What To Eat For Stomach Flu

When you have viral gastroenteritis, which is commonly known as a stomach virus or the stomach flu, you have an illness in which a virus attacks your gastrointestinal tract. Since the two most prominent symptoms of gastroenteritis are vomiting and diarrhea, the first question most people ask their doctor is what should they eat when they have stomach flu.

Depending on the severity of your case, it may be hard to keep any food down at all, and there might not be much you can digest successfully. But some foods work better than others. Foods that are easy for your system to process have the best chance of staying with you. These include applesauce, bananas, eggs, gelatin, soda crackers and toast. For the most part, make sure you stay away from foods that are acidic, spicy or greasy. Also avoid vegetables that contain a lot of fiber. Course grains and meats should be avoided too, as should dairy products.

When you have stomach flu, it's very important to get liquids into your system. Vomiting and diarrhea reduce your fluid levels, and if proper fluids aren't maintained, you could suffer dehydration. Dehydration is particularly dangerous for the very young and the very old. Acute dehydration can be life threatening. So be sure to drink small amounts of clear liquids regularly. Water is best, but other clear liquids are acceptable. Weak tea and apple juice are also possibilities. Soft drinks are okay as long as you let the drink go flat. Avoid acidic drinks like orange juice, and drinks containing caffeine such as coffee. Avoid milk while you have diarrhea. Cool fluids seem to be easier to keep down than warm ones.

Stick with small, frequent sips of fluids. Staying hydrated is important, but drinking too fast or too much may just cause more vomiting.

Talk to your doctor before you take aspirin, ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. Remember, antibiotics have no effect on a virus, so don't take antibiotics unless your doctor tells you to do so. There are a variety of non-prescription anti-diarrhea medications available at pharmacies and supermarkets that may help. Take only the recommended dosage.

When your symptoms have subsided, you can carefully resume your regular diet.

Stomach flu is something that generally runs its course in a few days, although certain viruses can keep you sick for a week or so. Time and rest are your best cures. But eating the foods for stomach flu mentioned above will probably help you get through it with the least possible discomfort.