Food poisoning struck. What should you eat, drink, and take to feel better?

Every year, there are over 850 million cases of food poisoning worldwide. It occurs when you eat or drink contaminated food or beverages, and most people know the telltale signs. Sometimes, it starts with waves of nausea and vomiting. Other times, belly cramps and diarrhea seem to come out of nowhere. Most of the time, the symptoms are short lived — but those few days can be miserable.

Here, GoodRx, a platform for medication savings, reviews food poisoning treatments to help speed up your recovery, and shares what signs to look for that suggest home treatment isn’t enough.

Key takeaways

• Food poisoning is common, especially in warmer months. It can be tough for the few days you’re sick, but most people make a full recovery at home.
• The main treatment for food poisoning is hydration, which you can do at home with some helpful tips. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can also help with symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
• Some people develop a more severe case of food poisoning or get really dehydrated. In these instances, there are signs to help you decide if you need medical attention.

The best home remedies for food poisoning

Food poisoning is caused by an infection in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The main focus of treatment is to keep your body running while the infection runs its course. This usually means staying hydrated by replenishing the fluids and electrolytes you’re losing.

Let’s look at some of the best ways to treat food poisoning at home.

Stay hydrated

When you have vomiting or diarrhea, your body is losing more than just water. It’s also losing important electrolytes like sodium and potassium. So, it’s important to choose drinks that also replenish these vital nutrients. Clear liquids — especially those with salt and a little bit of sugar — are the best things to drink when you’re sick.

What to drink when you have food poisoning

To stay hydrated, you can drink:

• Oral rehydration fluids: These include drinks that are specially formulated to keep you hydrated — like Ceralyte, Pedialyte, and Oralyte. Many people will reach for sports drinks first, but these are less ideal. They often have too much sugar and too few electrolytes. Liquids with a lot of sugar can make diarrhea worse.
• Broth: Broth tends to be high in salt and low in sugar. That makes it a great choice to help keep you hydrated. And you may find savory liquids more soothing and appealing than sweeter ones.
• Clear, watered-down juice: A mix of half juice and half water can be great. Watering down the juice can help it taste good without worsening your symptoms. Stick with clear juices — like apple or cranberry juice. Juices with pulp are harder to digest.
• Popsicles: These are another great way to get some liquids, especially for kids. Sometimes, the cold can feel soothing. You can even make your own by freezing juices or sports drinks.

How to keep liquids down

Choosing the right liquids is only half the battle. Here are some tips to keep those liquids down:

• Take small sips often. Remember to drink frequently. Taking a few sips every few minutes can be as good as getting intravenous (IV) fluids. Small sips are easier on your stomach. Avoid the temptation to take large gulps between waves of nausea.
• Keep drinking even if you’re vomiting. If you’re throwing up, you may think drinking fluids is a lost cause. But a little persistence can go a long way. While it may feel like you threw everything up, you’ll often retain more fluids than you think.
• Try different liquids. You may prefer a particular drink over another. But rotating between different juices or broths helps your body get a mix of electrolytes. 

Ease back into eating

It’s best not to eat solid foods until you can drink clear liquids without throwing up for at least six hours. Once you reach that benchmark, start with bland, low-fiber foods. These tend to be easier to digest, especially when your gut isn’t at its best.

Foods to eat after food poisoning

Here are examples of what to eat after food poisoning:

• Plain breads or crackers
• Bananas
• Plain potatoes or rice
• Plain pasta

In the past, the BRAT diet was recommended: bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. But many experts find this diet to be too restrictive. So, you shouldn’t feel limited to these foods. And don’t try to force them down if they don’t agree with you.

Even as you’re feeling better and able to eat more foods, it’s important to continue drinking fluids. This will help restore all of your fluid losses and help you feel better.

