An upset stomach can be caused by various things and it is never any fun to get that queasy feeling. Often, you want to eat but you do not want to upset your stomach further. These are some of the best foods for an upset stomach you can try at home.
Ginger
Ginger is also helpful if your stomach is upset which is why many people drink ginger ale if they have an upset stomach. Ginger has a strong taste but it can help. If you want a warm ginger drink, boil some water and slice some fresh ginger root to put in it. You can lighten the flavor with a squeeze of lemon juice and a little bit of honey.
Ginger promotes the secretion of digestive enzymes which will neutralize stomach acid. There are also phenols in ginger that relax stomach muscles and act like a sedative for irritated stomach tissue. The phenols aid in the transport of digested food and toxins from your intestine through your system and help to get rid of anything that is making you feel ill.
Keep it Simple
Bland foods can also help your stomach feel better and many people like to make milk toast to ease an upset stomach. The bread helps to absorb acid and the milk will coat your stomach. Drinking milk alone may upset your stomach if you are already feeling ill so milk toast is a good idea as long as you do not have gastroenteritis (stomach flu). If you have a stomach flu you will likely not react well to dairy. Milk toast can help relieve stomach upset that is caused by over-the-counter pain medications.
To make milk toast, heat a cup of milk in camping cookware until it is hot but not boiling. Pour the milk into a bowl and crumble a piece of toast that has been lightly buttered with unsalted butter into the milk. Eat it slowly and it should help to relieve nausea.
Other bland foods can also help to ease discomfort if you are experiencing bouts of diarrhea. Try bland starchy foods such as rice and potatoes or some plain pasta. These foods can help to absorb extra fluid and harden your stool.
Unexpected Helpers
Papaya may also help if you are feeling nauseous. Papaya is packed full of proteolytic enzymes which help in digestion. Some of the enzymes also help to break down proteins and soothe the stomach by creating a healthy acidic environment.
Mint is also used frequently to ease an upset stomach. It is a good choice if you are feeling bloated or feel like you ate too much. Take it in the form of peppermint tea or, if you have some fresh mint, infuse it into a glass of cold water.
Bananas are a good food to eat if you feel nauseous as they are easy to digest. The pectin in a banana will also help to keep your stool firm if you have been having diarrhea.
Though it was mentioned earlier that dairy may exacerbate issues with an already upset stomach, some dairy may have a good effect. A natural yogurt can help to restore balance in your stomach if you choose a yogurt with active cultures. Look for plain yogurt with live cultures and try a little bit at first.
If you have an upset stomach and are feeling nauseous, along with eating the right foods, make sure that you stay hydrated. If you have diarrhea or have been vomiting it is easy to become dehydrated. Ginger ale, peppermint tea, and water are all great choices for settling your stomach and keeping up your intake of fluids.
If you experience stomach upset frequently you may want to see if there are underlying issues. If you have further questions about the best foods for an upset stomach and are in the Los Angeles area, contact the office of Siamak Tabib, M.D. gastroenterologist to book an appointment for a professional diagnosis and a colonoscopy.
