4 Ways to Stay Hydrated After Food Poisoning

1. Take Small Regular Sips

You may not be able to keep much down when you're suffering from food poisoning. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms, and many of them will leach water from your body. Rather than swallowing liquids in great gulps, take them in tiny sips and keep doing it as often as you can. The frequency of the sips will make up for the tiny amounts of water taken in each time. Alternatively, you can suck on small chips of ice, which will allow you to take in water without having to swallow. You can also suck on frozen Popsicles if they have high water content.

2. Drink Liquids With Electrolytes

Sports drinks like Gatorade contain important minerals that help maintain your body's proper fluid balance. You often lose them to the symptoms of food poisoning. To stay hydrated, take sports drinks or other liquids containing electrolytes. Drink them in small sips if you can't manage larger swallows and cut them down with water if the taste triggers your nausea.

3. Stay Away From Alcohol and Caffeinated Beverages

Alcohol dries out your body, which is the last thing you want when you're suffering from food poisoning. In addition, caffeine is a diuretic, which increases the rate of liquid passing through your body. In both cases, they prevent you from staying properly hydrated. Avoid them until well after the symptoms of food poisoning have stopped. Unpasteurized milk may contain germs that hinder your body's ability to recover from food poisoning. Experts recommend staying away from it until you have fully recovered.

4. Get an IV Drip

If you are completely unable to keep liquids down, you should go to a hospital. They can administer fluids intravenously, as well as give you medicines to keep the vomiting and diarrhea under control.

Last updated on: Nov 18, 2009

Must see: Photo Galleries