Anyone can suffer from hyperemesis, which is the medical term for uncontrolled vomiting. Most of those who experience it, however, are pregnant women. During pregnancy, a woman is reminded to eat a balanced diet, but if she suffers hyperemesis, foods will not stay down. Certain foods have a calming, settling effect on the stomach, but what works one day may not work the next. Consult a physician to ensure that the foods you eat meet your daily dietary requirements.
Hyperemesis Management
Keep a diary of everything that triggers vomiting --- foods, activities, locations or odors. Avoid fatty foods and foods with offensive odors. Nibble crackers before rising and throughout the day. Always sit up in bed slowly, then sit on the edge of your bed before standing. Try not eating after a certain time in the evening, then sleeping on an empty stomach. If you experience extreme dehydration, see a doctor, because you may need intravenous therapy. Ask about a home IV.
Liquids
Liquids can trigger a hyperemetic reaction, but fluids are needed to prevent dehydration. Try drinking no liquids with meals. If that doesn't work, first line your stomach with a small bite of a cracker or plain toast before consuming liquids. Sip an ice-cold protein shake, 100 percent fruit juice or a carbonated beverage. The ginger in ginger ale can sometimes control vomiting. Suck on crushed ice, frozen fruit juice or glucose-electrolyte popsicles. Sip warm broths. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Grains
Cold, dry grains, such as crackers, cereal or toast, may be easier on the stomach. Also try plain, low-fat complex carbohydrates like rice or rice cakes, unsalted pretzels, pasta, potatoes, cereals, melba toast and oatmeal. Beware of adding butter, margarine and even salt and other spices, since they can trigger vomiting.
Dairy Products
Since fats can induce vomiting, eat only nonfat dairy products such as skim milk, nonfat yogurt, nonfat cottage or ricotta cheese, part-skim mozzarella cheese, nonfat cream cheese and nonfat salad dressings. Prepare puddings with almond milk, nonfat milk or soy milk. If you want butter, try nonfat margarine or clarified butter. Be advised that some doctors recommend avoiding dairy products altogether.
Meats and Meat Substitutes
Again, because fats can trigger vomiting, eat only lean meats, such as baked chicken or turkey breast, and broiled or baked lean beef. You might also try eating nuts and seeds. Sometimes salted nuts can stave off vomiting; other times, their fat content can trigger vomiting. Try eating nuts relatively low in fat, such as almonds or almond butter, and seeds and seed butters, like sunflower, safflower and sesame.
Fruits and Vegetables
Eat fresh vegetables such as celery, cucumbers, and carrots. Starchy vegetables like peas and potatoes may also help. Fruits that seem to settle the stomach include applesauce, canned fruits, dried fruits like raisins, fresh apples, jam or jelly on bread, pears and plums. If you crave a certain fruit or vegetable not listed here, try eating it anyway. It may contain precisely the nutrients your body needs.
Desserts
Eat only low-fat or nonfat desserts, such as puddings made with nonfat milk or nut milks, fruit gelatins, fruit sorbets, snow cones, ginger snaps, gingerbread cookies, nonfat or low-fat cake without icing, and nonfat or low-fat cookies, such as vanilla wafers or ginger snaps. Remember that ginger, even in cookies, can help ease hyperemesis.
References
- HER Foundation: What is Hyperemesis Gravidarum?
- "European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology";Ginger Treatment of Hyperemesis Gravidarum
- GentleBirth.org: Nausea/Morning Sickness
- The Nut Factory: Nutritional Facts
- Morning Sickness Help: Ginger and Morning Sickness
- Drugs.com: Hyperemesis Diet Care Guide