Over-the-counter medications to help with food poisoning

Hydration and easing back into eating are the cornerstones of food poisoning treatment. But there are many OTC food poisoning medications that can help with your recovery. Here’s what to take for food poisoning symptoms:

• Nausea medications: Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) or meclizine (Bonine) are for motion sickness. But they may help with mild nausea.
• Loperamide (Imodium): Loperamide is an antidiarrheal medication that helps slow down your gut. This can mean fewer episodes of diarrhea. Follow the instructions to avoid taking too much. You should avoid this medication if you have bloody diarrhea or fever. Also, this medication isn’t for children under 12.
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol): Many people wonder if Pepto-Bismol helps with food poisoning. It can help with both nausea and diarrhea. But because of the aspirin content, it’s not recommended for children under 12.
• Fever medications: Fever can cause body aches or headaches. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can help.
• Probiotics: These “good bacteria” supplements might help decrease how long you have diarrhea. But scientists are still studying whether probiotics help specifically with food poisoning. In general, they may be more helpful for prevention than treatment.

How do doctors treat food poisoning?

Most people can safely recover from food poisoning at home. But if your symptoms are severe, you may need to see a healthcare professional or head to the emergency room (ER). If that’s the case, there are several treatment options to help you feel better:

• IV fluids: While taking small, frequent sips of liquids at home can be very effective, severe dehydration or persistent vomiting might require a more direct approach. IV fluids allow you to get large amounts of fluid and essential electrolytes directly through your veins to rehydrate your body quickly.
• Prescription anti-nausea medications: If OTC options aren't providing relief, a healthcare professional can prescribe a stronger nausea medication to help settle your stomach.
• Antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs: Most people don’t need antibiotics to treat food poisoning. However, if a healthcare professional confirms your illness is caused by a specific bacteria or parasite, they might prescribe a targeted medication.

How to prevent food poisoning

Food poisoning happens when you consume food or drinks contaminated with harmful germs. You can significantly lower your risk by practicing four pillars of food safety at home:

• Keep everything clean: Wash your hands, utensils, and countertops frequently with hot, soapy water, especially before eating or cooking and after handling raw food. Always rinse fresh produce under running water before eating.
• Keep it separate: Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs completely away from ready-to-eat foods like produce and bread. Use separate cutting boards and plates to avoid cross-contamination.
• Cook thoroughly: Use a food thermometer to ensure food reaches a safe internal temperature to kill off germs (145 degrees F for whole cuts of meat, 160 degrees F for ground meats, and 165 degrees F for poultry and reheated leftovers).
• Chill to preserve: Refrigerate leftovers and perishable items within two hours of cooking (or within one hour if it’s warmer than 90 degrees F outside). Keep your refrigerator set to 40 degrees F or below.

When to seek medical attention

Most people make a full recovery from food poisoning without seeing a healthcare professional. But some people are at a higher risk of developing a more severe illness. These groups include:

• Children under 5
• Older adults, especially those over 65
• People with conditions that affect their immune system (such as HIV, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes)

If you fall into one of the above groups, it’s a good idea to talk with your primary care provider — even if you feel like you’re doing fine at home. They can help check your symptoms and run some tests to make sure you’re OK.

Even though most people don’t need antibiotics for treatment, this isn’t true for everyone. Some people — like those with a weaker immune system — may need them to fight off the infection.

But whether or not you’re in a high-risk category, you should go to the ER if you develop any of the following symptoms:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Bloody stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent, uncontrolled vomiting
• Difficulty staying awake or confusion 

Frequently asked questions

How long does food poisoning last?

The duration of food poisoning varies. It depends on the specific pathogen causing your illness. And it depends on your health too. Most cases of food poisoning last between one and three days. Bacterial infections tend to last a little longer than viruses. And they may take a week or more to get better.

How long does it take food poisoning to kick in?

Food poisoning kicks in pretty quickly — usually within a few hours of eating contaminated food. It may even start quicker than this if the poisoning is caused by a toxin rather than the bacteria itself. Examples of bacteria that can produce toxins in food include:

• Staphylococcus
• Bacillus
• Clostridium botulinum

Is food poisoning contagious?

Yes, food poisoning can be contagious. The bacteria and viruses that contaminate food can also be spread from person to person. So, when someone has food poisoning, it’s best to avoid direct contact with them or shared surfaces. And be sure to wash your hands before and after preparing any food or eating.

The bottom line

Food poisoning comes on quickly. It can take you from feeling fine to miserable within a matter of hours. The best way to take care of yourself is to focus on hydration. Small, frequent sips of electrolyte-rich fluids will go a long way in helping your body recover. Most people make a swift recovery. But more serious cases can still happen. So, when in doubt, seek medical attention at your nearest emergency room.

This story was produced by GoodRx and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.