Eating Smart With Stomach Flu

When you have viral gastroenteritis, which is also called a stomach virus or stomach flu, you have an sickness in which a virus attacks your gastrointestinal tract. The two most prominent indications of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea, so the primary question most people ask their health care provider is, what do you eat when they have stomach flu.

Depending on the severity of your sickness it probably won’t be easy to keep any food down. But foods that are easy for the system to process have the best chance of staying with you. These include applesauce, bananas, eggs, gelatin, soda crackers and toast. Broadly speaking, you should avoid foods that are acidic, spicy or oily. Also avoid vegetables that are high in fiber. You should also leave course cereals, dairy products and meat off your plate.

If you have gastroenteritis, it is very important to get fluids in your system. Vomiting and diarrhea take a lot of fluids out of your body, and if sufficient fluid levels are not maintained, there is a danger of dehydration. Dehydration can be very damaging for very young children and seniors. Water would be best, but some other clear liquids are acceptable. Weak tea and apple juice are among the other possibilities. Stay away from drinks that have caffeine such as coffee and certain soft drinks. Non-caffeinated soft drinks are allowable but make sure they stop fizzing before you drink them. Orange juice and other acidic beverages should be avoided. Avoid milk when you have diarrhea. Chilled fluids seem easier for your system to handle than hot ones.

When you’re drinking liquids, it’s best to take small but frequent sips. Keeping up your fluid levels is important, but when you drink too fast or too much, you risk more vomiting.

Call your health care professional before taking aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Don’t forget that antibiotics don’t work on a virus, so don’t take them unless your doctor says you should. There are a variety of non-prescription anti-diarrhea medicines for sale at pharmacies and supermarkets. Make sure you never take more than the recommended dose.

When the symptoms have subsided, you can start eating normally again.

Gastroenteritis is a condition that usually runs its course in a day or two, although certain forms of viruses can keep you under the weather for about a week. Time and rest are the best cures for a stomach virus. But eating the right food for stomach flu mentioned above will definitely help you through it with minimal possible interruption in your routine.

For more information on foods for stomach flu, click on best foods for stomach flu and what to do about stomach trouble.