What to eat during food poisoning

Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea can make normal meals difficult. The immediate concern is replacing fluid and salts lost through vomiting or loose stools. Food does not remove the infection, but gentle choices can provide energy while your stomach recovers. You can usually pause solid food briefly if eating triggers vomiting, while continuing tiny sips.

Try water, clear soup, or an oral rehydration drink in small, repeated amounts. When fluids stay down, start with toast, rice, bananas, potatoes, crackers, or porridge. Eat small portions and increase them gradually. Avoid alcohol, very fatty meals, heavy spices, and large amounts of caffeine while symptoms are active. Resume your usual varied diet as appetite returns; prolonged restriction is unnecessary. Oral Rehydration Therapy can help replace fluid and salts, while IV Fluid Therapy may be considered when drinking is not possible.

Seek prompt medical advice for blood in vomit or stool, severe or worsening abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, very little urine, or inability to keep fluids down. Fever with marked weakness, signs of dehydration, or symptoms that are not settling also deserve assessment. Young children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with long-term conditions may become dehydrated more quickly.

Ask which rehydration drink suits you, when to restart normal meals, and whether another illness could explain persistent vomiting or diarrhoea. Discuss any medicines that may need adjustment while you cannot eat or drink normally.