Food poisoning is an unfortunate yet common ailment, affecting approximately 600 million people globally every year. Unsafe food consumption has emerged as a significant threat to human health, far surpassing the days when plague or tuberculosis were the leading causes of mortality.
Today, diet plays a critical role in overall health, and what we consume can significantly impact our well-being. While food poisoning is typically not severe, it can cause considerable discomfort and distress. Certain people recover without treatment in a few days, but knowing what to eat during this period can hasten recovery.
Which Indian foods to eat for fast recovery from food poisoning?
Leading dietitian in Delhi for gastrointestinal health, Avni Kaul, offers some insights on the best foods to aid in a quick recovery from food poisoning.
Hydration – Since food poisoning causes your body to lose a significant amount of fluids and electrolytes through vomiting and diarrhoea, rehydration is crucial for a speedy recovery.
While water is beneficial, it doesn’t contain the necessary salts to fully replenish electrolytes. Here are some better hydration options:
- Ice chips or small sips of water: These can help manage dehydration, especially if you are still experiencing nausea.
- Oral rehydration solutions: These specially formulated drinks contain the right balance of salt and sugar to aid hydration. Unlike, sports drinks, which often have excessive sugar and insufficient salt, oral rehydration solutions are more effective.
- Broth: Savory broths are soothing and excellent for hydration due to their salt content.
- Watered-down juice: Clear juices like apple or cranberry can be appealing. Diluting them with water reduces sugar content, making them easier to digest and less likely to worsen diarrhoea. Avoid juices with pulp, as they can be harder to process.
By choosing the right hydration options, you can help your body recover more quickly from food poisoning. Make sure to avoid certain drinks after food poisoning such as caffeinated beverages, that can increase gut cramping and diarrhea, worsening discomfort.
Hard drinks can lead to heartburn and further digestive issues, so it is best to steer clear for a week. Additionally, diet drinks contain artificial sweeteners that may irritate a sensitive stomach post-illness.
Follow a BRAT Diet
Even if bland food isn’t your preference, the BRAT diet—consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—is highly recommended for recovering from food poisoning.
These foods are easy to digest and low in fat and fibre, helping to bind stools and reduce diarrhea. Bananas, rich in potassium, aid in replenishing lost electrolytes. However, it is advisable to follow this diet for only a few days due to its limited protein and fibre content, ensuring a balanced recovery without prolonged nutritional deficiencies.
Probiotics – If you want a quick recovery from food poisoning, adding probiotics to your meals can be highly beneficial. Probiotics are helpful bacteria that support digestion and can restore the balance of gut flora disrupted by food poisoning.
By consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha, you introduce live cultures that help replenish beneficial bacteria in your gut. This restoration not only aids in recovery from gastrointestinal infections but also contributes to a healthier digestive system, potentially protecting you from future food poisoning episodes. Incorporating these foods into your diet can significantly enhance your overall gut health during recovery.
Ginger – Did you know that ginger has long been celebrated as a natural remedy for gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and vomiting?
Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties help soothe the digestive system, making it effective in alleviating symptoms of food poisoning. To harness its benefits, you can prepare ginger tea by steeping fresh ginger slices in hot water for a few minutes, or simply boil a cup of water with about one spoon of grated ginger.
Adding honey or sugar to taste enhances the flavour. Sipping ginger tea throughout the day not only eases nausea but also promotes digestion, and for a quick boost, you can chew on pieces of ginger directly for fast recovery.
Herbs – Common herbs like basil and peppermint are effective allies in recovering from food poisoning due to their natural healing properties. Basil, or tulsi, boasts anti-inflammatory benefits that positively impact the digestive tract and help restore the body’s pH balance.
Consuming basil juice with honey or incorporating basil oil into your water can provide soothing relief. Similarly, peppermint contains antispasmodic properties that relax the digestive muscles, alleviating symptoms such as nausea and stomach cramps.
Drinking peppermint tea or consuming peppermint candies can effectively ease an upset stomach. Together, these herbs promote faster recovery by addressing inflammation and supporting digestive health during food poisoning.
Finally, you can say goodbye to the discomfort of food poisoning by focusing on proper hydration, following a BRAT diet, incorporating probiotics, and utilizing natural remedies like ginger and herbs. These strategies will support your recovery and help restore your digestive health, ensuring a quicker return to wellness.
