Tanya’s Tips: Conquer the flu!

Written by Tanya Zuckerbrot   

Q: Every year right around the holidays, I catch a stomach bug and can’t keep food down. But I always have so much to do! Is there anything I can do to feel better quicker?

—Kristy, 24, Baltimore

A: There’s nothing worse than being stomach sick. I’m sorry you’re feeling ill! Try not to stress — most stomach bugs last around 24 hours and symptoms can be alleviated with proper nutrition and rest. Here are my top stomach bug busting tips: 

Stay hydrated! Vomiting and frequent trips to the bathroom can cause dehydration. When we’re dehydrated, our electrolyte balance is off, which can affect our body’s blood chemistry (keeping it from flowing to vital organs), muscle action, and other processes. This can make us feel lethargic and achy. Prolonged dehydration can also lead to more serious complications such as increased heart rate and even coma, so it’s extremely important to drink plenty of fluids including, water, non-caffeinated tea, or sports drinks like Gatorade. (Even when we’re healthy, we can lose 2 liters of water each day! So sip as frequently as possible.) If you can’t keep anything down, try sucking on ice chips.   

Drink ginger You may have heard that drinking ginger ale helps nausea. While ginger can help alleviate the symptoms, the soda doesn’t have enough real ginger to help significantly — not to mention the high sugar content can actually make diarrhea worse. Instead, drink fresh ginger (chopped and steeped in hot water) or nibble on a small amount of crystallized or candied ginger. 

Say no to spice Stick to bland foods. Food with overpowering flavor, intense smells, or those that are high in fat can make symptoms worse. Aim for foods that are made mostly of carbohydrates — they’re easier to digest than proteins or fats. Try bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, or some type of cracker.

If your symptoms get worse or linger, call your doctor to rule out a more serious illness. 

Feel Better!
Tanya