| Nausea and Vomiting
GMHC'S Nutrition & Wellness Program
Some Causes of Nausea and Vomiting
- Medications
- Presence of infection
- Radiation or chemotherapy Treatment
Contact Your Physician If:
- You have been vomiting for more than one day
- You think a new medicine is the problem
- You have projectile or bloody vomiting
- You are losing weight
General Tips to Help Manage Nausea and Vomiting
- If your medications cause nausea, try taking them at a time
of day when nausea will not interfere with your meals.
- If you are being treated with radiation or chemotherapy, try
to eat a small meal at least two hours before treatment.
- Ask your doctor about possibly being prescribed antiemetic medication.
Eating Tips to Help Manage Nausea and Vomiting
- Try eating small amounts of food often throughout the day. Eating
even a small amount of food may actually help settle your stomach.
- Avoid skipping meals. It is important to eat and stay nourished.
When you feel better, a high calorie, high protein supplement
shake may help you replenish nutrients lost through vomiting.
Ask your physician or dietitian if a supplement shake may be appropriate
for you.
- Try to avoid eating your favorite foods when you are nauseated.
This could cause you to be "turned off" by them later.
- Remember to chew foods slowly and thoroughly.
- Avoid lying down for at least two hours after eating. If you
wish to rest, sit down. If you must lie down after eating, prop
your head up at least four inches higher than your feet.
- Drink liquids 30 to 60 minutes before or after your meals. Avoid
drinking liquids with your meals.
Food Choice Suggestions to Help Manage Nausea
and Vomiting
- Avoid fried and greasy foods. Low-fat foods may be easier to
tolerate than high-fat foods, which tend to leave the stomach
more slowly. Use only a small amount of margarine, butter, cream,
or oil in your food.
- Try dry foods such as toast, crackers, or dry cereals prior
to meals or if you feel nauseated in the morning.
- Plain, bland foods that are well cooked may be easier to digest.
Bland, soft foods may be better tolerated if thrush is present
(see our
Thrush Fact Sheet for more information).
- Avoid foods with a strong odor. Sometimes the smell of certain
foods can make you feel ill.
- Ginger may help settle the stomach; it is recommended that the
dose not exceed one teaspoon per day.
Some simple foods that you can try
Bananas, canned fruit, sherbet, diluted fruit juice, fruit ices,
well cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, toast, crackers,
cream of wheat, Farina, noodles, puddings, custards, yogurt, cottage
cheese, boiled chicken, baked fish, boiled eggs, soups.
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