TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Food poisoning generally occurs when your food or beverages are contaminated by pathogens. According to Mayo Clinic, food poisoning can trigger dehydration, complications of systemic diseases, pain in joints, and irritable bowels.
After experiencing food poisoning, the intestines become more vulnerable and sensitive due to the loss of good bacteria. Common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
The following are the foods and drinks that are recommended to be consumed after food poisoning.
1. Electrolyte drinks
Citing Healthline, the body will greatly need electrolytes to stay well-hydrated after food poisoning. This is because vomiting and diarrhea due to food poisoning cause the body to lose fluid and become dehydrated.
Some electrolyte-rich drinks that are recommended for consumption include sports drinks, non-caffeinated soda, non-caffeinated ginger drinks, and chicken or vegetable broth.
2. Soft foods
After experiencing food poisoning, a person is advised to consume soft foods to facilitate the intestines in digesting and processing food. It is also recommended to eat bland, low-fat, and low-fiber foods because fatty foods are harder to digest, especially after food poisoning.
Some recommended foods are bananas, cereals, egg whites, honey, jelly, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and plain rice.
3. Probiotics
Furthermore, probiotic supplements can help the body regenerate lost healthy bacteria due to food poisoning. In turn, this helps restore the digestive system and immune system after food poisoning.
What to Avoid After Food Poisoning
The digestive system becomes more vulnerable than usual after experiencing food poisoning. Therefore, it is advised to avoid consuming the following three types of drinks:
1. Caffeine
As reported by Goodrx Health, caffeinated drinks can trigger a lot of movement and cramping in the intestines, potentially worsening digestive discomfort and causing prolonged diarrhea.
2. Alcohol
After food poisoning, it is highly recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol for at least one week, due to the discomfort alcohol can cause in the bowel movements.
3. Sweetened bottled drinks
Artificial sweeteners in bottled drinks are hard to digest. The intestines may be more sensitive to these types of drinks after food poisoning.