The most important thing to do is to stay hydrated and replace electrolytes during a viral gastroenteritis attack, so drink plenty of fluids throughout the day in the form of small, frequent sips.
During the acute phase of viral gastroenteritis (diarrhoea, vomitting etc), stop eating solid foods for a few hours to let your stomach settle.
You can gradually ease back into eating once you are a bit more settled, with bland and easy to digest food. This includes:
- Bananas
- Crackers
- Chicken
- Potatoes
- Toast
- Clear soup broth
Certain foods should be avoided as they can make you feel more nauseous or upset your stomach/cause more diarrhoea:
- Diary products
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Fatty foods
- Sugary foods
Once your appetite returns, you can go back to eating your normal diet, even if you still have diarrhea.
