Viral gastroenteritis, or the stomach flu, is an infection that often causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and watery diarrhea. Although the stomach flu has no effective treatment, it doesn't usually pose a serious threat to otherwise healthy adults and children, according to MayoClinic.com. Doctors also sometimes recommend following bland diets to reduce unwanted symptoms and speed up recovery.
BRAT Diet
One of the most popular bland food diets is the BRAT diet. The "BRAT" stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. These foods can help tame an upset stomach because they don't contain large amounts of fat or spices. The diet is also high in fiber, which helps make your stools firmer when you have diarrhea. The bananas in the BRAT diet are rich in potassium, which helps replace nutrients your body has lost through diarrhea and vomit, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Other Bland Foods
If your doctor recommends that you follow a BRAT diet or another bland food diet, you may also safely include foods such as soda crackers, clear soups, gelatin, skinless white chicken and boiled potatoes. However, you should only eat these foods in small amounts at first and stop eating them if your nausea and vomiting return.
Off-Limits Foods
Avoid milk, fiber-rich foods, dairy products, sugary foods and drinks, highly seasoned foods, and fatty foods for the first two to four days after your symptoms started to diminish. These foods and drinks can trigger nausea or cause more diarrhea. Examples of "off limits" foods include brown rice, oatmeal, seeded berries, raw vegetables, peppers, gassy vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, seeded berries, crunchy peanut butter, pickles, beans and processed meats. Also, avoid indulgences such as alcohol, caffeine and nicotine until you are in the clear.
Tips About Fluids
Bland food diets aren't recommended if you're still actively vomiting. Limit your diet to clear liquids to stay hydrated until you have stopped vomiting for a few hours. Water, clear soda, broth and plain gelatin in small sips or bites may be tolerable because they go through your system without much effort. Your doctor may recommend that you emphasize electrolyte beverages if your diarrhea and vomiting is frequent. Get medical help if you have been trying to stay hydrated but your urine is dark and infrequent or if you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded.
Tips
Bland diets are more effective when you eat and drink cautiously. You may reduce your risk of vomiting or having diarrhea when you eat small and frequent meals rather than three large ones and if you chew your food thoroughly. You may also reduce your risk of having problems if you avoid surrounding yourself with unappetizing smells and if you avoid eating anything within two hours of bedtime.
Warning
A bland diet doesn't offer all the nutrients you need to thrive. In fact, following an eating program like the BRAT diet for too long will cause malnourishment and may impede your body's ability to recuperate from the stomach flu, warns the American Academy of Family Physicians. Ask your doctor to make some extra dietary recommendations if you have been following a bland diet for 48 hours and you're still having trouble eating regular foods such as fruits and vegetables.
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