Fasting and tummy bugs

[NotQuiteCockney]

I've managed to get a nasty tummy bug (diarrhea). Last night, I was quite badly off. I had some apple juice and a bit of food this morning, and although it made me nauseated, and gave me some stomach cramps, I've not had any actual problems from it. Should I eat more? Or should I try to do 24 hours without eating, to clear the bug completely.

24 hours would be for the best

That's what I normally do. It works.

People seem to think it will harm you to go without food for 24 hours. Not so. In fact eating when you are ill just takes up valuable energy which could be fighting the illness. Plus with a bug in your digestive tract you need to starve it out to get rid of it.

Must keep up fluids if possible though. Nothing milky. Flat lemonade is good.

I can have apple juice?

I'm tempted to eat because a) I'm greedy and b) I'm breastfeeding. Oh, and c) I ate this morning, didn't have trots. Well, I do go a bit wobbly without food, despite not being skinny. 24 hours without food won't hurt me, no.

I'm breastfeeding a year-old, though, so if he doesn't get quite as much milk as normal out of me, he can have some cow's milk, so it's not like I'm feeding a newborn.

I'm thinking that something less acidic than apple juice would be better....

Plenty of fluids should keep the milk supply up for 24 hours.

tea is good for diarrhoea if you are not too critical with it. It contains minerals that are often lacking after diarrhoea.

Toast, apple, banana or rice is ok. This is the brat diet, considered to be the best thig to eat when sicky

Gah. I hate tea. (I'm not English. Does it show?)

Toast I could eat. Is brown ok? White is easier on the gut, isn't it.

Shame as I survive on tea when I have diarrhoea.

If I start liking tea, or listening to the Archers, I have to move back home. I don't want to go native.

Where are you from NQC? I didn't realise you were from somewhere else.

I'd avoid bananas if I were you as they are notoriuosly hard to digest unless you mash it very thoroughly. Would stick to water and toast

Message withdrawn

I've had toast, and feel ok for it. I won't push it tonight, though.

I'm from Canada, Lonelywitch. I always expect the accent to give it away .

Oh I expect it does, but I am not very good with accents!

No butter on the toast though - has to be fat free really (although I've got away with the merest scrape of it before).

Have sugared water if you get wobbly and don't want/have flat coke or lemonade.

One of our up-to-date gp's said that new tests have shown that it makes no difference to the illness whether you starve yourself or not. Basically, if you feel like eating, do so. Grated apple is good to help the skitters as the grating aids your tummy absorb the natural pectin in apples, which in turn settles down your insides. Hope you feel better soon.

I like your up-to-date GP, suedonim.

I ended up having four slices of toast, with some spreadable. And then some (plain) pringles. No more problems. I think I'll stick to simple meals today, just to take it easy.

eat what you really fancy. Thats what I do as my body knows what it wants..usually toast or crisps and hot chocolate!!!

That's what I normally do, auntymandy, but yesterday morning I wanted apple juice, tiramisu, and some strange crisps. And then I felt pretty poorly (although, finally, I wasn't ill again).

Hm, if I go back to that rule, I can have some ice cream once the kids and DH clear off ...