You have a high chance of contracting food poisoning after eating undercooked or improperly stored foods. Once you do, there’s no way of stopping it; all you can do is be patient and focus on recovery.
On average, food poisoning can last between a day to a week, but you want to start feeling better right away. So, here are a couple of tips you should know to swiftly recover from food poisoning. Have a bucket, a water bottle, and extra blankets nearby; you’re going to need them.
Stay Hydrated
When you contract food poisoning, a tip to swiftly recover is by staying hydrated. When you’re constantly making trips to the bathroom, your body loses fluids, so it’s important to replenish them.
In between your bathroom trips, drink plenty of water. However, keep your sips relatively small as ingesting too much liquid too quickly can trigger your stomach. Take sips every 10 to 15 minutes to stay hydrated and prevent excessive bathroom visits.
Eat Bland and Easy Foods
When your stomach and intestines are irritated, you want to eat foods that are easy to digest. Stick to foods such as:
- Bananas
- Well-cooked rice
- Pureed soups
- Toast
- Saltine crackers
Try to avoid dairy, fatty foods, spicy foods, and caffeine. These can quickly irritate your stomach further and make your recovery last longer. It’s important to follow a post-poisoning diet to recover quickly.
Get Lots of Rest
The one thing you should focus on the most is getting enough rest. With your body processing so much, you’re going to feel exhausted. You’ll potentially feel other symptoms such as headaches, fevers, and muscle aches.
Don’t do anything too strenuous, and focus on allowing your body to rest. Take plenty of naps, do some light reading, sit in a warm bath, and watch your favorite TV show. It’ll help your recovery go by quicker.
Stay Out of the Sun
Did you know the sun can hinder your recovery? Exposing yourself to the heat and sun can make you more dehydrated and cause your body to overwork itself. Because it’s working to fight an infection, you also don’t want it to go overboard by trying to keep you cool.
Let Your Body Process It
Trying to stop your body from experiencing more pain and discomfort can be tempting. However, the last thing you want is to prevent your body from trying to remove bacteria and contaminated food from your gut. So, let your body go through the motions, and you’ll recover faster.
Food poisoning is never a fun experience to endure. Remember to stay patient and sleep whenever you can; it will not only make the time go by faster but also allow your body to focus on recovery.
