What To Eat When You Are Sick To Your Stomach?

The best foods to eat in case of stomach pain are cooked vegetables such as carrot or chayota; vegetables such as okra, yam and pumpkin; fruit should preferably be cooked or roasted; chicken broth or hot soups and; easily digestible foods such as rice, toast or white bread. Foods to avoid are raw vegetables and foods with high fat content, because they are more difficult to digest.

 In addition to this, lettuce tea, anise or chamomile possess soothing medicinal properties that help relieve pain in the stomach, so they can also be included in the diet.

If the pain in the stomach takes more than 2 days to heal, it is best to consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose the cause of the pain, which may be associated with gastritis, a stomach ulcer, pancreatitis, anxiety or side effects of medications, for example, and should be treated appropriately. Learn more about the causes of stomach pain.

What to eat

The foods that should be eaten during stomach pain should be easily digestible and low in fat, thus preventing food from spending a long time in the stomach and worsen the discomfort, these are:

Fruits in general, in some people acidic fruits can cause reflux or pain when consumed, in these cases should be avoided. Jam or compotes can be included as long as it is 100% fruit and sugar free;

Fruits in general, in some people acidic fruits may cause reflux or pain when consumed, in these cases should be avoided. Jam or compotes can be included as long as it is 100% fruit and sugar free;

Vegetables in general, cooked and skinless legumes can be used during periods of crisis and pain, as they are easier to digest such as zucchini, eggplant, carrots, spinach, chard, green bean;

Vegetables in general, cooked and skinless legumes can be used during periods of crisis and pain, as they are easier to digest such as zucchini, eggplant, carrots, spinach, chard, green bean;

Low-fat meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish, preferably prepared grilled, roasted or boiled;

Low-fat meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish, preferably prepared grilled, roasted or boiled;

Milk and derivatives such as yogurt should be nonfat;

Milk and derivatives such as yogurt should be skimmed;

Carbohydrates, in times of crisis, whole foods should be avoided, being able to consume white rice, pasta, sweet potato and potato, due to the fact that they are easier to digest;

Carbohydrates, in times of crisis, whole foods should be avoided, being able to consume white rice, pasta, sweet potato and potato, due to the fact that they are easier to digest;

Teas such as chamomile tea;

Teas such as chamomile tea;

Decaffeinated coffee;

Decaffeinated coffee;

White cheeses such as ricotta or light curd;

White cheeses such as ricotta or light curd;

Olive oil raw and in small quantities;

Olive oil raw and in small quantities;

Natural condiments such as fine herbs, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, mustard.

Natural seasonings such as fine herbs, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, mustard.

During an upset stomach, foods should ideally be prepared in a softer mashed consistency and meat can be prepared ground. In the case of fruits and vegetables should be eaten cooked and without skin, so that the stomach works as little as possible and the discomfort is relieved. 

What not to eat with stomach pain

Although pain in the stomach decreases appetite, it is important to have small and frequent meals, every 3 hours, since staying a long time without eating can cause the stomach to release acid when it is empty, worsening the pain. 

When there is pain in the stomach it is not recommended to eat foods with high fat content, or consume foods that are irritating to the gastric mucosa and may aggravate any inflammation in the stomach such as:

Coffee, soft drinks and caffeinated beverages such as green tea, black tea and mate;

Alcoholic beverages;

Fried foods such as empanadas, arepas, nuggets, French fries;

Sausages such as chorizo, mortadella, sausages, black pudding;

Meats

Whole milk and derivatives;

Sugar, sweets and foods containing it;

Margarine and butter.

In addition to avoiding these foods, it is also important to avoid stress and to not smoking because it can make stomach pain worse. Learn more about what to do to relieve stomach pain.

Sample menu for pain in the stomach

The table below shows a sample 3-day menu for the treatment of gastritis and ulcer:

2 scrambled eggs with 1 slice of bread + 1 baked apple