A stomach virus causes a loss of vital body fluids from diarrhea and vomiting, which can leave you feeling weak. It also strips your GI system of necessary, normal flora -- the good bacteria that keep bad germs in check. Choose your foods wisely for a couple of days following a stomach virus as this will not only calm the stomach and intestines, but also re-establish the supply of normal bacteria in your GI tract.
Initial intake
The National Institutes of Health advises to allow the GI tract to settle for a few hours before trying food. Start with small sips of water every 15 minutes or suck on ice chips. Do not drink juices or sodas as they will stir up the diarrhea again. Avoid caffeine and alcohol for one or two days. Young children dehydrate quickly from vomiting and diarrhea. Rehydrate them with electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte, Infalyte, Ceralyte or Oralyte. Buy these at a pharmacy or supermarket.
BRAT Diet
When liquids stay down and a number of hours have passed without a vomiting episode, begin the BRAT diet, which consists of bananas, rice, applesauce and tea or toast, states the New York Times Health Guide Take an unripened banana and test your stomach with one bite every 15 minutes. Eat one spoonful every 10 minutes of plain rice, made with a little salt for flavoring. Bananas and rice provide bulk to your stools. Applesauce has pectin, which soothes the GI track. Tea dispels the nausea and calms the stomach.
Recovery
During recovery, get plenty of rest and gradually add bland foods to your diet. Lean chicken, plain potatoes, bread, vegetables, cereal, bananas and apples eaten in modest amounts should not upset your stomach. Do not eat dairy products, fried or creamed dishes or spicy foods. Plain yogurt can help replace the normal bacteria lost during the virus. The active culture in it, Lactobacillus acidophilus, can also be taken in capsule form until your bowels heal. Be sure to follow your doctor's orders for the recovery period and take any medications he administers. By the end of a week, you will eat all of your normal foods, if you introduce them slowly.
