How to combat queasiness
Are you familiar with this type of stomach discomfort? You feel queasy and like you’re going to throw up, although you don’t always actually do so?
Feeling nauseous discourages you from eating and drinking. This is what makes it especially threatening – it promotes malnutrition.
Nausea can be caused by side effects from treatment as well as by surgical side effects or certain types of cancer. If caused by the treatment, the effect will go away after a few days in most cases. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate antiemetic medication to treat your feeling of nausea.
Are there any tricks against nausea?
Managing nausea is not impossible. We’ve put together some recommendations regarding nutrition that may make you feel better again.
13 Tips to manage nausea
- Try to eat food that is easily digestible or appeals to you rather than heavy meals; forcing yourself to eat something you don’t feel like eating at the moment is not a good idea.
- However, try not to skip a meal! Having an empty stomach often makes nausea worse. So, try to eat at least something, like crackers.
- Avoid feeling bloated after meals by sipping only small amounts of liquid while eating but be sure to drink liquids throughout the day.
- Stay away from food and drinks that smell strong. Also avoid eating in a room filled with cooking smells. Roasted, fried or baked dishes have strong aromas. Make sure to keep the room well-ventilated.
- Mild dishes like mashed potatoes, noodles or rice are sure to be more tolerable in case of smell aversions.
- Try to consume food and drinks at room temperature, this means not too cold nor too hot.
- Rest after meals but instead of lying down, sit upright to prevent acid reflux.
- The smell of fresh lemon or scented candles can mitigate nausea.
- If you suffer from constant nausea, keep a record of when and why you feel nauseous.
- It’s important to stay hydrated. Drink at least 1.5 L of fluids daily. Uncarbonated mineral water can help.
- Ginger has antiemetic effects. Try it in tea form to settle your upset stomach.
- Lollipops or candy can be helpful as it distracts you from the nausea. Choose the sugarless alternative.
- Consult your dietician or doctor if you feel the need to take medication to prevent nausea.
What food may be helpful?
Warm and soft: Food with a soft consistency is often considered pleasing. Examples are hot oatmeal, steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, beef stroganoff and fish stew.
Dry, baked goods rich in carbohydrates – shortbread biscuits, pretzels and pretzel sticks, rusk, crisp bread, grissini, crackers and even toast – are also well-tolerated, and easy to chew and digest. Do not abuse them due to their high content of simple carbohydrates.
What about teatime:
Teas made from the following plants can alleviate nausea:
- Chamomile (also relieves cramps)
- Ginger root (also is warming)
