What are the best foods to consume for alleviating gastrointestinal (GI) upset?

From the Guidelines

For an upset stomach, a low FODMAP diet is currently the most evidence-based dietary treatment choice, as it has been found to reduce overall and individual symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 1. This diet consists of three phases: restriction, reintroduction of FODMAP foods, and personalization based on results from reintroduction. Some key points to consider when implementing a low FODMAP diet include:

• Starting with a restriction phase that lasts no more than 4-6 weeks
• Reintroducing FODMAP foods one at a time to assess tolerance
• Personalizing the diet based on individual tolerance and symptoms
• Working with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to ensure proper implementation and monitoring In addition to a low FODMAP diet, other dietary approaches may be beneficial for an upset stomach, such as:
• Increasing soluble fiber intake, which can help improve overall symptoms of IBS, particularly in those with IBS-C 1
• Avoiding spicy, fatty, or dairy-rich foods, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, which can worsen symptoms
• Staying hydrated with small sips of water or electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte It's also important to note that if symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, are accompanied by severe pain, high fever, or bloody stools, seeking medical attention is necessary as these could indicate a more serious condition.

From the Research

Food to Settle an Upset Stomach

There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on the comparison of antiemetic medications such as ondansetron and metoclopramide in preventing nausea and vomiting in various medical contexts, including pregnancy, renal colic, chemotherapy, and postoperative care 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Antiemetic Medications

• Ondansetron and metoclopramide are commonly used antiemetic medications to prevent nausea and vomiting 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• Studies have compared the efficacy of ondansetron and metoclopramide in various medical contexts, with some showing ondansetron to be more effective in preventing vomiting 3, 4.
• Other studies have found both medications to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, with no significant difference between them 5, 6.

Medical Contexts

• Nausea and vomiting can occur in various medical contexts, including pregnancy 2, renal colic 3, chemotherapy 4, and postoperative care 5, 6.
• The choice of antiemetic medication may depend on the specific medical context and individual patient needs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.