Locations:
Search IconSearch
February 2, 2024/Living Healthy/Primary Care

What To Eat, Drink and Avoid When You Have the Stomach Flu

Start slowly with clear fluids, and then move to bland, easy-to-digest foods

Teacup of tea and plate of toast

When the stomach flu hits, you know how miserable it can be to try to eat anything. But even if you feel like a zombie, you are, in fact, still human. And humans need food and fluids to recover.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

But when you’re in the throes of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea from the stomach flu, food may be the last thing on your mind. After all, it can be tough to imagine getting anything down when you’ve seen it coming back up so recently. And that’s OK.

“If you’re down with a stomach bug and don’t feel like eating yet, don’t push it,” family physician Laura Lipold, MD, says. “Try to focus first on recovering, resting and staying hydrated.” Food can come later.

But what should you drink and eat when you have the stomach flu? And when? And what will make matters worse? Dr. Lipold shares advice to get you back on your feet again.

Start with hydration

The stomach flu — otherwise known as viral gastroenteritis — is an entirely different beast from the common flu, or influenza. Influenza is a respiratory virus. It comes with symptoms like coughs, fevers and a runny or stuffy nose.

The stomach flu is the one that has you reaching for the bucket or running to the bathroom.

And the biggest problem with the stomach flu is that vomiting and diarrhea deplete your body’s fluids. That leaves you at risk for dehydration, which can really complicate things. So, when the stomach flu hits, food isn’t your first concern. Keeping up your fluids is.

Advertisement

“Severe dehydration could mean a trip to the hospital to receive IV fluids. So, it’s important to try to stay hydrated if you can,” Dr. Lipold shares.

Wait until about two hours have passed since your last episode of vomiting, and start with small, frequent sips so as not to overwhelm your belly. Dr. Lipold suggests:

  • Water or ice chips.
  • Herbal decaffeinated tea. (Ginger tea or peppermint tea can be especially soothing for an upset stomach.)
  • Broth.
  • Electrolyte drinks and powders.

What to eat when you have the flu

For most people, it’ll take several hours after you’ve finished vomiting before food seems even remotely appealing.

But after things begin to settle down, your body will start giving you a gentle nudge that it’s feeding time again.

Wait until you’re able to keep down fluids before trying to eat foods. And even then, you’ll want to tread slowly and be thoughtful about how you begin to refuel. The right foods can help your body recover. The wrong ones can cause cramping and stomach pain or send you racing back to the bathroom all over again.

“I always advise people to eat only when they feel up to it when they have the stomach flu and even then, stick to small meals and snacks at first,” Dr. Lipold says. “If you’re still actively vomiting or having a hard time keeping down clear fluids, it’s not the time to try to eat yet.”

She shares some examples of easy-on-the-belly foods for when you’re fighting the stomach flu.

Complex carbohydrates

Some of the best foods for the stomach flu are foods that are soft, bland and easy to digest. When you’re coming off a bout of nausea and diarrhea, your belly will be happiest if it doesn’t have to work too hard.

That’s when the BRAT diet comes into play. BRAT stands for:

  • Bananas.
  • Rice.
  • Applesauce.
  • Toast.

The BRAT diet may not be the most exciting or enticing menu perhaps. But mild and easy on the belly? Absolutely.

That’s because these foods are good sources of complex carbohydrates, which are gentle on your stomach and some of the best choices to start to replace nutrients you lost in your (many) trips to the bathroom.

“Complex carbohydrates digest slowly into your bloodstream, so they can help your body recover without putting too much effort on your taxed GI system,” Dr. Lipold explains. “They also contain vitamins, minerals and fiber that your body needs.”

In addition to the BRAT diet, other complex carbs for stomach flu recovery include:

  • Potatoes.
  • Whole-grain products, like bread, cereal and pasta (without sauce).
  • Quinoa.
  • Brown rice.
  • Oatmeal.
  • Apples.
  • Butternut squash or acorn squash.
  • Grits.

Watery foods

Foods that have high water content can also help as you start to recover from the stomach flu. They’ll also help rehydrate you at the same time. Try foods like:

Advertisement

  • Jell-O®.
  • Popsicles.
  • Watermelon.

Ginger

Ginger can help ease the way that food travels through your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can help calm your vomiting reflex.

