What should you eat with stomach flu?

Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps, fever, and loss of appetite can make meals unappealing during gastroenteritis. The body can manage a temporary reduction in food better than a shortage of fluid, especially when losses continue. Rotavirus infection can cause digestive symptoms in children. Your symptoms do not confirm one cause by themselves, so worsening pain or an unusual pattern deserves clinical advice.

Begin with frequent small sips of water, clear soup, or oral rehydration solution. When that feels comfortable, try plain rice, bread, pasta, potatoes, crackers, banana, or a small bowl of soup. Eat slowly and choose small portions rather than a heavy meal. Avoid alcohol, greasy meals, and foods that clearly trigger cramps or nausea. Keep breastfeeding, and ask a healthcare professional about a baby who is feeding poorly.

Speak with a clinician if you cannot maintain fluids, are urinating much less, feel faint, or have a dry mouth with marked weakness. Urgent assessment is needed for severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit or stool, confusion, or a persistent fever. Seek advice sooner for an infant, older person, pregnant person, or anyone with a significant medical condition.

Ask whether an oral rehydration drink is suitable, how to handle regular medicines, and when reduced appetite warrants an examination.