What’s Your Sick Food? The Best Comforting Foods for When You’re Feeling Under the Weather
We all know what ‘comfort food’ is—the warm, nostalgic meals that bring us emotional relief. But what about ‘sick food’—the foods we instinctively crave when we’re feeling under the weather? Whether it’s an upset stomach, nausea, or just feeling off, we all have our go-to remedies. Let’s talk about the best foods to eat for an upset stomach and the go-to comfort foods we crave when we’re feeling sick.
Comfort Food vs. Sick Food: What’s the Difference?
Believe it or not, my comfort food was always the highly processed and non-vegan Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. That morphed into my husband’s dinner of choice for young kids on the weekends that I’d work my nursing shifts at the hospital. We bought it by the case! I even had enough boxtops to redeem for a Kraft Mac & Cheese Barbie Doll (I wish I’d kept that one!). For most people I know, chicken soup is the ultimate comfort food, and hot tea with lemon and honey is their go-to soothing drink, but everyone has their own sick food traditions.
My Unexpected Sick Food: Diet Coke and Saltines
Well, this past weekend while visiting our son’s family in Los Angeles, I came down with a “tummy bug” on Saturday. I started feeling nauseous and immediately fatigued—I was really ‘hitting the wall.’ (don’t say that to my 2 year old granddaughter—she really thought I took my fist and banged it against the wall!). I lost my appetite (me skipping a meal? Everyone KNEW I didn’t feel well), and I even chose to go back to my hotel room and get in bed instead of going out for cocktails and dinner with the group.
Luckily, my husband was able to get me some Diet Coke and saltines. That’s what I want when I have a stomach bug. Two things I normally exclude from my diet, but almost always crave when my stomach is upset. Evidently, the starch in the crackers may help absorb excess gastric acid, easing some of the discomfort. But there is no scientific evidence to support Diet Coke alleviating nausea and GI symptoms. In fact, the caffeine in it can potentially worsen symptoms. Fun fact: Coke’s main competitor, Pepsi, supposedly derived its name from the word “dyspepsia” (indigestion), purporting to be a refreshing, digestive aid.
Natural Remedies for Nausea
One of the most common natural remedies for nausea is ginger. Had I been home, I probably would have reached for some ginger tea, fresh ginger root and ginger candy in my kitchen ( I have a great Ginger Wellness Guide). I did have an apple, which I ate half of. Ironically, I also had a packet of the Prolon Longevity Protein drink with me, and for some reason, I actually felt like drinking it after a few hours of rest. Considering it has 25 grams of protein and I tolerated it, I’m guessing it helped me feel a little better since I’d basically only had Saltines and Diet Coke for lunch.
The BRAT Diet: Does It Really Work?
The BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast—has been a go-to remedy for upset stomachs for decades. These gentle, familiar foods that can be just as soothing as the classic saltines-and-soda combo. I don’t keep white bread at home, so I wouldn’t have done the toast. Even in nursing school, we learned that these food choices were a trusted antidote for nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, validating what my parents always told me growing up, and my own care of our three now-adult kids. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Cream of Wheat (farina), a favorite remedy of both my Grandma and mom. I’ve noticed that in addition to using the BRAT diet as the best foods for an upset stomach, my own children hydrate their little ones with Pedialyte, which helps replenish both fluids and electrolytes. I’m learning a lot as a grandparent! I’d probably prefer the Pedialyte Freezer Pops.
Here’s what BRAT stands for:
- Bananas (soft, easy to digest)
- Rice (soothing for the throat)
- Applesauce (bland, mild, and easy on the stomach)
- Toast (white bread is easiest on the tummy)
The Best Sick Food Is What Feels Right for You
While I truly believe the world would be better off without soda pop, I have to admit—when I’m sick, I reach for what’s familiar, and for me that’s saltines and Diet Coke. At the end of the day, ‘sick food’ is as much about comfort as it is about healing. While I do my best to keep my diet clean and plant-based, I also give myself grace when my body needs it.
Update: When Life Imitates Writing… I Got Sick Again!
The night after I finished drafting this post, I got sick again—even worse than Saturday! I woke up feeling awful and ended up staying home from work with nausea and fatigue. I stayed in bed all day, which gave me the chance to actually follow my own advice.
This time, I added a few more foods to my “sick food” list:
- Plain baked Russet potatoes 🥔 (soft, easy to digest)
- Plain tea with a little honey 🍯 (soothing for the throat)
- Cheerios 🥣 (bland, mild, and easy on the stomach)
Maybe writing about sick food was a jinx… or maybe it just prepared me to know exactly what to eat when I got hit with round two! Either way, I’m grateful for these simple foods that helped me recover.
What’s YOUR Sick Food? Let’s Compare Notes!
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Do you stick to childhood remedies when you’re under the weather, or have you found new plant-based or other solutions that work wonders? Drop a comment below—I’d love to know your go-to sick food!
