This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Thompson, a board-certified pediatrician with a focus on family health. Dr. Thompson leads a thriving pediatric practice and is a respected member of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
When stomach flu strikes a member of your family, it can quickly turn your household upside down. Whether you’re feeling unwell yourself or you’re the one caring for those affected, the discomfort from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can be overwhelming. Unlike other illnesses, the stomach flu often leaves you longing for relief and struggling to eat anything at all.
Given the unpleasant symptoms, getting someone to eat can be a challenge, and if they do manage to eat, keeping food down is often another issue entirely. However, completely avoiding food isn’t a safe option for long. As a parent or caregiver, it’s crucial to know what foods are appropriate for someone battling the stomach flu. Here’s a guide on what to consume during this time.
Understanding Stomach Flu
The term “stomach flu” is commonly used to describe gastrointestinal distress, but it specifically refers to viral gastroenteritis, an infection of the intestines. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms can include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes fever, typically lasting one to two days. However, in more severe cases, symptoms may persist for as long as ten days.
The stomach flu usually spreads through contact with infected individuals or by consuming contaminated food or water. If an adult or older child cannot retain liquids for 24 hours, vomits blood, or experiences prolonged vomiting, it’s essential to seek medical advice. With infants, frequent spitting up can be normal, but persistent vomiting may warrant a doctor’s visit.
Foods to Avoid During Stomach Flu
Before diving into what to eat, let’s look at what to steer clear of. The following foods and beverages are best avoided:
- Caffeinated drinks, including coffee, tea, and certain sodas
- High-fat foods such as fried items, pizza, and fast food
- Sugary beverages and some fruit juices
- Dairy products containing lactose
- Alcohol
- Tomato-based dishes
- Acidic foods and drinks
- Spicy or heavily seasoned foods
- Processed foods
Foods to Consider When You Have the Stomach Flu
If you’ve been raised in a household where eating was mandatory, you might think you should keep eating despite feeling ill. However, this approach doesn’t apply when dealing with the stomach flu. Experts advise against forcing yourself to eat if you aren’t up for it. Instead, focus on rest and hydration.
When you or someone else starts feeling ready to eat again, returning to a regular diet is often fine. For a gentler approach, consider starting with these foods:
- Hydrating liquids like water, sports drinks, or decaffeinated sodas
- Plain broths
- Oral rehydration solutions (like Pedialyte or similar) with electrolytes, especially for children
- Ice chips
- Crackers (like saltines)
- Toast
- Plain chicken and rice
- Gelatin
- Bananas
- Complex carbohydrates such as potatoes and whole grains
If nausea or vomiting resumes, it’s best to pause solid food intake and focus on hydration.
If you’re interested in more helpful information related to parenting and health, check out this related blog post.
Summary
The stomach flu can be a challenging experience for anyone in the household. Knowing what to eat and what to avoid is crucial for recovery. Focus on hydration and gradually reintroducing bland foods to ease back into a regular diet. If symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. For more on fertility and home insemination, consider visiting Make a Mom for authoritative resources, or explore this excellent guide on the IVF process here.
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