Foods that Soothe Stomach Aches

FOODS THAT SOOTHE STOMATCH ACHES

All the extra eating during the holidays can make your stomach not-so-jolly. Here’s what to eat when the treats, sweets and snacks bite back.

A stomach ache (abdominal pain) is discomfort anywhere in the midsection. Almost everyone experiences a stomach ache at some point. The discomfort can take a variety of forms, including cramps that come and go; sudden, stabbing pains or a constant, dull, abdominal aching. Most causes of abdominal pain are nothing to fret about, and can be easily treated by eating bland foods or drinking fluids in small amounts throughout the day. The most common reasons for a stomach ache are constipation, gas, indigestion, food allergies and a virus such as the stomach flu. However, if the pain worsens, doesn’t go away or keeps coming back, reach out to your doctor as this could be a sign of internal inflammation or infection.

foods to avoid these can often make a sour stomach even worse.

DAIRY The lactose in milk products can be tough to digest. When lactose isn’t digested properly, gas and bloating result. Lactose-free options can be an alternative.

FRIED FOODS Fried foods can move undigested through the body too quickly, leading to diarrhea, or stay in the digestive tract too long, resulting in bloating.

RAW FRUITS & VEGGIES If experiencing diarrhea, the higher fiber content in fruits and veggies can make symptoms worse. Ease your way into these with small portions.

SODA Reach for the ginger—skip the ale. While ginger is a great way to combat nausea, the sugar in soda can often worsen diarrhea.

SPICY FOODS Foods prepared with hot spices like cayenne or chili peppers contain capsaicin, an ingredient that can irritate the stomach lining or intestines.

FOODS for an upset stomach

when faced with abdominal pain and discomfort, reach for one of these tummy-soothing foods.

APPLESAUCE has soluble fiber, which can help absorb liquid in the intestines to alleviate diarrhea.

BANANAS help replenish the body with potassium and fluid that can be lost from vomiting.

COCONUT WATER replaces fluids and electrolytes without sugar after vomiting or having diarrhea.

CRACKERS and other foods that are high in starch absorb gastric acid, which can settle a queasy stomach.

GINGER contains a compound called gingerol that can help soothe an upset stomach and prevent nausea.

HERBAL TEA such as chamomile relaxes muscles to relieve gas, while easing discomfort from belly bloat.

PEPPERMINT calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile to digest fat.

RICE can help firm up stool to relieve diarrhea. Plain white rice is easier to digest because it lacks fiber.

ROLLED OATS include fiber, which helps regulate digestion and bind stool to relieve diarrhea.

SOUP provides the body vitamins and nutrients in a broken down and ready-to-digest form.

TOAST has higher levels of starch, which helps absorb gastric acid and settles a queasy stomach.

YOGURT is a probiotic-rich food that can enhance the gut microbiota for improved digestive health.

Lemon-Chicken Vegetable Soup

broth-base soups help replace salt and fluid to prevent dehydration.

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Cucumber Mint Cooler

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