Stomach flu is a common term for viral gastroenteritis, which is an infection of the stomach and intestines caused by various types of viruses. It can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration. Stomach flu can be transmitted through contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, or unwashed hands. The best way to prevent stomach flu is to practice good hygiene, avoid contact with sick people, and cook food thoroughly.

Stomach flu usually lasts for a few days, but it can be serious for some people, especially infants, children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. There is no specific treatment for stomach flu, except for drinking fluids to prevent dehydration and taking medications to relieve symptoms. However, some people may need hospitalization if they have severe dehydration, blood in their vomit or stool, or signs of shock.

Home remedies for stomach flu

Home remedies are solutions to stomach flu that are readily available at home and easy to adapt to them. Some home remedies for stomach flu are:

i). Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. You can try water, broth, sports drinks, or oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte.

ii). Eat bland foods that are easy to digest, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This is known as the BRAT diet

iii). Avoid dairy, spicy, fatty, and fibrous foods, as they can worsen your symptoms.

iv). Try acupressure or ginger to reduce nausea and vomiting.

v). Get enough rest and sleep to help your immune system fight the infection.

vi). Take over-the-counter medications to relieve fever, pain, and diarrhea, but only if recommended by your doctor.

These remedies may help you feel better and recover faster from stomach flu. However, if you have severe symptoms, such as blood in your vomit or stool, signs of dehydration, or persistent fever, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

BRAT DIET

The BRAT diet is a low-fiber, bland food eating plan that is often used to treat stomach issues, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. BRAT stands for: Banana, Rice, Apple sauce and Toast which are the main foods allowed on this diet. The idea is that these foods are gentle on the stomach and may help firm up the stool.

However, the BRAT diet is not recommended for long-term use, as it is very restrictive and low in protein, fat, and other nutrients. It may also not be effective for some causes of diarrhea. Therefore, it is better to eat a balanced diet that includes other bland foods, such as: crackers, boiled potatoes, cooked cereals, and broth, as soon as you can tolerate them. You should also drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and avoid foods that are spicy, fatty, greasy, or acidic.

Some other bland foods that you can include in your bland diet are:

a). Milk and other dairy products, low-fat or fat-free only.

b). Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables, such as beets, carrots, green beans, peas, spinach, and pumpkin.

c). Fruit and vegetable juices, except for tomato and citrus juices.

d). Cooked or canned fruit with the skin and seeds removed, such as applesauce or canned peaches.

e). Breads, crackers and pasta made with refined white flour.

f). Puddings and custard .

g). Smooth nut butters.

h). Weak black tea, green tea, and some herbal teas.

You should avoid foods that are tough, high fiber, high fat, spicy, or gas-producing, as they can irritate your digestive system and worsen your symptoms. You should also eat smaller meals more frequently, eat more slowly, and avoid lying down soon after eating.

Can one eat eggs on a bland diet?

Yes! You can eat eggs on a bland diet, as long as they are cooked well and not fried.

Eggs are a good source of protein and can help you feel full. However, you should avoid adding too much butter, cheese, or other high-fat ingredients to your eggs, as they can worsen your digestive symptoms. You can try scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, or poached eggs on a bland diet.

Some tips for making eggs on a bland diet are:

• Use low-fat or fat-free milk instead of cream or whole milk when scrambling eggs.

• Cook the eggs over low or medium heat and avoid browning or burning them.

• Season the eggs lightly with salt and pepper, and avoid spicy or acidic sauces, such as salsa, ketchup, or hot sauce.

• Add some cooked or canned vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, or peas, to your eggs for extra flavor and nutrition.

• Serve the eggs with some toast, rice, or oatmeal for a balanced meal.

Some high-fiber food to avoid while having stomach flu

a). Whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole-wheat bread, and bran cereal.

b). Raw fruits and vegetables, especially those with skins and seeds.

c). Beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds

d). Dried fruits and prune juice.

These foods can worsen diarrhea and abdominal cramps, as they are harder to digest and can increase stool bulk. You should also avoid foods that cause gas, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and onions. Instead, you should eat low-fiber, bland foods, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, toast, boiled potatoes, cooked cereals, and crackers. These foods are gentle on the stomach and may help firm up the stool.