Foods To Avoid When Your Stomach Hurts

There are many different causes of a stomach or abdominal pain. Some cause short-term pain, some cause long-term pain, and others cause sudden and severe pain. Suffering from a stomach pain or stomach flu can be a nightmare and you’d do anything to feel better. If you’re having a stomach bug, choosing the wrong kind of food may worsen your misery.

Here are foods that you should avoid when your tummy hurts:

Dairy

Dairy products such as milk and cheese is a “no-no” when it comes to upset stomachs. Consuming dairy can cause digestive problems, especially in individuals with lactose intolerance.

Coffee and Chocolate

Coffee is acidic and irritates the lining of your stomach that causes abdominal pain. It may also increase your symptoms such as acid reflux or heartburn.

Refined Sugar/Artifical Sweeteners

This spikes up your insulin level which can worsen your symptoms by making you feel clammy and shaky.

Soda

The caffeine and citric acid in soda will only make your stomach ache worse. It may cause irritation in your stomach and esophagus, leading to acid reflux and bloating.

Fatty Foods

Fatty foods activate chemical receptors in the stomach that makes you feel bloated. If you are already suffering from stomach pain, stay away from fats.

Citrus Fruits or Foods With High Acidity

Citrus fruits like orange and lemon, or tomato-based products which are high in acid may be packed with vitamins, but avoid them if you’re having stomach pains. The acids in these fruits can cause acid reflux. Stick to other fruits like bananas whenever you have the stomach flu.

Alcohol

It contains chemicals that are hard to metabolize and irritate the stomach lining so avoid it when your tummy already hurts.

Grapes

Grapes contain fructose and tannins, which may cause gas and worsen your upset stomach.

Processed Foods

Processed foods typically have a lot of chemicals and preservatives which could further upset your tummy.

In many cases, stomach pain can be easily treated with medication or just let time take its course. Otherwise, severe and ongoing stomach pain can reflect a major problem involving the organs in your stomach.

If you’re in pain or have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or other symptoms that last for days, call to schedule an appointment with one of our General Practitioners as soon as possible at 03 5229 5192 (Myers Street Family Medical Practice) or 03 5241 6129 (The Cottage Medical Centre).