What to eat when you throw up and have diarrhea

Nausea and vomiting can make you feel miserable. But it's important to remember that these are not diseases. Rather, they are symptoms of many illnesses.

Table of Contents Show

Typical triggers
What to do for nausea
What to do for vomiting
When to seek medical care
For children
What does it mean when you have diarrhea and vomiting at the same time?
When can I eat after vomiting and diarrhea?
What should I eat if I have nausea and vomiting and diarrhea?
What will settle my stomach after vomiting?

Nausea is a feeling of uneasiness in the stomach often tied to an urge to vomit. Nausea doesn't always lead to vomiting, though. Vomiting is the emptying of the contents of the stomach through the mouth.

Typical triggers

These are some of the more common causes of nausea and vomiting:

Gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the digestive tract most often caused by a viral or bacterial infection
Migraine headaches
Motion sickness
Peptic ulcers
Medicines or medical treatments, such as chemotherapy
Hormonal changes, such as those that lead to morning sickness during pregnancy
Food poisoning or food intolerance
Poisons, toxins, or chemicals in the blood, such as alcohol
Head injury
Gallstones
Stress and excitement in children ages 2 to 6

These are less common causes:

Brain tumor
Reye syndrome
Blockage of the bowel
Pancreatitis, or other inflammation in the abdomen such as diverticulitis and appendicitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Delayed stomach emptying
Gynecologic problems
Eating disorder

What to do for nausea

Here are ideas on how to ease nausea:

Drink clear or ice cold beverages.
Sip beverages slowly.
Eat saltine crackers, plain bread, and other bland foods.
Don't eat foods that are fried or sweet.
Eat slowly.
Eat smaller meals.
Wait a while after eating before exercising or doing other vigorous activity.
Don't brush your teeth right after a meal.

If these tips don't ease your nausea, talk with your healthcare provider.

What to do for vomiting

Children become dehydrated more quickly than adults do. If your child is vomiting, ask your healthcare provider how to help your child feel better.

If you are vomiting, try these tips:

Take a break from solid food, even if you feel like eating.
Stay hydrated by sucking on ice chips or frozen fruit pops. Try drinking sips of water, weak tea, clear soft drinks without carbonation, noncaffeinated sports drinks, or broth. Sugary drinks may calm the stomach better than other liquids.
Temporarily stop taking oral medicines. These can make vomiting worse.
Slowly add bland foods. If you've been able to drink some fluids and haven't thrown up for 6 to 8 hours, try eating small amounts of foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, unbuttered toast, dry crackers, or dry cereal.
Once you're back on solid food, eat small meals every few hours. This helps your stomach digest food slowly.
Stay away from strong odors, such as tobacco smoke, perfumes, or cooking smells.
Stay away from dairy products, tobacco, and alcohol. They may irritate your stomach.
Get plenty of rest.

Vomiting that is caused by medicines, surgery, or radiation therapy may be treated by taking a different medicine. Medicines are also available to treat vomiting in pregnancy and other conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider about what’s best for you.

When to seek medical care

For adults

See your healthcare provider if your vomiting doesn't ease with self-care within 24 hours, or if you become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include:

Extreme thirst
Dry mouth
Little or no urination
Dizziness or lightheadedness

See your healthcare provider right away if any of these signs or symptoms occur:

Small amount of blood in the vomit
Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting with fever above 101°F (38°C)
Vomiting with diarrhea

Call 911 or get medical care right away at the nearest emergency department if any of the following occur:

More than a small amount of blood in the vomit
Severe headache or stiff neck
Lethargy
Confusion or decreased alertness
Rapid breathing or pulse

For children

Take your child to the healthcare provider right away if any of these signs or symptoms occur:

Child younger than age 6

Vomiting lasts more than a few hours.
Diarrhea also occurs.
Your child becomes dehydrated.
Your child has a fever above 100°F (37.8°C).
Your child hasn't urinated or wet a diaper in 4 to 6 hours.

Child age 6 and older

Vomiting lasts more than 1 day.
Diarrhea and vomiting last more than 24 hours.
Your child becomes dehydrated.
Your child has a fever above 101°F (38°C).
Your child hasn’t urinated in 6 hours.

What does it mean when you have diarrhea and vomiting at the same time?

Vomiting (throwing up) and diarrhea (watery bowel movements) are common symptoms of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is the inflammation and irritation of the stomach and intestines. Vomiting and diarrhea can be harmful, because they can cause dehydration. Dehydration occurs when you lose too much fluid.

When can I eat after vomiting and diarrhea?

You should be able to start eating a more regular diet, including fruits and vegetables, within about 24 to 48 hours after vomiting or having diarrhea.

What should I eat if I have nausea and vomiting and diarrhea?

Avoid spicy or fatty foods: A blander diet made up of foods such as bananas, rice, applesauce, crackers, or baked potatoes may relieve nausea and decrease the likelihood of an upset stomach. Add protein to your meals: Protein-rich meals may fight nausea better than meals high in fat or carbs (45).

What will settle my stomach after vomiting?

Once you can keep liquid down, you should also try to eat. It's a good idea to start with small amounts of blander foods, such as dry toast, bananas, broth, rice, applesauce, or crackers. This is known as the BRAT diet. Don't force yourself to continue eating if you start to feel nauseous.