Stomach upset can cause nausea and vomiting. These symptoms might be due to various conditions such as food reactions, viruses or side effects of certain medications. If an adult or child experiences stomach upset, it is important to select foods or beverages carefully to avoid aggravating the discomfort and trigger an episode of vomiting.
What are the foods to avoid during a stomach upset?
Aside from milk, an individual with a stomach upset must avoid other types of foods and beverages such as the following:
- Yogurt
- Ice cream
If the individual does not ends up with vomiting after drinking clear fluids, you can provide plain foods such as rice, crackers, apples and bananas. On the other hand, if these cause vomiting, start with clear fluids again. - Cheese
- Fried and fatty foods
- Spicy foods
Dishes that have fragrant, strong herbs can also aggravate nausea. In addition, foods and beverages that contain caffeine must be avoided as well.
Treatment options
The management for stomach upset tends to vary depending on the exact cause. If the individual has a virus or motion sickness, he/she must allow the discomfort to ease on its own. In addition, plain crackers can help with the queasiness due to morning sickness during pregnancy.
In cases where a virus is the cause, the individual can be given clear fluids such as water or diluted apple juice to drink instead of milk. After some time, he/she can gradually move on to clear broths and gelatin. If the individual does not ends up with vomiting after drinking clear fluids, you can provide plain foods such as rice, crackers, apples and bananas. On the other hand, if these cause vomiting, start with clear fluids again.
If the individual has a health condition that triggers nausea, the doctor might prescribe a suitable medication that can help ease the symptoms.
Breastfed infants
An infant who is currently being breastfed with stomach upset can benefit from the mother’s milk. The mother should let the infant nurse for a short time and then have him/her stop to avoid overeating. If the child vomits or shows any indications of a health condition, a doctor should be consulted.
Important considerations
A doctor should be consulted if the individual experiences vomiting that last more than 24 hours or accompanied by stomach pain, high fever or indications of dehydration such as dry mouth, low urine output and extreme thirst. If the stomach upset might be linked to poisoning, seek immediate medical attention by bringing the individual to the nearest hospital or get in touch with the poison control center.