginger or peppermint tea to relieve nausea, and clear broths.
If drinking liquids is difficult, suck on ice chips or ice pops to slowly replenish fluids without overwhelming your stomach.
You may love milk, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products, but they don’t love you back when you have stomach flu. Dairy and other foods and beverages can worsen your symptoms.
While you’re recovering, avoid:
It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to eating and drinking with the stomach flu.
Most cases of the stomach flu resolve on their own with proper hydration and rest. But if you experience any of the following symptoms, call our office right away; you need prompt medical attention.
When your symptoms are severe or don’t get better, it’s time to call our office. Dr. Fink examines you and provides a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan.
Call our Tarzana, California, office today or request an appointment here for your health care needs.
