What To Eat During Food Poisoning?

Nothing can be more distressing than falling sick after having your favourite dish. As bad as it sounds, food poisoning can really put you off – symptoms likeabdominal pain, nausea and vomiting can make you miserable. There is no immediate cure for the condition. However, there are a few tips that may help you learn how to stay fit and healthy in this unpleasant situation.  

What many people don’t realize is that the remedies to food poisoning are in their kitchen. The everyday ingredients such as cumin seeds you use in cooking can soothe your stomach and alleviate the symptoms of food poisoning.  

7 Best Foods for Food Poisoning

  1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties, which makes it an effective home remedy for food poisoning.  

Tips on How to Consume: Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of lukewarm water and drink it away – it will stabilize your body as you recuperate from the condition.

As a doctor, I highly recommend that you always check for the word ‘pasteurized’ on the containers of milk, yoghurt, cheese, and other dairy products. Pasteurization is a crucial process that may help eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens, ensuring the safety of these products.

Dr. Anuja Bodhare, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

  2. Bananas

Rich in potassium and fibre, bananas are easy to digest and make for a reliable, quick, healthy cure for food poisoning.

Tips on How to Consume: Consume one whole, ripe banana daily, or prepare a banana shake and consume the same twice every day.

  3. Basil

Basil has several health benefits – its antimicrobial properties can alleviate the discomfort caused by food poisoning.

Tips on How to Consume: Consume the juice of basil mixed with a teaspoon of honey, or chew on some basil leaves along with cardamom. The combination of cardamom and basil help to ease food poisoning symptoms.

I recommend including toast in your diet if you’re dealing with food poisoning. Toast is a low-fibre food option that may help firm up your stool, making it easier on your digestive system.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

  4. Seeds of Cumin

The seeds of this flavourful herb can reduce stomach inflammation and eases abdominal discomfort caused due to food poisoning.

Tips on How to Consume: Add one teaspoon of cumin seeds to a cup of boiling water. Add some freshly extracted coriander juice to it with a pinch of salt. Allow it to cool down until it is lukewarm and then drink it.

  5. Garlic

Packed with antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, garlic is certainly one of the most nutritive ingredients available. One of the many benefits of garlic is that it detoxifies your system, thus relieving you from gastrointestinal problems.  

Tips On How To Consume: Chew on a fresh garlic clove, or mix the crushed cloves of garlic with a teaspoon of honey before consuming.

I may give a friendly tip if you’re dealing with food poisoning. Adding oatmeal to your diet might be really helpful! Oatmeal is low in fibre, making it a suitable choice when you’re recovering from an upset tummy.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

  6. Lemon

Lemons are a great source of Vitamin C – it helps to keep you hydrated and relieves discomfort in the digestive system. Moreover, lemon helps in detoxification, which in turn, keeps your system clean and healthy from within.  

Tips On How To Consume: Squeeze out half a lemon into a glass of lukewarm water. Add a teaspoon of honey to it and consume. Drinking this water 2-3 times a day can speed up recovery from food poisoning.

  7. Yoghurt And Fenugreek Seeds

The antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of yoghurt make it an ideal food to eat. Consuming yoghurt helps to combat bacteria, which cause food poisoning. When combined with fenugreek seeds, it has a soothing effect on your stomach – the concoction provides prompt relief from abdominal discomfort.

Based on my observations, when dealing with food poisoning, opting for a nourishing choice like broth and whole-wheat crackers might be highly beneficial. Broth, with its sodium and water content, may aid in rehydration, helping to replenish lost fluids. Meanwhile, the crackers might provide some bulk to your stools, easing your digestive discomfort.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

General Steps To Take After Food Poisoning

You’ll need to calm your stomach and give it some rest after you get food poisoning. Apart from the above food poisoning foods to eat, here are some other steps you can take to speed up your recovery:

• Hydration: Giving your body enough water is important when it is trying to fight off and get rid of toxins or foods that are causing you pain. During food poisoning, you are also losing a lot of water due to diarrhoea and vomiting. You’ll need to compensate for this loss of liquid by drinking ample amounts of water or munching on ice chips. Dehydration can also mess with your body’s electrolyte balance, so be sure to fortify your liquid intake. TO do this you can use sports drinks, non-caffeinated beverages, broth and electrolyte drinks.  
• Bland Food: To give your stomach a rest, stay away from spicy and strong foods and keep the menu as bland as you can. Mild foods with low fibre and fat content can bring relief to your digestive tract. High fibre, high fat foods make your tummy work harder during digestion. Apart from the options covered in our list above, here are some bland food options you can try- bananas, cereal, honey, egg whites, oatmeal, jelly, toast and mashed potatoes.
• Natural Remedies: As mentioned above, there are plenty of natural foods to help you get better after food poisoning. Other natural remedies you can try include ginger tea for soothing your stomach and probiotic capsules (or foods like yoghurt) to increase healthy gut microorganisms.

What To Avoid

Now you know what to eat during food poisoning. But as we touched on earlier, you also need to avoid foods that could potentially make your stomach uneasy. First, get rid of the food that made you sick in the first place. Next, ensure that you are consuming only hygienic food that has been prepared safely. Avoid fried, spicy, heavily seasoned or fatty foods (no junk food items!). Also try to stay away from caffeinated drinks, alcohol, dairy products, nicotine and fruit juices. Although fibre is a healthy nutrient, try to avoid fibrous foods when recovering from food poisoning, since this can put a strain on your stomach.

Tips On How To Consume:

Mix one tablespoon each of yoghurt and fenugreek seeds, and consume it.

Food poisoning usually results from eating toxic, contaminated foods. Therefore, you must avoid certain types of foods – dairy products, spicy and processed foods, raw, unwashed vegetables and fruits – while recuperating from this painful condition.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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