Food to eat when you have food poisoning

Food poisoning may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, or abdominal discomfort. These symptoms can temporarily reduce appetite and make rich food harder to digest. Hydration matters because the body loses water and salts through vomiting and loose stools. A short period of reduced eating is usually less concerning than being unable to drink, but ongoing symptoms need attention.

Take frequent small sips of water, clear broth, or an oral rehydration drink. If you keep fluids down, try small servings of rice, toast, crackers, bananas, potatoes, or porridge. Eat slowly and stop before you feel full. Leave alcohol, greasy foods, strong spices, and excess caffeine until your stomach is calmer. You do not need a special restrictive diet once your appetite and bowel movements are improving. Oral Rehydration Therapy is designed to replace water and salts; IV Fluid Therapy may be needed when dehydration is severe or oral fluids cannot be kept down.

Contact a clinician promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, feel faint or confused, or have severe abdominal pain. Blood in vomit or stool, a high or persistent fever, marked weakness, or worsening diarrhoea also warrants medical advice. Get help sooner for a child, older person, pregnant person, or anyone with a significant long-term illness.

Ask when you should restart regular meals, which oral rehydration product is appropriate, and whether your medicines should be changed while vomiting or eating very little. Mention recent travel, shared meals, or other people with similar symptoms.