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. The wrong foods, however, can make your symptoms worse.

At First Response Urgent Care in Brooklyn, New York, our team of experts shares what to eat, drink, and avoid when you’re battling the stomach flu. 

Eating with the stomach flu

Your digestive system is extra sensitive when you have the stomach flu and some foods can trigger more 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 like soft-cooked vegetables and other lean proteins like white fish. 

Drinking with the stomach flu

Hydration is very important when you’re recovering from the stomach flu due to fluid loss with vomiting and diarrhea. Like food, keep your fluids simple and plain, 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 the easy-to-digest foods than to try and 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 coming in to see us at First Response Urgent Care if your symptoms last more than two days (diarrhea, vomiting, or fever) or you can’t seem to keep anything down.

The major 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, let us help. We have walk-in visits or you can call and schedule an appointment or book one online. We have two locations in Brooklyn, on Belmont Avenue and on Fulton Street.