A stomach illness, such as food poisoning, can be quite debilitating. Your body requires time to heal, even after the nausea and diarrhea have subsided. Moreover, the healing process may take longer than the illness itself. We'll go over what to anticipate during your recuperation from food poisoning as well as what meals and beverages will support your recovery.


What To Expect When Recovering From Food Poisoning?

Although food poisoning usually strikes rapidly, recovery happens more gradually. Usually, food sickness passes within a few days. Usually, the nausea and vomiting subside first. However, you could discover that things are not exactly as they used to be when you try to eat and drink again.

You may experience some sluggish digestion throughout the healing process, which can extend up to a week. You might encounter:


All of this may severely impair your appetite and make it difficult for you to consume the food and liquids your body requires to heal. It's a balance to start eating and drinking again, doing things slowly and giving your body what it needs. That's why it's beneficial to know what foods and beverages will be easy on your digestive system while you heal.

 

What Should You Drink When Recovering From Food Poisoning?

Vomiting and Diarrhoea from food poisoning cause your body to lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes. It's crucial to rehydrate even if your symptoms disappear after a day or two.

Although it lacks the salts required to restore your electrolytes and complete healing, water can still be helpful. Better ways to stay hydrated are as follows:

 

Oral Rehydration Solutions:

Drinks with specific formulations, such as Pediatlyte or Oralyte, have the ideal ratio of sugar and salt to assist with hydration. Sports drinks can serve as an alternative, however they frequently include less salt and more sugar than is necessary. Any persistent diarrhea and bloating may get worse due to this extra sugar.

 

Broth:

If you're still feeling a little queasy, savory broths can help you feel better. Their salt concentration makes them excellent beverages for hydration as well.

 

Juice That Has Been Watered Down:

If juice is the only beverage that sounds good, stick to clear juices like cranberry or apple. Avert pulpy juices as they may be more difficult to digest. To reduce the amount of sugar in these beverages, it's also a good idea to add water. Sugary drinks, such sports drinks, might exacerbate diarrhea.

 

Drinks To Avoid While Recovering From Food Poisoning

When recovering from food sickness, there are certain liquids that are better to stay away from completely. The following beverages may make diarrhea, bloating, and indigestion worse:

 

Drinks With Caffeine:

Some people believe that coffee makes them queasy. Additionally, there is evidence that coffee consumption may increase bowel movements and discomfort. Therefore, coffee may make any remaining pain or diarrhea worse.

 

Alcohol:

To help your body heal from food poisoning, stay away from alcohol for a week following the incident. Alcohol consumption has been linked to both diarrhea and heartburn.

 

Diet Beverages:

These beverages' artificial sweeteners may be difficult for the body to process. After a food poisoning episode, your stomach and gut may be more sensitive to them, even if you're not ordinarily troubled by them.

 

What Should You Eat During And After Food Poisoning?

Your digestive system suffers when you get food poisoning. For some people, the mere notion of chewing food might induce nausea. Certain foods are simpler to eat during and after food illness and can aid in your body's recovery.

To combat food poisoning, consider consuming:

 

Soups made with broth:

Warm chicken soup or broth can help settle an upset stomach, and the salt in them can aid in the replenishment of body fluids. Furthermore, the noodles or veggies in chicken soup are typically simple to digest. Additionally anti-inflammatory, chicken soup may aid in your recovery.

 

Chewing solid meals might be uncomfortable:

Popsicles or Jell-O can offer some nutrition and hydration instead.

 

Saltine crackers:

These are simple to digest, tasteless snacks that supply electrolytes in the form of salt.

 

The BRAT diet:

Bananas, rice, apples, and toast—is said to help with unsettled stomachs. However, some people believe that the BRAT diet is very restricted and can result in inadequate dietary intake. When you feel ready, pay attention to your body and work toward a balanced diet. are simple to stomach and tasteless.

It can be challenging to return to a regular eating schedule even after food poisoning. Easiest to move back into a regular eating schedule with foods that are easy to digest. Carbs are often easier to digest than protein and fat. Additionally, sticking to bland foods may be beneficial.

These foods might be a little simpler for your stomach to digest after food poisoning:

  • Pastas
  • Crackers and breads
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Rice
  • Cereals
  • Oats

Begin with modest meals and increase gradually from there. Large servings may also make you feel queasy or sick to your stomach. As your digestive system heals, you may need to consume smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. When you gradually resume regular meals, pay attention to your body. Step aside if you feel uncomfortable, then try again when things calm down.

 

View More: 5 Home Remedies For Food Poisoning


Foods To Avoid When Recovering From Food Poisoning

Certain meals could irritate you or be more difficult to digest. Items to stay away from include:

 

Spicy foods:

Spicy foods can exacerbate symptoms like heartburn and may even aggravate your irritable gut. Additionally, strong-tasting meals may exacerbate nausea.

 

Foods high in fat:

Processing fat takes longer than processing carbs. Eat less high-fat food, then. Additionally, while you're healing, it's better to avoid using butter or other oils on toast, pasta, or potatoes.

 

Foods strong in protein:

Although they digest more quickly than fats, foods high in protein are still more difficult to digest than carbs.

 

High-fiber foods:

Although fiber is typically beneficial to gut health, it can exacerbate symptoms of food poisoning and be difficult to digest afterward. Foods high in fiber can occasionally result in cramps, bloating, and gas.

 

Acidic foods:

Pickles, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and other meals high in acid might exacerbate sensations similar to heartburn, particularly while you're healing from food illness.

 

Dairy:

To prevent upset stomach, experts advise abstaining from dairy for around three days.

 

How Can You Recover From Food Poisoning Quickly?

You might be asking what you can do to help your body get back on track in addition to what to eat and drink. The following could be beneficial as well:

 

Get Lots Of Sleep.

Try to minimize your work and social obligations, and make sure you receive enough rest. This allows your body to recover.

 

Remain Hydrated.

During the initial stages of food illness, fluids are more crucial than nourishment. Small, regular sips will assist, even if it might feel like work.

 

Try Using Over-The-Counter Drugs.

Treatments for food poisoning and diarrhea delays include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). To ensure you don't take too much, adhere to the directions on the container. However, if you have a fever or any blood in your diarrhea, stay away from these drugs. For further advice, consult your provider.

 

Consult A Professional If Your Condition Doesn't Improve.

See your provider if, after a few days, your symptoms don't go away. If you're feeling queasy, they can suggest taking a prescription drug such Ondansetron (Zofran)

 

Can You Recover From Food Sickness With Probiotics?

Probiotics can support optimal gut health and function. They might also aid in your diarrhea recovery. Although the exact mechanism of action of probiotics is yet unknown, experts believe that these bacteria can produce chemicals that boost the immune system and aid in the battle against infection. Yet, the effects of various probiotic strains can vary. If you wish to start taking probiotics after being sick, it might be advisable to speak with a healthcare provider first.

 

In Summary

Although food poisoning can develop rapidly, recovery is frequently more sluggish. It can take a long time for your stomach to heal. Even after diarrhea and vomiting have stopped, it's common to continue to feel nauseous, indigestion, or bloated. Take it slow while returning to your regular diet and be kind to your body. Start with small meals and observe your reactions to different foods. Your body will get the time it needs to heal completely as a result.


Please book an appointment with the best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.