Food poisoning results when you eat contaminated foods. According to MayoClinic.com, food poisoning can be bacterial, viral or parasitic. Food poisoning occurs as a result of improper handling, undercooking or inadequate storage; however, foods can be infected with toxins at any point during manufacturing and processing, as well. Cases of food poisoning vary from mild to severe depending on the toxin involved and your health status. Food toxins that result in food poisoning include salmonella, E. coli, listeria and cyclospora.
Fighting Dehydration
According to MedlinePlus, one of the main concerns during food poisoning is dehydration. Your body loses fluids rapidly when you vomit or have diarrhea, so it is important to replace those fluids. You should also avoid ingesting anything that may increase the severity of your vomiting or diarrhea. In cases of severe vomiting, stay hydrated by sucking on ice chips. Once the vomiting has ended, begin slowly replacing fluids by drinking clear beverages such as water, apple juice or electrolyte drinks. Avoid caffeinated beverages, which increase stomach upset and cause further dehydration. Avoid dairy products, as well, which may exacerbate diarrhea.
Stopping Vomiting
When vomiting ceases and you are able to keep ice chips down, you can begin to prepare your stomach for nutrients. Start with a lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, which will give you a little bit of glucose without irritating your stomach. You may be extremely thirsty from the vomiting, but you need to sip the soda slowly, allowing it time to settle in your stomach. If you are able to keep the soda down for 30 to 60 minutes, then you can try eating something very mild and starchy. Saltines are perfect for this purpose. Eat them slowly and allow them plenty of time to settle in your stomach. If you are able to keep saltines down, you can move on to the BRAT diet.
BRAT Diet
The BRAT diet is an acronym that stands for bananas, applesauce, rice and toast. All of these are foods that minimally irritate the stomach and can help to stop diarrhea. Your stomach may be tender for a few days after your outbreak ends. You may still have diarrhea or loose stools, so a BRAT diet can help to calm your stomach and help with your diarrhea. Following a BRAT diet helps you avoid foods that will cause further stomach upset like sugars and fats. When on the BRAT diet, eat bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, yogurt and tea. All of these foods are easy to digest, and the yogurt helps build up intestinal flora that may have been lost. While on the BRAT diet, drink plenty of fluids to continue to rehydrate.
Return to Normal Eating
It may take a few days for your stomach to be able to process foods normally. As you return to normal eating, avoid foods that may upset your stomach like spicy or acidic foods. Eat mild soups, lightly buttered toast, crackers and plain proteins like eggs or skinless chicken breast. After a few days of eating a mild diet, you should be able to return to your normal eating habits.
Avoiding Food Poisoning
After you've recovered, there are steps that you can take to prevent further outbreaks of food poisoning. A "Reader's Digest" article says that to prevent food poisoning, there are several steps you can take to improve food safety. Wash your hands before handling food for at least 20 seconds using soap and warm water. Refrigerate perishable foods and always heat them to safe temperatures. Refrigerate leftovers right away rather than letting them cool on the counter. Thoroughly wash produce. Throw away dented or bulging cans. Clean counters and preparation surfaces using a bleach water solution.
