Pros and consĭrinking water can help with digestion and prevent dehydration.

Vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so people with these symptoms should keep drinking water. People should not give children more than 81 fl oz of fluids at once.įor those with digestive issues, it is important to stay hydrated. For example, a child weighing 66 lb will require 57 fl oz of fluid per day. Children weighing more than 44 lb: Children of this weight require 50 fl oz for the first 44 lb, and then 0.6 fl oz for every 2.2 lb above this weight.For example, a child weighing 33 lb will require 42 fl oz of fluid per day. Children weighing 24 to 44 lb: Children of this weight require 3.3 fl oz per 2.2 lb for the first 22 lb, and then 1.6 fl oz for every 2.2 lb above this weight.For example, an infant weighing 22 lb will require 33 fl oz of fluid per day. Infants weighing 7.7 to 22 pounds (lb): Infants of this weight require 3.3 fluid ounces (fl oz) per 2.2 lbs.Younger children require slightly less water than adults: For most people, a suitable figure to aim for is approximately 8 or more cups of water daily. Activity levels, elevation, extreme temperatures, general health, and size can all make a difference in fluid needs.Īround 20% of a person’s fluid intake will come from food, with the rest coming from beverages. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that although the general rule of thumb is drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, a person’s fluid needs can vary. Being dehydrated makes digestion more difficult and less effective, increasing the likelihood of an upset stomach.Īdditionally, drinking water may help reduce heartburn. The body needs water to efficiently digest and absorb nutrients from foods and beverages. Some may also help ease stomach upset from other sources, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Shelly Frischmann is a Family Medicine nurse practitioner in Onalaska, Wisconsin.There are several popular home remedies for indigestion. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem. The main complication of a stomach bug is dehydration ― a severe loss of water, and essential salts and minerals. As always, discuss your medications with your health care provider to avoid any potential side effects. It’s best to use medications, such as ibuprofen, with food and sparingly, if at all, as they can cause an upset stomach. These foods include dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, processed foods, and fatty, spicy or highly seasoned foods.

Avoid certain foods until you feel better.Foods to eat include clear broths, crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Gradually incorporate bland, easy-to-digest foods into your system, but be sure to back off if your nausea returns. Try drinking clear soda or broths, or noncaffeinated sports drinks in small, but frequent, amounts to stay hydrated. I recommend these tips for fueling your body when you have viral gastroenteritis:Īvoid solid foods for a few hours, and stick with liquids. Knowing what to eat is difficult because you don’t always know what’s going to agree with your stomach. This infection often develops though contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water.Īn upset stomach is a common symptom of a stomach bug, and this can make eating sound unappealing, even though you may be hungry. It often is called a stomach “bug” or the stomach “flu,” but it’s not actually the flu or influenza, which is a respiratory illness. Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting and sometimes fever.

Foods good for upset stomach