Navigating a Stomach Virus: What to Eat & Drink for Recovery

A stomach virus is also called viral gastroenteritis. A person with a stomach virus may have nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and intestinal cramps. This can make eating or drinking anything very difficult. However, the body needs fluids and at least a small amount of food to help it heal itself as quickly as possible.

First Eat Nothing

• Don't eat or drink anything for the first few hours after stomach virus symptoms start.

Eat Ice Chips and Drink Clear Liquids

• After the first few hours of illness have passed, try to eat ice chips and sip on clear liquids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

Dry Carbohydrates

• As tolerated, slowly start to eat dry toast and crackers.

Sweets

• Eat bananas and Jello if you can keep them down. Only eat sweet foods with natural sugar or very little sugar, such as fruit.

Chicken

• Eat chicken and/or chicken soup. Stop eating if you feel like vomiting again.