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Good Foods to Eat With a Stomach Virus

A stomach virus is a viral infection affecting the stomach and small intestine. This virus causes stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fever, loss of appetite and body aches. The best treatment for stomach viruses is one to three days of bed rest and watery foods to prevent dehydration. You bowels may not readjust for another week or two.

  1. Clear Liquids

    • Avoid solid foods the first day of your stomach virus. Take small, frequent sips of liquids if you are vomiting. The University of Michigan Health System website says drinking too much intensifies vomiting episodes. Chew or suck on ice cubes to rehydrate your body. Frequent vomiting leads to loss of nutrients like minerals, sodium and potassium, so consume fluids to replace electrolytes. Sports drinks like Gatorade replace nutrients. Give your children Pedialyte drinks or electrolyte popsicles if they get a stomach virus. Weak tea, decaffeinated beverages like flat 7-UP and apple juice rehydrate the body as well. Health care providers suggest liquids that replace minerals and nutrients. Dehydration is a serious condition, especially for children with viruses.

    Drinks to Avoid

    • Don't drink caffeinated, carbonated soft drinks. Avoid acidic fruit juice and caffeinated coffee. Don't drink milk if you are suffering from diarrhea. Don't drink beverages room temperature. Cold drinks stay in the system better.

    Bland Foods

    • Eat soft bland foods once you stop vomiting and can drink clear fluids without stomach upset. Bland foods to eat during a stomach virus include toast, pretzels, crackers, warm broth, popsicles, gelatin, bananas, plain noodles, eggs and applesauce. Gradually reintroduce foods after three days, when symptom of stomach viruses has subsided. Return to bland foods if your stomach cramps or your digestion system has repaired.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Don't eat dairy products during a stomach virus. Avoid acidic, spicy soups and foods. Stay away from fibrous foods like coarse grains and vegetables, especially if you have diarrhea, meats and dairy products. Consume non-fat or low-fat plain yogurt once the illness subsides to replace good bacteria in the digestive tract.

    Other Recommendations

    • Eating a bland diet and drinking clear liquids helps as you recover from a stomach virus, but bed rest is a necessity. This illness, although short, is contagious so wash hands before eating and after going to the bathroom to avoid the spread to other people. Stay away from common areas of the home and clean them with a disinfectant. Keep children out of school to avoid an epidemic. Talk to doctors about over-the-counter or prescription medications for nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

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