The end of 2012 has come and gone. I had a bevy of posts planned but I fell sick again, just like I did last year. This time the culprit was food poisoning. (Or possibly the stomach flu but the symptoms were the same.) Organizing the kitchen, installing a shed and seeing friends during my planned long weekend fell by the wayside.
If the words ‘food poisoning’ instinctually make you go the next item on your reading list, I counter it with this argument. If I talk about food all the time, isn’t talk about the ill effects of food the logical next step??
I can’t exactly pinpoint what was my undoing (I’m looking at you, gumbo), nor will I go into the details of the symptoms I experienced in this latest bout (yuck). This post is dealing consequences of food poisoning. How do you get over it? And what can you eat?
Doing some dire research while lying in bed as I contemplate whether to go ahead and vomit pointed me to the B.R.A.T. diet, which stands for bananas, rice, apples and toast. They’re simple foods that any sensitive stomach could process and they all have some, um, binding properties. And when you’re under the weather with nothing but the toilet standing in the way of good health, absolutely nothing looks good except maybe these foods as well as lots of fluids.
I also added a probiotic drink to bring the levels of good bacteria in the stomach back to normal. Yakult has been my go-to drink lately but GoodBelly is another good choice I’ve used in the past. Research also points that probiotics can be found naturally in yogurt and fermented foods. Yogurt seems like a natural addition; anything pickled sounds just too nasty. But that’s just my personal preference.
Someone also mentioned to me the benefits of taking grapefruit seed extract once you feel that uncomfortable, queasy feeling. But even with their antiseptic properties, taking only one dose left me feeling worse. Individual results may vary.
If all goes well, three days should get you back to 100%. And if you have the compulsion to stray away from the diet earlier than normal, be forwarned about setbacks that may lead you back to step 1. Now if only I can get over this durn cold that’s been going around…
My Burning Kitchen 
Oof… stomach ailments are the worst. I usually end up on a diet of peanut butter toast and honey. And lots of tea, also with honey.
As for colds, I’ve found a strict regimen of echinacea, Emergen-C, and hot tea with lemon (and honey!) knocks my mild colds out in just a few days. Hope you’re back to fighting shape soon – that shed won’t build itself!
Great advice! I’ll try PB next time so there’s something with more substance in my stomach. Hopefully there won’t be a next time!! (Knock on wood.)
Fortunately the food poisoning and the cold was a few weeks ago. I’m just dealing with the aftermath of the cold which is a lingering cough. I’m really blaming the cold weather here in San Diego.
Ugh, food poisoning is never, ever fun. I think after I had it once I stuck to eating rice and chicken broth. I’ve got a terrible cough, too – got sick two months in the last month! I also blame the very cold weather we’re having. Get better soon!
I like your combo of rice and chicken broth. Substantial and easy to digest.
Hope your cough improves! Mine has been with me for a week now AND I blame this unusual weather too. Boo!
I am pretty sure I had food poisoning last week. Or a stomach virus. I was fine Monday morning and by the afternoon, I was home sick with a fever! I’m going to have to keep the B.R.A.T. diet in mind next time. Nothing at my house was looking appetizing. Didn’t eat for almost 24 hours! Feel better.
There does seem to be the stomach flu going around and 24 hours is a long time not to eat! Hope you’re feeling better!
Ewww, there is nothing worse than food poisoning. Even worse is when you’re sitting down spewing at both ends. Wait, did I just type that? Ha ha! Let’s put it this way, NEVER eat at Young’s Sushi in Bonita!
I hope you are feeling better!!! Get well soon!