5 Reasons Your Doctor Suggests a Holter Monitor
Not all heart concerns show up during a quick in-office EKG. A Holter monitor records your heartbeat for 24 to 48 hours, revealing important details about your heart’s health.
What To Eat, Drink, and Avoid When You Have the Stomach Flu
When you’re stuck in the bathroom with the stomach flu, the very thought of food can make you queasy. But vomiting and diarrhea take a toll on your body, leaving you weak and dehydrated.
While there’s no quick cure for your infection, eating and drinking the right things can make a huge difference in how you feel. However, the wrong foods can exacerbate your symptoms.
At Internal Medicine of Greater New Haven, our experienced internal medicine physicians share what to eat, drink, and avoid when you’re battling the stomach flu.
Eating with the stomach flu
Your digestive system is particularly sensitive when you have the stomach flu, and certain foods can exacerbate discomfort. That doesn't mean you have to skip eating altogether, but you do need to choose wisely.
Stick to easy-to-digest, bland foods such as:
- White rice
- Dry toast
- Saltine crackers
- Unsweetened applesauce
- Bananas
- Boiled potatoes
- Plain noodles
- Unseasoned chicken
Keep meals light and simple, and eat what you can tolerate. As your stomach starts to settle, slowly reintroduce other foods, such as soft-cooked vegetables and lean proteins like white fish.
Drinking with the stomach flu
Hydration is essential when recovering from the stomach flu, as it helps replace fluid loss caused by vomiting and diarrhea. Like food, keep your fluids plain and straightforward, such as:
- Water
- Electrolyte drinks
- Ginger or peppermint tea
- Clear broths
- Gelatin
- Ginger ale
If you’re having a hard time keeping liquids down, try sucking on ice chips or fruit ice to help prevent dehydration.
What not to eat and drink
As mentioned above, your stomach is more sensitive when you have a gastrointestinal infection, making it harder to digest certain foods.
When you have the stomach flu, it’s best to avoid foods such as:
- Dairy products
- Alcohol
- Fried foods
- Spicy food
- Sugar-sweetened beverages
- Coffee and other caffeinated beverages
- Chocolate
These foods may further irritate the stomach and worsen your nausea, diarrhea, or stomach cramps.
When in doubt, avoid it. It’s best to stick with easy-to-digest foods rather than trying to see what happens.
When to go to the doctor for the stomach flu
Most cases of stomach flu resolve within a few days. However, we recommend visiting First Response Urgent Care if your symptoms persist for more than two days (diarrhea, vomiting, or fever) or if you are unable to keep anything down.
The primary concern with the stomach flu is dehydration. Ongoing symptoms or inability to consume any liquids can lead to problems quickly, especially for children and older adults.
If you have concerns about digestive issues, we're here to help. Call today or use the online tool to set up your appointment.
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