Some good sources of ginger for stomach flu relief include:

  • Ginger tea.
  • Ginger chews and candies (look for low-sugar options).
  • Ginger-infused snacks and cookies.
  • Powered ginger to sprinkle in a drink or on food.

What about the famous ginger ale fix? Not likely to help.

“Many people stand by ginger ale as a remedy for nausea, but in truth, it doesn’t contain enough real ginger to actually settle your stomach any better than other clear liquids,” Dr. Lipold reports. “And the carbonation can make bloating, gas and indigestion worse.”

Foods to avoid

What you don’t eat can be as important as what you do eat when you have the stomach flu. Some foods can be too much for your already overworked belly.

While you’re recovering, you’ll want to avoid foods that burden your GI tract. That includes things like:

  • Coffee.
  • Carbonated beverages, including soda.
  • Alcohol.
  • Juice.
  • Spicy or highly seasoned foods.
  • Fatty foods.
  • Greasy foods.
  • Acidic foods, like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
  • Dairy products.
  • Sugary foods and drinks.

When to seek medical care

Prolonged nausea and vomiting can take a big toll on your body. Talk with a healthcare provider if you:

Advertisement

  • Can’t keep down liquids for 24 hours.
  • Show signs of dehydration, like headaches, muscle cramps, dizziness, lightheadedness or dark-colored urine.
  • Are vomiting blood.
  • Have severe stomach pain.
  • Have bloody diarrhea.
  • Have a fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius).

The best way to recover from the stomach flu is with plenty of rest and plenty of liquids. Eat when you can, and take it easy. Your body has been through a lot.

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

Healthcare provider discussing stomach cancer with patient, with oversized gastric cancer ribbon in background
December 12, 2024/Cancer Care & Prevention
Life With Advanced Stomach Cancer: What Changes

Your relationships with food, physical fitness, social interactions and advance planning desires may need to be modified

Sliced grilled chicken sprinkled with sesame seeds over mixed greens with tomatoes and onions
December 12, 2024/Digestive
How To Change Your Diet After Gallbladder Removal

After a cholecystectomy, your body may temporarily have a hard time processing fat and fiber

Person with earbud in standing at kitchen sink drinking a glass of water
December 11, 2024/Nutrition
How To Get Caffeine Out of Your System

There’s no proven way to remove the natural stimulant from your body, but you can counter its effects by staying hydrated and getting in some movement

Bowl of oatmeal, topped with fried egg and avocado, with small bowl of seeds on table
December 10, 2024/Cancer Care & Prevention
Foods To Eat and Avoid When You Have Advanced Gastric Cancer

Opt for soft foods or liquids that are rich in protein, calories and vitamins

Person holding bottle of vitamins, reading the label
December 9, 2024/Women's Health
Can You Take Prenatal Vitamins Without Being Pregnant?

The pros and cons of taking prenatal vitamins when you’re not pregnant depend on your age, ethnicity and health

Person eating a spoonful of ice cream, holding a glass bowl of ice cream
December 6, 2024/Digestive
Can You Live Without a Gallbladder?

You may have some digestive issues after a cholecystectomy, but they’re usually temporary

Oversized temperature guage in front of globe, with mosquitos and clouds around
December 5, 2024/Primary Care
How Does Climate Change Affect Your Health?

Climate change can strain your heart, cause illnesses and make it difficult to breathe, but you can take steps to protect the planet and your health

Smiling, relaxing person in a yoga pose on an exercise mat in living room
December 5, 2024/Digestive
9 Common IBS Triggers and What To Do About Them

Triggers can range from the foods you eat and the medications you take to how often you exercise and how stressed you are

Trending Topics

Person touching aching ear, with home remedies floating around
Home Remedies for an Ear Infection: What To Try and What To Avoid

Not all ear infections need antibiotics — cold and warm compresses and changing up your sleep position can help

Infographic of foods high in iron, including shrimp, oysters, peas, cream of wheat, prunes, eggs, broccoli, beef and chicken
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Person squeezing half a lemon into a glass of water
Is Starting Your Day With Lemon Water Healthy?

A glass of lemon water in the morning can help with digestion and boost vitamin C levels, and may even help get you into a better routine

Ad