Kamil Perry
When it comes to recovering from a stomach virus, it is important to focus on replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. While there is no special diet to cure a stomach virus, certain foods and drinks can help ease symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting. So, is cheese good for a stomach virus? Well, cheese is a binder and can be a good source of calories, but it is high in fat, which can worsen diarrhoea. Aged cheeses like Brie, however, are pretty much lactose-free and can be easier to digest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you eat cheese when you have a stomach virus? | Cheese is calorie-dense and can help restore calories lost due to a stomach virus. However, it can worsen diarrhea and is hard for some to digest. |
| What is a stomach virus? | An intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes fever. |
| What should you eat and drink when you have a stomach virus? | Clear liquids, bland carbohydrates, and lean proteins may be easier on the stomach and help relieve symptoms. Oral rehydration solutions, salted crackers, ginger, eggs, and unsweetened applesauce are also recommended. |
| What should you avoid when you have a stomach virus? | High-fat toppings such as butter, cheese, and sour cream. Solid foods for a few hours after the onset of symptoms. Frying meat and instead opt for baking, roasting, or grilling to help keep fat content low. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cheese can worsen diarrhoea
When suffering from a stomach virus, it is important to be mindful of what you consume. The stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. The primary concern is to avoid dehydration by replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes. While there is no specific diet for the stomach flu, certain foods and drinks can help manage symptoms and speed up recovery.
Cheese can be problematic for individuals with a stomach virus, particularly those experiencing diarrhoea. High-fat foods like cheese can worsen diarrhoea and should be avoided. Instead, it is recommended to opt for lean proteins such as eggs, baked chicken, or turkey lunch meat, which are easier on the stomach and provide essential nutrients.
When recovering from a stomach virus, it is crucial to prioritise rehydration and electrolyte balance. Clear liquids, broths, and oral rehydration solutions are effective ways to replenish fluids. Sucking on ice chips or sipping small amounts of water slowly can help prevent dehydration without aggravating nausea.
Bland, soft, and easily digestible foods are generally well-tolerated during recovery. The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is often recommended for its simplicity and low-fat, low-spice content. Whole grains, refined grains, and potatoes are also gentle on the stomach.
While cheese can be difficult for some to digest, aged cheeses like Brie have undergone lacto-fermentation, making them nearly lactose-free. However, during an active stomach virus, it is generally advisable to avoid dairy products as lactose digestion can be challenging for adults due to the low production of the enzyme lactase. Therefore, it is recommended to introduce cheese back into your diet cautiously after recovering from the stomach flu.
Cheese and Perimenopause: Friend or Foe?
You may want to see also
Cheese is calorie-dense and can help replenish lost calories
When recovering from a stomach virus, it's important to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. Frequent vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous if left untreated. While there is no special diet to cure a stomach virus, eating foods that are soft, bland, and easy to digest is recommended. These include foods like plain, boiled potatoes, bananas, oranges, and melons, which are good sources of potassium.
It's worth noting that high-fat toppings like butter, cheese, and sour cream should be avoided when eating boiled potatoes. Instead, consider adding olive oil or roast garlic paste for extra calories.
In addition to cheese and crackers, other suggestions for foods to eat when recovering from a stomach virus include yoghurt, which is easy to digest and has many beneficial properties, especially whole-milk yoghurt. Fruit smoothies, chilled fruits, and small salads with vinaigrette can also help your stomach acid, while warm rice can help you feel more full. Ginger can also help calm your vomiting reflex.
Cheese and Lactation: A Healthy Boost?
You may want to see also
Cheese is a binder and can help with stomach issues
When recovering from a stomach virus, it is important to prioritise rehydration and replenishing lost fluids. It is recommended to consume clear liquids, broths, teas, sodas, and non-caffeinated sports drinks. Small and frequent sips are advised to prevent overwhelming the stomach. Oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte or Hydralyte, are also beneficial as they contain glucose and electrolytes.
Soft, bland, and easily digestible foods are ideal when dealing with a stomach virus. The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is often suggested as these foods are gentle on the stomach and low in fat, sugar, grease, and spices. Additionally, lean proteins, such as baked chicken, and complex carbohydrates, like whole grains, can be introduced to provide essential nutrients and support recovery.
