Stomach cramps often mean you have no appetite. Eating something, however, may be one of the best ways to alleviate symptoms. According to Kaiser Permanente's "Healthwise Handbook," bland, easily digested foods are your best bet. The BRATTY diet for diarrhea -- bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, tea and yogurt -- can work equally well to alleviate a cramping tummy. Note that stomach cramps can indicate a serious condition. Check with your doctor if cramps continue for more than a few hours or if the pain is very intense.
Bananas
Bananas are bland, filling, fibrous and starchy. They're easy to chew and digest, and mild on an already upset tummy. The starch can absorb stomach acid, alleviating pain. The fiber can help your body pass whatever may be causing the cramps. According to Diet Health Club, bananas contain a fiber that helps regrow healthy bacteria in your stomach. They also contain electrolytes that can help alleviate dehydration if your cramps are accompanied by nausea or diarrhea.
Rice
Your body breaks rice down into a bland, expanding gel. This gel can absorb irritants and soothe your digestive tract, says the "Healthwise Handbook." Although brown and wild rices contain more nutrients, they are also harder to digest. White rice delivers a dose of easily digested carbohydrates to give your body energy when it needs it most.
Applesauce
Applesauce contains fluid, fructose and pectin. The fluids help fight dehydration, with an assist from its content of potassium, manganese and vitamin C, says Diet Health Club. The fructose is an easily digested sugar, giving your body energy to fight what's causing your cramps. Pectin is a thickening agent, the same one used in jam, which can help firm up stool and bring your digestive tract back to normal.
Toast
The toasting process converts the starches in bread into an easily digested carbohydrate, again providing easily accessed energy. The "Healthwise Handbook" recommends white bread toast while your cramps are severe, changing to more nutritious whole grain bread as your digestive system returns to normal.
Tea
Tea contains antioxidants and micronutrients that can help strengthen your immune system to fight many causes of stomach cramps, says Dr. Steven Pratt in "Superfoods Rx." Because people often find warmth to be soothing for cramps, warm tea can help relieve pain. The Diet Health Club reports that green, oolong and black teas are the best options, but any tea will carry some benefit.
Yogurt
Plain or mildly flavored yogurt is a bland, protein-rich food. In many cases, gastric distress kills many of the helpful bacteria that live in your digestive tract. Yogurt is probiotic, meaning it helps to regrow bacteria colonies and restore stomach health. Diet Health Club warns that flavored yogurts often contain sugars that can worsen diarrhea and other stomach disorders.
References
- "Healthwise Handbook"; Kaiser Permanente; 2009
- Diet Health Club: BRATTY Diet
- "Superfoods Rx"; Dr. Steven Pratt, et al; 2004
