Even when you feel icky, your body still needs hydration.
Heres how to get itand start to feel better faster.
Ugh, weve all been there.
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Officially known as viral gastroenteritis, the stomach flu is an infection of your intestines.
In the U.S., there are approximately 20 million cases of viral gastroenteritis each year.
At this time, you’ve got the option to feel drained anddehydrated.
So whats going on?
What to Eat and Drink for Hydration When You Have the Stomach Flu
1.
Look for one that contains major electrolytes like sodium, potassium and chloride, along with sugar.
These components are often lost through diarrhea, vomiting and fever, and need to be replaced.
Soup
Theres nothing like a soothing, hot bowl of soup, says Taub-Dix.
We couldnt agree more.
Opt for a low-fat, broth-based soup such as ourClassic Chicken SouporInstant Pot Vegetable Soup.
These soups are gentle on the stomach and can replenish lost fluid and electrolytes.
They also contain vitamins and minerals that can support your immune system and promote recovery.
Save these soups for when youre feeling like yourself again.
Broth
If your stomach is feeling too queasy to handle solid food, start by sipping some broth.
Broth is similar to an electrolyte drink as it contains both electrolytes and fluid.
Choose fromvegetable, chicken, turkey or beef broth.
For bone broth recommendations, check out our list of the7 Best Bone Broths.
Tea
A cup of tea is one of the most soothing beveragesand a great hydrator.
When youre not feeling well, you may be more drawn to warm liquids than those on ice.
This makes it a great choice for hydration while youre recovering.
The Best Way to Stay Hydrated
Youre tired, groggy and feeling queasy.
Keeping up with your fluid intake is key to helping you recover as quickly as possible.
Grab water, electrolyte drinks, bone broth and tea before you hit the couch.
Focus on taking small, frequent sips of liquids throughout the day to stay hydrated and support fast recovery.
As always, seek medical attention if your symptoms worsen or dont improve.
Stick to a hydration schedule of drinking liquids every 30 minutes, if possible.
Sip through a straw rather than drinking from an open cup.
Full recovery from dehydration may take a few days, depending on how much fluid was lost.
Most people will show improvement within a few hours to a day if hydrating consistently.
Dehydration can worsen symptoms of the stomach flu.
Sipping fluids and consuming electrolytes is important to reverse dehydration and not prolong the illness.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & Facts for Viral Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu).
2010;20(5):427-442. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.20.5.427
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FoodData Central.Organic Chicken Bone Broth, Chicken Bone Broth.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
FoodData Central.Applesauce, unsweetened.
