Nausea and vomiting

Quick Tips: Nausea and vomiting

What to try:

• Eat smaller meals and snack more often.
• The BRATT Diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea, and toast) helps with nausea and diarrhea.
• Leave dry crackers by your bed. Before getting out of bed in the morning, eat a few and stay in bed for a few minutes. This can help reduce nausea.
• Try some herbal tea--such as peppermint or ginger tea.
• Sip cold, carbonated drinks such as ginger ale or Sprite.
• Open your windows when cooking so the smell of food won't be too strong.
• Talk with your VA health care provider about whether you should take medicine for your nausea.
• If you do vomit, be sure to "refuel" your body with fluids such as broth, carbonated beverages, juice, or popsicles.

What to avoid:

• Avoid things that can upset the stomach, such as alcohol, aspirin, caffeine, and smoking.
• Avoid hot or spicy foods.
• Don't eat too many greasy or fried foods.
• Don't lie down immediately after eating.