How Can I Manage Food Poisoning?

Did you avoid eating and drinking for a few hours after food poisoning?

Do you sip water or suck on ice chips?

Do you drink sports drinks, soda or tea without caffeine, or do you eat vegetable or chicken soups?

Do you eat BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apple sauce, toast)?

If you choose not to follow BRAT diet, do you eat small and low-fat meals?

Do you avoid products such as dairy products, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and fatty or seasonal food?

Are you resting?

Do you use probiotics (if your doctor allows it)?

Do you use over-the-counter medications to treat nausea and diarrhea?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways that can help you manage food poisoning. After food poisoning, it is important to allow your stomach to "rest", which means that you should completely avoid food and drink for a few hours. After that, you need to make sure you stay hydrated. You can slowly sip water or suck on ice chips. You can also drink electrolyte-containing sports drinks, decaffeinated sodas and eat vegetable or chicken soups. You will know that you are properly hydrated if your urine is light yellow. You can gradually start eating food that is easy to digest such as toast, bananas or rice.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to manage food poisoning. It usually takes about 48 hours for a person to recover after food poisoning. During that time, it is good to eat the so-called BRAT diet, which consists of bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast. This type of diet will help you replenish the nutrients you have lost through vomiting and diarrhea, and will help make your stool firmer. You should eat small meals to prevent nausea. If your doctor allows, you can add probiotics to your food. You can also use some over-the-counter medications to treat nausea and diarrhea.