Coping with nausea and vomiting
What should I eat if…I feel sick?
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) can be due to your illness or caused by your treatment. This leaflet has been provided to give you some tips on how to cope with nausea and vomiting.
If you are feeling sick
Do not force yourself to eat when you are nauseous (feeling sick). However, it is important to continue to drink plenty of fluids, as this will prevent dehydration.
- Sip slowly on drinks – you may find it helpful to use a straw.
- You may find clear, cold drinks such as water, clear lemonade, or cordial easier to drink or keep down than hot or milky drinks when you are feeling sick.
- Try sipping fizzy drinks such as soda water, ginger beer, or lemonade.
- Herbal, ginger, or peppermint tea may help soothe an upset stomach.
- Solid fluids such as sorbet and jelly may be easier to eat, especially if a sharp flavour such as citrus fruit (only eat if you are not vomiting).
- Sucking on peppermints or boiled sweets can be soothing and stimulate saliva, relieving a dry mouth.
Foods to try
- Dry, bland food first thing in the morning. For example, toast, crackers, or biscuits such as ginger or digestives.
- Salty foods, such as crisps, peanuts, and small cubes of cheese (unless your mouth is sore).
- Scone or teacake eaten dry or with butter and/or jam.
- Sandwiches with plain fillings, such as lean meat.
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Foods containing ginger, such as ginger biscuits or cake.
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Ice cream, fruit sorbets, jelly, milk puddings, yoghurts, and mousses(especially citrus fruit flavours).
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Light, plain meals. For example, plain poultry, meat or fish with plain potato, rice, or pasta.
Start with eating small meals and snacks little and often. Build back up to your normal diet as your nausea improves. If your stomach is empty, it can make you feel more sick. Try to eat regularly.
Tips
- Take your time with eating, sit upright, and avoid lying flat for 30 minutes after eating.
- Try to relax after eating. Avoid activity immediately afterwards, as this will allow your body to start digesting your food.
- Try taking a short walk before eating to improve your appetite and avoid the smell of food cooking.
- Eat in a cool room near an open window, if possible, to reduce the aroma of cooked or strong-smelling foods.
- Eat little and often. Try not to worry about how much or what you are eating.
- Make the most of the good days, and eat foods you enjoy, especially high protein and energy options, such as yoghurt, milk, cheese, and eggs.
- Try having something to drink or eat soon after vomiting, such as an ice lolly to cleanse your mouth and replace fluids and nutrition you have lost.
- Keep your mouth fresh by regularly brushing your teeth, rinsing it with cold water, or using a mouthwash. This will help to remove unpleasant after tastes, especially after vomiting.
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Take the opportunity to prepare food when your nausea is better or not as bad. Use ready meals if the smell of cooking food makes you feel sick.
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If possible, let someone else do the cooking, as the smell of food cooking can increase nausea.
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Have cold, pre-prepared foods to start with, as they have less smell.
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Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes and drinking whilst eating. This will help prevent feelings of fullness and discomfort.
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You may be able to tolerate dry, bland foods better when feeling sick, rather than rich, spicy, or greasy foods.
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Sharp flavours may help. For example, sucking on lemon-flavoured sweets, or choosing lemonade or lemon squash.
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Try having drinks in between meals, rather than with your meals, so that you have more room for food in your stomach.
If your symptoms continue after trying the tips in this leaflet, your dietitian can support you further. If you are not managing to eat, they may prescribe nutritional supplements to support you. Please also tell your nurse or doctor if you have persistent nausea and/or vomiting. Your doctor can prescribe anti-sickness medication (known as antiemetics) to relieve your symptoms.