By Mr.Luke Coutinho
Adviser of Integrative Lifestyle and Nutrition at Purenutrition.me
All of us have experienced an upset stomach at some points in our lives. Stress, unhygienic food, allergies, parasites, are some of the few reasons which can cause tummy trouble. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburns, and diarrhea.
What to eat during an upset stomach can be a hassle for most of us. We have to be careful regarding our food choices as we do not want to aggravate these symptoms. To make the task of choosing the right food for your upset stomach easy, here are seven tummy-friendly foods that will help ease your upset stomach.
Green Bananas: Bananas are the most nutrient-rich fruit available. It is a rich source of potassium which helps in lowering the pH level of the stomach. Hence, bananas reduce acidity which is a common symptom experienced during an upset stomach. It contains resistant starch which moves through the colon and helps in absorbing excess water in the body, thus reducing symptoms of diarrhea. It also contains sugar which acts as an energy booster.
Seeds: Seeds like cumin, fennel, and carom can be brewed into a tea or churned into a powder and then be consumed to ease an upset stomach. Cumin seeds help in fighting stomach discomfort by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices in the stomach. It is also an efficient painkiller and relieves stomach cramps. Fennel seeds contain phytonutrients which act as an antioxidant and helps in reducing symptoms of gas and bloating. Whereas, carom seeds have antioxidant and antifungal properties which can eliminate the bad bacteria and fungi in your stomach.
Yogurt: Yogurt is rich in probiotics, which reduces symptoms of constipation, bloating, and irregular bowel movement. Yogurt is also responsible for increasing the good bacteria in your gut. Plain yogurt with active cultures is recommended. Flavored yogurt must be avoided as it contains artificial sweeteners which may lead to gastrointestinal problems.
White Rice: White rice contains bland carbohydrates which are easy to digest. When your stomach’s topsy-turvy, white rice is essential for your meals. It absorbs extra fluid and is gentle on the stomach. It contains starch and has low fiber content which reduces diarrhea. The starch firms up and hardens the stool. It is also a source of folate, a water-soluble vitamin, which is good for your stomach. Brown or black rice must be avoided since it is difficult to digest. Rice kanji or rice water also has many health benefits and can alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. It also eases bowel movements. Rice kanji can be prepared by boiling the rice in excess water and then straining that to obtain the liquid.
Papaya: Papaya is a well-known organic remedy for indigestion, stomach ulcer, and bloating. It is a source of proteolytic enzymes such as papain and chymopapain which breaks down food and helps maintain acid balance in the stomach. It aids in regulating the natural digestive processes and helps ease symptoms of an upset stomach like constipation. Although excess consumption may be harmful due to its high fiber content.
Coconut Juice: Symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea during an upset stomach often makes it difficult to consume any solid food. Vomiting and diarrhea also lead to loss of electrolytes. It then becomes essential to restore these minerals in the body. Under such circumstances, coconut juice is recommended. Coconut juice is a rich source of sodium and potassium. It prevents dehydration and restores the fluid balance in the body. It also helps in maintaining the optimum functioning of the nervous system. In addition, it helps in preventing stomach ulcers by eliminating the bad bacteria present in your stomach. The kernel of the coconut is also good for the stomach as it helps in regulating blood flow to the stomach lining.
Peppermint tea: Often termed as the ‘stomach healer’, peppermint tea can ease a multitude of your stomach grievances. It helps in reducing stomach cramps, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, indigestion and gas. It also contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Fasting can also be an effective technique to detoxify your body. During fasting, the enzyme system of the body can effectively focus on the breakdown on toxins without having to digest heavy food. Besides having these amazing foods that aid your stomach, stay away from raw food such as salad, caffeine from tea and copy, white sugar, carbonated beverages, milk, fried and other foods that have saturated fats, processed items that have artificial color and preservatives, and spicy food. All of these cause inflammations in the stomach that aggravates the issues of digestion further.