Diet for Vomiting or Diarrhea (Adult)

During the first 12 to 24 hours

During the first 12 to 24 hours, follow this diet:

• Drinks. Have plain water, sports drinks (like electrolyte solutions), drinks without caffeine, mineral water (plain or flavored), and clear fruit juices. Don't have drinks with caffeine or citrus juices. This is because they are high in acid and can irritate your stomach.

• Soups. Have clear broth.

• Desserts. Have plain gelatin, frozen ice pops, and fruit juice bars without pieces of fruit. As you feel better, you may add 6 to 8 ounces of yogurt per day. If you have diarrhea, don't have foods or drinks with sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or sugar alcohols.

During the next 24 hours

During the next 24 hours, you may add these to the above:

• Hot cereal, plain toast, bread, rolls, and crackers

• Plain noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, and chicken noodle or rice soup

• Unsweetened canned fruit (not pineapple) and bananas

Don't eat more than 15 grams of fat a day. Do this by staying away from margarine, butter, oils, mayonnaise, sauces, gravies, fried foods, peanut butter, meat, poultry, and fish.

Don't eat much fiber. Stay away from raw or cooked vegetables, fresh fruits (except bananas), and bran cereals.

Limit how much caffeine and chocolate you have. Don't use any spices or seasonings except salt.

During the next 24 hours

Slowly go back to your normal diet, as you feel better and your symptoms ease.