9 Foods Thatll Help Relieve Nausea & Vomiting
When nausea strikes, the thought of consuming anything can be overwhelming. We’ve all been there – struggling to decide what’s safe to eat when our stomachs are out of sorts. While most natural foods can bring relief, not all fare well with a sensitive stomach or in the presence of unpleasant odors. Fear not, for these nine gentle foods and drinks can help alleviate discomfort and provide much-needed support during times of illness.
What’s the difference between nausea & vomiting?
Nausea is a stomach discomfort often accompanied by the urge to vomit. While it may prompt an episode of vomiting, it’s not always a guarantee. Vomiting, also known as emesis, occurs when the body forcibly expels stomach contents through the mouth, either voluntarily or involuntarily. A range of triggers can lead to vomiting, including infections, injuries, food sensitivities, motion sickness, and even brain trauma or head injury. These underlying causes can induce bouts of nausea and vomiting.
What to do if you feel nauseous?
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of various conditions, but three primary indicators include early pregnancy, stomach flu, and allergies. Additionally, numerous other factors such as illness, food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating, and blocked intestines can cause stomach discomfort.
Furthermore, health professionals suggest that nausea and vomiting can also be indicative of more severe underlying conditions like heart disease, kidney or liver disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain tumors, and certain types of cancer. If you suspect a serious condition, it’s essential to seek medical attention first and understand that this article focuses on nine foods that may help alleviate stomach discomfort and nausea, but is not intended as medical advice.
Instead, let’s explore strategies for alleviating nausea, including consuming ice-cold drinks and eating bland, light meals, which will be discussed in greater detail below.
9 Foods That’ll Help Relieve Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of various conditions, but three primary indicators include early pregnancy, stomach flu, and allergies. Additionally, numerous other factors such as illness, food poisoning, motion sickness, overeating, and blocked intestines can cause stomach discomfort.
Furthermore, health professionals suggest that nausea and vomiting can also be indicative of more severe underlying conditions like heart disease, kidney or liver disorders, central nervous system disorders, brain tumors, and certain types of cancer. If you suspect a serious condition, it’s essential to seek medical attention first and understand that this article focuses on nine foods that may help alleviate stomach discomfort and nausea, but is not intended as medical advice.
Instead, let’s explore strategies for alleviating nausea, including consuming ice-cold drinks and eating bland, light meals, which will be discussed in greater detail below.
Ginger.
When your stomach is feeling off-kilter, consider turning to ginger for relief. With a rich history of effectively treating nausea in both Western and folk medicine, ginger’s benefits are well-documented. Its bioactive compounds interact with both your central nervous system and stomach, allowing them to work together seamlessly to alleviate nausea symptoms.
Additionally, consuming ginger has been shown to reduce the severity of nausea associated with motion sickness, surgery, chemotherapy, and morning sickness during pregnancy. For an easy and convenient solution, try drinking ginger tea or taking ginger extract capsules whenever you need a little extra support.
Apples.
When it comes to managing nausea, fiber can be a valuable ally. However, overindulging in fiber-rich foods can have an adverse effect; it’s essential to strike a balance to avoid exacerbating the issue. The reason fiber can sometimes worsen nausea is that it takes time to move through your digestive system and break down, which can slow down digestion.
This might initially provide some relief by giving your stomach a chance to settle, but prolonged slowing of digestion can ultimately make nausea worse. To harness the benefits of fiber while minimizing its potential drawbacks, focus on incorporating high-fiber foods into your diet in moderation; aiming for daily consumption of fruits like apples and other whole grains is also crucial for maintaining overall health.
Ginger Ale, Juice, & Tea.
When nausea strikes, there’s no better way to regain your composure than with a refreshing drink. A variety of liquids can help alleviate dehydration and discomfort, including water, sports drinks, soda water, flavored sodas, iced tea, juice, and coconut water. However, one remedy stands out from the rest: ginger ale. This popular choice is often touted as an effective antidote to nausea, making it a top contender in any fight against queasy feelings.
In addition to choosing the right drinks, it’s essential to prioritize hydration, especially if you’re experiencing vomiting or a fever. By doing so, you’ll be taking crucial steps towards recovery and minimizing the discomfort of these unpleasant symptoms.
Coconut Water.
For those grappling with nausea and stomach upset, coconut water offers a multitude of benefits. Its unique composition includes electrolytes, which play a crucial role in maintaining hydration levels and preventing dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, the antioxidants present in coconut water help alleviate inflammation, which can contribute to discomforts such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms like cramping pain, bloating, gas, and constipation or diarrhea.
Furthermore, coconut water’s properties extend beyond simply replenishing fluids, as it also helps alleviate fatigue.
Protein.
When illness strikes, appetite often takes a hit. However, incorporating protein-rich foods can be a game-changer. Not only can protein help alleviate symptoms, but it can also provide a much-needed energy boost for those who don’t have dietary restrictions, such as nuts (including peanut butter), may offer relief. On the other hand, for individuals battling virus-induced nausea, a diet with reduced protein and fat content might prove more effective in managing symptoms.
Dry salty foods.
While many of us can’t imagine a snack menu without crackers, pretzels, and toast, these humble treats have a secret advantage when we’re feeling under the weather. Despite lacking any apparent logical explanation, people tend to find comfort in these dry, plain foods when they’re nauseous or sick. Perhaps it’s because they don’t trigger strong stomach reactions like other flavors might. Whatever the reason, it seems our bodies are wired to tolerate them more easily than richer fare.
This is especially important when we’re already feeling queasy on an empty stomach or faced with pungent aromas that can only exacerbate the issue.
Chicken Broths.
When illness strikes, a warm bowl of chicken broth can be a trusted companion. Not only does it offer relief from digestive issues like nausea and indigestion, but it also provides a much-needed boost of protein and essential nutrients. What’s more, the glutamine present in chicken broth plays a crucial role in supporting stomach health and promoting healing. As your body fights to regain its strength, this comforting liquid can be a vital ally.
Cold foods.
When we’re under the weather, it’s often easier to cope with a diet of cool or room temperature foods rather than hot ones. This is because cold foods typically don’t emit strong odors like warm or hot dishes do, which can be overwhelming when you’re already feeling queasy. When nausea is involved, the last thing we need is the pungent aroma of cooking food lingering in the air, making us feel even more unwell.
In this situation, sticking to tried-and-true cold comfort foods like jello, fruit, cereal, yogurt, ice cream, plain ice, or popsicles can be a soothing and practical choice.
Sports drinks.
While sports drinks are often associated with athletes and intense physical activity, their benefits extend beyond the gym. Many people can benefit from incorporating sports drinks into their daily routine, particularly when they’re experiencing stomach upset. The unique combination of electrolytes and sugars in these beverages helps to alleviate nausea by replenishing lost salts and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Dehydration is often cited as a contributing factor to nausea, but low glucose levels – which can result from excessive soda consumption – may also play a role. Muscle cramps are another potential issue that can be addressed by maintaining proper sodium intake through the use of sports drinks. By replenishing essential salts and promoting healthy hydration, these beverages offer a simple solution for individuals looking to alleviate nausea and maintain overall well-being.