Start with liquids and electrolyte solutions, because dehydration is the biggest early risk. Then move to bland foods, such as the BRAT diet: bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast. Avoid raw meat, unpasteurized milk, greasy foods, and alcohol until symptoms calm down. If you have severe food poisoning symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, including IV fluids.
If your illness is severe and may be linked to contaminated food from a restaurant or store, it's also wise to preserve evidence. Save receipts, packaging, and medical records. At Lance Bingham, our Salt Lake food poisoning lawyers can review whether you have grounds for a personal injury claim.
Food poisoning is a foodborne illness that irritates your digestive system. It can feel like the stomach flu, but the cause is different. What you eat and drink can either help or make it worse.
Food poisoning symptoms often start within hours, but timing varies. Many people deal with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and fatigue. Some also get fever and chills.
These symptoms hit your digestive system hard. Vomiting and diarrhea cause water and electrolytes to be lost from the body. That’s why rehydration is step one.
Common causes include foodborne germs and food contaminants. Bacteria like Salmonella species, Clostridium perfringens, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are frequent culprits. In some cases, Vibrio species can be linked to seafood.
Certain foods are higher risk when handled incorrectly. Think raw meat, deli meat, unpasteurized milk, and refrigerated smoked seafood. Picnic foods like potato salad can also spoil quickly.
Diet matters because your gut is already irritated. Bland foods can help reduce nausea and cramps. Heavy, spicy, or greasy foods can prolong symptoms.
Food safety also matters during recovery. Use a food thermometer to ensure cooked dishes are fully reheated. Keep perishable food cold, and clean kitchen surfaces well.
Dehydration is the primary risk of food poisoning. Vomiting and diarrhea can drain fluids fast. In Salt Lake’s dry air, that drain can feel even worse.
Start small and steady. Take small sips every few minutes, even if you feel nauseated. If you can keep it down, slowly increase the amount.
Good options include:
Electrolyte solutions help replace salt and sugar. That combo helps your body absorb water better than water alone. The CDC notes that oral rehydration solutions can help prevent dehydration in cases of severe diarrhea.
Skip these while symptoms are active:
Watch for dehydration warning signs. Dark urine, very little urination, dizziness, or a dry mouth can be clues. If you can’t keep fluids down, you may need medical intervention.
Sometimes you need more than home care. IV fluids can be used when dehydration is severe, or vomiting won’t stop. If you’re unsure, call a primary care doctor or go to urgent care.
Once you can keep fluids down, you can try bland foods. The goal is to calm your stomach, not eat normally right away. Start small, and stop if nausea returns.
The BRAT diet is a common short-term plan for stomach upset. It uses bland foods that are easy to digest. It can help while your digestive system is still irritated.
Eat small portions. A few bites can be enough at first. If it stays down, you can repeat later.
BRAT is a starting point, not the whole menu. Some people prefer warm, simple foods. Others prefer dry and crunchy foods.
Other gentle options include:
Avoid heavy seasoning and oils. Skip hot sauces and spicy blends. Your stomach is not ready for flavor fireworks.
If you’re hungry but scared to eat, that’s normal. Go slow and keep it boring. Boring is a gift at this point.
As symptoms ease, you can expand what you eat. The trick is to add foods one at a time. If you jump too fast, your stomach may vote no.
Protein helps recovery, but only if it is easy to digest. Start with small amounts. Keep it simple and fully cooked.
Good options include:
Avoid raw or undercooked foods. That includes rare meats and runny eggs. During recovery, food safety matters more than cravings.
If you cook meat, use safe internal temperature guidance. A food thermometer is your friend here. It helps prevent a second round of trouble.
Cooked vegetables are often easier to eat than raw vegetables. They are softer and less irritating. Start with small servings.
Try:
Keep carbs plain at first. White rice is a good base. Plain pasta and oatmeal can also work.
Avoid big salads and raw veggies early. High fiber can worsen cramps. Let your gut calm down first.
Some people benefit from probiotics after food poisoning. Others feel worse initially with them. Listen to your body.
Options can include:
If dairy worsens symptoms, stop. Lactose intolerance can happen temporarily after illness. It often improves as you heal.
If you plan to take supplements, be cautious. Vitamin B complex is not a cure-all. Ask a clinician before adding anything new.
Fiber is healthy, but timing matters. Add it back slowly. Start with small amounts and build over a few days.
Choose softer fiber sources first. Avoid large amounts of beans or bran early in the day. Those can increase gas and cramps.
If symptoms return, step back to bland foods. That’s not failure. It’s your body giving feedback.
Some foods can prolong food poisoning. Others can make dehydration worse. While symptoms are active, be picky on purpose.
Greasy foods are tough on the digestive system. Fried foods can trigger nausea and cramps. Spicy foods can irritate an already inflamed gut.
Avoid:
Think simple fuel, not comfort feast. Your stomach needs a break. This is not the time for daredevil eating.
Dairy can be challenging during foodborne illness outbreaks. Some people tolerate it. Others feel worse right away.