Cheese, a dairy product, is typically not recommended as a first-line option when experiencing stomach issues due to its potential to worsen diarrhoea. However, in the context of recovering from a stomach virus, cheese can be considered a binder, aiding in calorie intake and providing some nutritional benefits. Aged cheeses, such as Brie, undergo lacto-fermentation by bacteria, making them substantially lactose-free. This characteristic may be advantageous for individuals who are lactose intolerant or sensitive, allowing them to consume cheese without the digestive challenges associated with lactose.
While cheese can be a viable option for some, it is important to acknowledge that it may be difficult for others to digest. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise moderation and observe how your body responds. Additionally, pairing cheese with other bland and easily digestible foods, such as crackers, can be a strategic approach to balance digestion and nutrient intake.
In summary, cheese can be a helpful component of a diet aimed at recovering from a stomach virus. Its binding properties and nutritional content can contribute to overall recovery, especially when combined with other recommended foods and adequate hydration. However, individual tolerance should be considered, and adjustments should be made accordingly.
Cheese and Osteoporosis: A Healthy Diet Solution?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Aged cheese is lactose-free and can be consumed by lactose-intolerant people
While cheese is not recommended as a food to eat when you have the stomach flu, aged cheese is lactose-free and can be consumed by lactose-intolerant people. Lactose intolerance affects approximately 65% of the global population, with varying degrees of severity. This condition occurs when the body cannot properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency in the enzyme lactase.
Cheese is made by separating curds (milk solids) from whey (milk liquid). Most of the lactose remains in the whey, which is drained off. As cheese ages, any remaining lactose continues to break down in a process known as fermentation, which is carried out by bacteria that consume the lactose and convert it into lactic acid. This means that the longer a cheese has been aged, the less lactose it will contain.
Aged cheddars, such as Cabot's aged cheddars, have lactose levels so low that they are considered lactose-free by dietary standards. Other aged cheeses that are low in lactose include Parmesan, Gouda, Gruyère, and Monterey Jack. These cheeses are excellent options for those with lactose intolerance, as their long aging process results in a cheese with minimal lactose content.
It is important to note that individual tolerance levels may vary, so it is always best to start with small amounts of aged cheese and monitor your body's response. Additionally, avoid processed cheeses, such as American and deli Swiss, which are blended with lactose-heavy whey to improve melting, as well as fresh cheeses like mozzarella and ricotta, which have higher lactose content than aged cheeses.
Cheese and Pugs: A Healthy Treat?
You may want to see also
Cheese can be hard to digest
When it comes to stomach viruses, also known as viral gastroenteritis, the primary concern is preventing dehydration through fluid intake. While food is not the first priority, it is important to consume soft, bland, and easy-to-digest items. High-fat foods, such as cheese, butter, and sour cream, are generally not recommended as they can worsen diarrhoea.
Cheese, in particular, can be challenging to digest for some individuals. It is a dairy product, and dairy is known to cause digestive issues in people with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products, and some people struggle to process it properly due to a lack of the enzyme lactase in their digestive system. This can lead to symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Additionally, cheese is high in fat, and compared to simple carbohydrates and proteins, fats are digested more slowly. This slower digestion can potentially lead to constipation or even diarrhoea in some individuals. The fat content in cheese can act like a "plug" in the intestines, slowing down the passage of food and fluids through the gastrointestinal tract.
Furthermore, cheese contains proteins that may trigger allergic reactions in some people. Both A1 and A2 proteins are present in cow's milk and goat's milk, commonly used in cheesemaking. Many individuals have an allergy to the A1 protein, and consuming cheese made with this milk can result in adverse gastrointestinal symptoms.
However, it is important to note that everyone's gut reacts differently to cheese. While some people may experience digestive issues, others may not have any problems at all. For those who enjoy cheese but experience gastrointestinal upset, moderation and pairing it with fibre-rich foods may help alleviate or prevent symptoms. Additionally, seeking advice from a healthcare professional or nutritionist can provide guidance on managing cheese consumption while maintaining a healthy gut.
Cheese and Hyperthyroidism: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Foods that are soft, bland, and easy to digest are recommended when recovering from a stomach virus. The BRAT diet, consisting of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast, is a good option. Other foods to consider include eggs, lean poultry, and meats.
High-fat foods, such as butter, cheese, and sour cream, should be avoided as they can worsen diarrhea. Pork should also be avoided as it takes the longest to digest out of all meats.
It is important to focus on hydration and drink plenty of liquids to replenish lost fluids. Clear liquids, such as broths, teas, and sports drinks, are recommended. Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte or Hydralyte can also help replace lost electrolytes.
