Eating Healthy When You Have Nausea/Vomiting

Nausea may be caused by the medicines you are taking or by infections in your body.

Some ideas to try when you have nausea:

• Don't skip meals! Not only does your body need food, but skipping meals will probably make you feel even worse.
• Eat small amounts of food often during the day. Try watching the clock and eating something every 2 to 3 hours. Eat more food at times of the day when you feel good.
• Don't eat your favorite foods when you are nauseated. This could cause you to be "turned off" by them later.
• Eat salty foods but avoid very sweet foods.
• Eat dry foods such as toast, crackers or dry cereals right from the box. This is especially good to do soon after waking up in the morning.
• Plain, simple foods are best to eat now. Try these: soups, puddings and custards, ice cream, rice, macaroni, noodles, toast, yogurt, soft-cooked eggs, cream of wheat, farina, oatmeal, bananas, canned fruit, mashed potatoes, crackers, cottage cheese and fruit, eggs.
• Stay away from fried and greasy foods. Use only small amounts of margarine, butter, cream or oil in your food.
• Do not drink liquids at the same time that you eat your meals. Drink them 30 to 60 minutes before or after eating.
• Sometimes just the smell of food can make you feel sick. Open the windows for some fresh air. Avoid making foods that will produce a strong smell in your home, like brewing coffee, frying meats or fish, or cooking spaghetti sauce or chili.
• Do not lie down flat for at least 2 hours after eating. If you wish to rest, sit down. If you must lay down after eating, prop your head up at least 4 inches higher than your feet.
• Some medicines cause nausea. If possible, take them at a time of day when nausea will not interfere with meals.