Avoid milk and heavy dairy at first. If you want to try yogurt, try a small amount. Stop if symptoms worsen.
Avoid unpasteurized milk. It can carry foodborne germs. Pasteurized milk is safer, but it can still cause stomach irritation.
High-fiber foods can increase cramps and gas. Raw vegetables can be harder to digest. That includes salads and crunchy veggie trays.
Avoid:
You can add fiber later. For now, keep foods soft and bland. White rice beats kale right now.
Caffeine can worsen dehydration. Alcohol can irritate the stomach and dehydrate you more. Sugary drinks can pull water into the gut and worsen diarrhea.
Avoid:
Stick to electrolyte solutions and clear liquids. Small sips often help more than big gulps. This is a slow-and-steady moment.
Some foods carry a higher risk of contamination. Avoid them while you are sick and healing. Your gut is more sensitive right now.
Be cautious with:
Food safety matters during recovery. Clean kitchen surfaces and wash your hands well. Use a food thermometer for cooked dishes.
Food poisoning can leave your stomach feeling touchy for days. A few simple supports can make eating and drinking easier. Focus on comfort and hydration, not quick fixes.
Ginger can help with nausea for some people. You can try ginger tea or ginger chews in small amounts. If it makes you feel worse, skip it.
Herbal teas can also be calming. Warm liquids may feel easier than cold drinks. Please avoid teas with high caffeine.
Rest is not optional here. Your body is fighting off a foodborne illness. Sleep and quiet time help your recovery move faster.
Be careful with home remedies that promise miracles. Some can worsen diarrhea or cause dehydration. If you’re unsure, stick to bland foods and electrolyte solutions.
Most food poisoning clears with home care. Some cases need urgent care, a primary care doctor, or the emergency room. Know the red flags, and don’t try to tough it out.
Seek medical help right away if you have:
Kids, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with a weak immune system should be extra cautious. Severe dehydration can require IV fluids or stabilization care. If you feel faint or severely weak, go in.
If you think you got sick from a restaurant or food product, reporting can help. Utah health resources often direct people to report suspected foodborne illness to the Utah Department of Health & Human Services systems. Salt Lake County also points residents to report food-related illness through the state system.
Sometimes food poisoning is more than an unlucky meal. If contaminated food or unsafe food handling caused serious harm, you may have a personal injury claim. That applies to restaurants, grocery stores, caterers, and packaged foods.
A claim is stronger when there’s clear proof. Save receipts, packaging, and any leftovers if safe to do so. Keep a symptom timeline and get medical records, especially lab results.
You may also have damages worth pursuing. These can include medical bills, lost wages, and costs for urgent care or IV treatment. Pain and disruption matter too, especially with severe symptoms.
A food poisoning injury lawsuit may make sense when illness is severe, confirmed by testing, or linked to an outbreak. It can also make sense when multiple people got sick from the same food. Fast action matters because perishable proof disappears.
People often find us through one incident and then ask about other claims. The same basics recur: proof, medical records, and insurance pressure. That’s true for food poisoning and for many other injuries.
At Lance Bingham, we also handle aviation accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, DUI accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, and dog bites. Different facts, same goal: fair compensation supported by evidence. If you’re dealing with injuries and insurance calls, our personal injury attorney will review your timeline, medical records, and any proof you saved, like receipts or packaging.
What are the best foods to eat after getting food poisoning?
Start with electrolyte solutions, then with bland foods such as bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast. Add simple broths and crackers as you improve.
What foods should I avoid after food poisoning?
Avoid greasy, spicy, sugary, and high-fiber foods at first. Skip alcohol, caffeine, raw meat, unpasteurized milk, and risky deli items until you’re better.
When should I go to urgent care or the emergency room?
Go for dehydration, bloody diarrhea, fever over 102°F, severe pain, or nonstop vomiting. Kids, older adults, and pregnant people should seek help sooner.
Should I report suspected food poisoning to the Utah health department?
Yes. Reporting can support outbreak investigations and may help others avoid getting sick. Utah DHHS has reporting options, and counties often direct you there.
Can food poisoning lead to a personal injury claim or lawsuit?
Yes, especially in cases of severe illness, medical treatment, or a lab-confirmed infection. Save receipts, packaging, and medical records to support causation.
What evidence should I save if I think contaminated food made me sick?
Save receipts, packaging with lot numbers, leftovers if safe, and a symptom timeline. Get medical care and keep lab results, bills, and doctor notes.
If you believe contaminated food caused serious illness, you may have options beyond resting and waiting. Lance Bingham offers a free consultation to discuss what happened and determine whether a personal injury claim is appropriate.
Our firm helps injury victims in Salt Lake with food poisoning claims and many other cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, DUI crashes, motorcycle and bicycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, dog bites, and more. Many cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless you recover compensation.
Call us today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step toward answers.
Lance Bingham Utah Personal Injury Lawyers
15 West South Temple, Suite 1650, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: (801) 383-2922
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