Food for vomiting

Vomiting irritates the stomach and can leave you dehydrated. Nausea may continue even when the stomach is empty. Causes include gastroenteritis, food poisoning, migraine, medicines, and pregnancy; abdominal conditions such as gallstones or pancreatitis need different assessment.

There is no single food that treats vomiting. Your immediate priority is replacing fluid and salts that are lost. If vomiting follows a head injury, occurs with a severe headache, or comes with fever and a stiff neck, seek medical advice promptly.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If each sip triggers vomiting, pause briefly and restart more slowly. Once fluids stay down, try toast, rice, bananas, potatoes, crackers, soup, or another plain food in a small portion.

Eat slowly and remain upright afterwards. Avoid alcohol, very fatty meals, strong spices, and large portions until your stomach feels settled. Do not force food if you are not hungry, but continue attempting fluids. Infants, older adults, and people with long-term conditions can dehydrate quickly and may need earlier advice.

Get urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down, vomit blood or green material, have severe or worsening abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, very little urine, or a stiff neck with fever. Contact a clinician if vomiting continues, follows travel or a new medicine, or affects a child who is unusually sleepy.

Ask what may be causing the vomiting, which rehydration product is suitable, whether an anti-sickness medicine is safe with your conditions, and what symptoms should trigger urgent review.