What to Eat or Drink (And Avoid) After Vomiting

Key takeaways:

• After vomiting, it’s important to start with light, bland foods that are easy on your stomach to help it recover.
• Staying hydrated is crucial, but avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks as they can upset your stomach even more.
• Certain foods, like spicy or acidic options, can make your stomach worse, so it’s best to avoid them until you’re fully recovered.

Vomiting can leave you feeling weak and queasy, and it’s normal to be unsure about what you should eat or drink next. After your stomach has settled, it’s important to reintroduce food gradually to help prevent further discomfort.

In this article, we’ll explore the best and worst things to eat or drink after vomiting and provide tips to help you recover smoothly.

Best things to eat or drink after vomiting

After vomiting, your stomach and digestive system need time to settle and recover. Start with small amounts of easy-to-digest liquids and foods to give your body the nutrients it needs while avoiding further irritation.

Clear liquids

Start by sipping small amounts of clear liquids to stay hydrated. Water is the best option, but broth or herbal teas (like ginger or chamomile) can also provide hydration while soothing your stomach.

Electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte or diluted sports drinks are especially useful if you’ve been vomiting frequently, as they help replenish lost minerals like sodium and potassium. These minerals are vital for maintaining proper hydration and preventing dehydration.

Broth-based soups

Simple broth-based soups are gentle on your digestive system and offer hydration without being too heavy.

Chicken or vegetable broth provides some nutrients while being easy to digest. The warmth of the broth can help calm your stomach, and the light salt content in broth can help restore sodium levels that may have been lost during vomiting.

Bananas

Bananas are a great choice after vomiting because they are rich in potassium, an essential electrolyte that is often depleted after vomiting.

They are also soft, easy to digest, and gentle on the stomach. Bananas provide a source of natural sugar, giving your body a bit of energy without overwhelming your digestive system. Plus, their fiber content helps promote healthy digestion.

Plain toast or crackers

Bland carbohydrates like plain toast or crackers are excellent for easing back into eating solid food.

They are gentle on the stomach, easy to digest, and can help absorb excess stomach acid, which may reduce nausea. Choose plain, unsalted crackers or lightly toasted bread to avoid irritating your stomach. These simple carbs provide a mild source of energy while being unlikely to cause further discomfort.

Applesauce

Applesauce is another mild, easy-to-digest food that can be a good choice after vomiting.

It contains pectin, a soluble fiber that can help regulate digestion and firm up stools if diarrhea is present. Applesauce also provides a touch of natural sweetness, offering a gentle energy boost without being too harsh on your stomach. Opt for unsweetened applesauce to avoid added sugars, which could irritate your stomach.

Rice or oatmeal

Grains like plain rice or oatmeal are excellent options for after clear liquids when transitioning back to solid foods.

Both rice and oatmeal are bland, soft, and easy to digest. They help settle your stomach and provide a source of carbohydrates for energy without overwhelming your digestive system. Plain, cooked white rice or lightly salted oatmeal are ideal choices when your stomach is still sensitive.

Avoid adding butter or milk until your stomach is fully settled.

Worst things to eat or drink after vomiting

While you may feel hungry after vomiting, certain foods and drinks can irritate the stomach and delay recovery. It’s important to avoid anything that may trigger further nausea or disrupt your body’s healing process.

Spicy foods

Spicy foods, such as hot peppers, chili, or curry, can further irritate the lining of your stomach after vomiting.

Your stomach lining is already sensitive from the acid exposure during vomiting, and spicy foods can increase inflammation, trigger nausea, or even cause heartburn. Spices can also stimulate excess acid production, which can lead to discomfort or make it harder for your digestive system to calm down.

Caffeine or alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol should be avoided after vomiting, as they can dehydrate the body and irritate the stomach.

Caffeine, found in coffee, energy drinks, and some sodas, stimulates the production of stomach acid, which can worsen any remaining discomfort or nausea. Alcohol is also a diuretic, meaning it causes your body to lose more fluids, worsening dehydration—a common issue after vomiting. Additionally, alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, making it harder for your body to recover.

Acidic foods

Acidic foods, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, or their juices (like orange juice or lemon juice), can aggravate your stomach after vomiting.

These foods increase the production of stomach acid, which may lead to further irritation or trigger nausea again. The acid can also irritate any inflammation in the esophagus, especially if you’ve vomited bile or had acid reflux.

Dairy products

Dairy products, including milk, cheese, and yogurt, may be difficult to digest after vomiting.

