“Bananas are great because they’re easy to digest and considered non-irritating for the stomach and upper gastrointestinal tract,” says Julie Upton, M.S., R.D., co-founder of Appetite for Health. The high-fiber fruit not only keeps the system regular and aids in recovering from diarrhea, but the vitamin B6 also reduces bloating caused by fluid retention and the magnesium helps to relax muscles.
While it may seem counterintuitive, keeping your belly empty when feeling queasy can create more nausea because there’s nothing in the system to absorb stomach acid. Upton suggests nibbling on white toast or soda crackers every few hours since the starches from these simple carbohydrates “lack fiber, protein and fat — all of which slow digestion and sit in your stomach longer.”
Upton’s top two choices belong to the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce and dry toast) diet, “the clinical diet plan registered dietitians use when patients have acute diarrhea or nausea.”