Everyone gets an upset stomach sometimes. When your stomach hurts and cramps, or you feel nauseous, the last thing you want to do is eat something that makes it worse.
Some foods can worsen symptoms, while others can help alleviate them. Below are some ingredients that could help settle your stomach or prevent further complications.
Clear Liquids for Dehydration
When vomiting and diarrhea accompany an upset stomach, it’s easy for your body to lose electrolytes and become dehydrated. This can be restored by drinking liquids and eating foods that naturally contain electrolytes. Water, fruit juice, coconut water, clear broth, and saltine crackers are great ways to restore fluid loss and getting minerals in your body when you can’t keep solid food down.
Chamomile for Intestinal Discomfort
Chamomile is used often as a traditional remedy for intestinal troubles, including gas, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. It can be dried, brewed into a tea or taken by mouth as a supplement to reduce vomiting and soothe intestinal discomfort.
Ginger for Nausea and Vomiting
Ginger is a natural remedy for both nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of an upset stomach. It can be enjoyed raw, cooked, steeped in hot water (a nice ginger tea is great), or as a supplement. Women often take ginger to help alleviate morning sickness.
Fermented Dairy Products for Bowel Movements
Sometimes stomach problems can be caused by dysbiosis, an imbalance in the type or number of bacteria in your gut. Eating foods rich in probiotics, especially fermented dairy products, may help correct this imbalance and reduce symptoms of gas, bloating, and irregular bowel movement.
Probiotic-containing dairy products that benefit gut health include plain nonfat yogurt and buttermilk. However, stay away from milk, cheese, and ice cream when you have a stomachache.
Flaxseed for Constipation and Stomach Pain
Chronic constipation is often associated with abdominal pain and discomfort. Flaxseed, also called linseed, can help regulate bowel movements and relieve constipation and abdominal pain. It can be consumed either as a ground flaxseed meal or flaxseed oil. A simple form of magnesium can also help with constipation, and we all need magnesium.
Papaya for Indigestion
Papaya, also known as pawpaw, is sometimes used as a natural remedy for indigestion. This fruit contains papain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins in food, making them easier to digest and absorb. Don’t eat other raw fruits until you feel better. They’re great when you’re healthy, but the fiber in them can make an upset stomach worse.
Bland Carbs for Diarrhea
Bland carbohydrates like rice, oatmeal, crackers, and toast are often recommended for people suffering from upset stomachs. In this case, choose the white variants (like plain white rice and bread) temporarily. Wholegrain and brown foods are healthier, but the fiber can make the symptoms worse. Starchy, low-fiber foods can help stop diarrhea that accompanies stomach problems.
Usually, a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help keep your digestive system healthy. But, when experiencing stomach problems, eating foods from the above list can help you feel better and recover faster.
[RECIPE] Homemade Vegetable Stock
Once you make your own vegetable stock, you won’t want to ever buy it again. It’s so quick and easy to make, and it is a great way to use up all those fresh herbs and vegetables you didn’t get around to using. Simply freeze whatever portion you don’t use right away, and then pull it out whenever you want to make a quick soup, stew, or slow cooker meal.
Prep time: 25 minutes
Broth with carrots, onions various fresh vegetables in a pot – colorful fresh clear spring soup. Rural kitchen scenery vegetarian bouillon or stock
Makes 4 cups
Ingredients (use organic when possible):
- 1/4 c. olive oil
- 2 large onions, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 3 large carrots, cut into chunks
- 3 stalks celery, cut into chunks
- Water to cover
- 8 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 handful whole fresh parsley
- Small handful whole peppercorns
Directions:
- Add olive oil to a large stockpot and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, carrots and celery to heated olive oil and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the flavor is released.
- Add enough water to cover the vegetables, followed by thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, parsley and peppercorns. Heat mixture over medium-high heat until it just about boils, and then reduce heat to medium-low. Give it a quick stir and simmer, uncovered, for about an hour (the exact amount of time doesn’t matter – the longer it simmers, the better the flavor will be).
- Place a stainless steel colander over a large pot in the sink. Carefully pour contents of stockpot into the colander to separate out the solids from the liquid. Discard solids and allow liquid to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe storage containers. Freeze until ready to use.
To Your Health,
Patti