For some people, lactose (the sugar found in dairy) becomes harder to break down when the digestive system is weakened. This can lead to bloating, cramps, or additional nausea. Even though yogurt is often considered a good source of probiotics, it’s best to avoid dairy right after vomiting until your stomach has fully settled.

Fried or greasy foods

Foods that are fried or high in fat, such as french fries, fried chicken, or fast food, are much harder for the body to digest, especially after vomiting.

High-fat foods stay in the stomach longer and can increase nausea or make you feel sluggish. They also trigger the production of bile, which can aggravate your stomach lining further, especially if you’ve already vomited bile.

Sugary foods or drinks

Sugary foods, like candy, cakes, and sodas, should be avoided after vomiting because the high sugar content can upset your stomach.

Sugary drinks can cause a quick spike in blood sugar, followed by an energy crash, which may increase feelings of nausea or fatigue. Excess sugar can also lead to further dehydration, especially if you consume sugary sodas or fruit drinks that lack any real hydration benefits.

Artificial sweeteners

Avoid foods or drinks with artificial sweeteners like sorbitol, aspartame, or sucralose after vomiting.

These sweeteners are harder for the body to digest and can lead to bloating, cramps, or diarrhea, all of which can worsen your recovery process. Sugar-free candies, diet sodas, and sugar-free gum often contain these sweeteners and should be avoided until your digestive system has fully recovered.

Food and drink considerations based on another condition or situation

Different underlying causes for vomiting may require specific dietary adjustments. Here are a few examples:

Food or drink after vomiting from acid reflux

For those prone to acid reflux, it’s best to avoid acidic and spicy foods, as they can trigger further heartburn. Stick to non-acidic, bland foods like toast, crackers, or bananas, and consider drinking ginger tea to help soothe the stomach.

Food or drink after vomiting bile

Vomiting bile usually happens when your stomach is empty, and it may result from acid reflux, dehydration, or repeated vomiting.

After vomiting bile, it’s important to start rehydrating with small sips of water or an electrolyte drink. Once your stomach settles, eat bland foods like toast, oatmeal, or plain rice to prevent further bile irritation. Avoid acidic or fatty foods, as they can aggravate bile production.

Food or drink after vomiting due to indigestion

For cases of indigestion, focus on light meals with foods like rice, oatmeal, or bananas. Avoid large portions and heavy meals, which can overwhelm your stomach. Small, frequent meals can help ease discomfort and allow your digestive system to recover.

Food or drink after vomiting from alcohol consumption

Alcohol can irritate the stomach lining and cause dehydration, so the first step after vomiting from alcohol is rehydration.

Start with small sips of water or an electrolyte drink to replace lost fluids. Avoid acidic or sugary drinks, as well as caffeine. Once you’re ready for food, stick to bland options like crackers or bananas. Avoid greasy or spicy foods, which may further upset your stomach.

Food or drink after vomiting from a migraine

After vomiting caused by a migraine, rehydration is crucial. Start with water or an electrolyte drink, and then move on to bland foods like crackers or toast. Ginger tea can also be helpful for settling the stomach and preventing further nausea.

When to see a doctor after you vomit and can’t keep food or drinks down

Vomiting is usually temporary, but if you’re unable to keep any food or liquids down, it could lead to dehydration or signal a more serious issue. Knowing when to seek medical attention is important to avoid complications.

You should see a doctor if:

• Vomiting lasts longer than 24-48 hours and prevents you from keeping down fluids or food.
• You experience signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, dizziness, or little to no urination.
• Vomiting is accompanied by a high fever, severe stomach pain, or headache.
• You have persistent nausea or vomiting after trying home remedies, and the symptoms aren't improving.
• Vomiting occurs after a head injury or is paired with confusion or vision changes.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You vomit large amounts of blood or notice black, tarry stools (a sign of internal bleeding).
• You experience severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or chest pain.
• There are signs of shock, including pale skin, a rapid heartbeat, or feeling faint or dizzy.
• Vomiting is severe, persistent, and accompanied by symptoms like extreme weakness, confusion, or inability to stay awake.

Managing your diet after vomiting

After vomiting, your body needs time to recover, and the right food and drink choices can make a big difference. Focus on hydration first, with small sips of water or electrolyte drinks. Gradually reintroduce bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, toast, and broth. Avoid spicy, greasy, or acidic foods that could irritate your stomach. If vomiting persists or is accompanied by severe symptoms, be sure to seek medical care to avoid complications like dehydration.

By following these guidelines, you can help your body recover more comfortably and prevent further episodes of nausea or vomiting.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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