Despite not being related to the influenza virus, according to the Cleveland Clinic, viral gastroenteritis is commonly called stomach flu. No matter what you call it, this medical condition causes the large intestine to lose its ability to retain liquids, causing abdominal discomfort and fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhea. You lose even more fluids when gastroenteritis causes a fever. When sick with the stomach flu and fever, you should progress through foods that replace fluids without irritating your digestive system.
Sips and Chips
Eat only ice chips and sips of water in the first few hours of feeling the symptoms of stomach flu. Food may irritate your stomach, and you should allow your digestive tract to rest after vomiting or having diarrhea. Sipping small amounts of water will reduce dehydration caused by vomiting, diarrhea or sweating from fever.
Clear Liquids
Try small amounts of clear liquids as tolerated. Do not advance your diet if small amounts of liquids cause you to vomit. Start with liquids that are clear at room temperature, like gelatin, popsicles, tea and broth. Continue consuming clear liquids as you advance your diet to include other foods to further avoid dehydration.
Electrolyte Replacement
Dehydration causes electrolyte imbalances which may, in the worst cases, cause abnormal heart rhythms. Give children electrolyte drinks that replace the potassium, sodium and other essential nutrients lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Adults may drink sports drinks designed to balance electrolytes.
Full Liquids
As you can tolerate, add full liquids to your clear liquid diet. Do not hurry into full liquids until you are ready, as the body may process these foods into stool which may result in diarrhea. Full liquids are those foods that are opaque liquids at room temperature such as ice cream, plain cream soups or pudding. Progress as rapidly as possible to a soft, bland diet as a full liquid diet does not provide a healthy amount of iron, vitamins A and B12 and thiamine, according to Jackson and Siegelbaum Gastroenterology.
Soft, Bland Diet
A soft, bland diet is easy for a recuperating body to digest. Soft food moves through the intestines easily. Bland food does not contain spice or large amounts of fat.
Begin to add soda crackers, mashed potatoes and low-fiber cooked cereals to the diet as tolerated. Continue taking in water, juices and gelatin to replenish fluids lost through illness. Eat small portions a couple of hours apart to give your body time to slowly digest food. If diarrhea returns, refrain from eating for several hours and start again with a liquid diet.
