Recovering From an Upset Stomach? Eat (And Avoid) These Foods

I don't know about you, but having the stomach flu is one of the worst common "sicknesses" I can think of. Whether you are paying tribute to the porcelain god from one end or the other (or both), a stomach flu bug or a bout of food poisoning is enough to make you never want to eat again ... EVER. Luckily there are some foods to get you on the way to your old self in no time. Keep reading for the foods to eat (and the ones to avoid) when recovering from a stomach bug.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

1. Peppermint

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

If you have an upset stomach, peppermint tea will help ease your nausea and can also quell your upset stomach. The peppermint you choose should not be too sugary and is best consumed in a tea form. Peppermint tea is one of the most soothing foods for an upset stomach and will calm your nausea in no time. Peppermint tea is also ideal for women who are suffering from morning sickness as it does not have any negative side effects but is very effective for squashing nausea.

2. Ginger

Another food that is excellent for your digestive system and can quell nausea is ginger. Ginger is also loaded with antioxidants and is good for your entire body. You can eat ginger raw or you can also use it in meals. If you are suffering from nausea, you can drink ginger tea as this, like peppermint tea, can keep you from getting sick.

3. Rice

Rice is easy on your system and is an ideal food for someone who is getting back into eating solid foods after being sick. Rice is filling but is also a light meal and is easy to digest. Rice can be made with chicken broth as a remedy for curing a cold and as a simple way to get some bland food into your stomach.

4. Crackers

Eating crackers is another way that you can help ease your way back into solid foods if you have been sick and have not been on solid foods for some time. Crackers are often recommended for pregnant women who experience morning sickness. Just make sure you choose crackers that are low in sodium and free of unhealthy fats.

5. Bananas

Bananas are easy to digest and are often one of the first foods given to babies (who simply by their young nature have sensitive stomachs). Like rice, bananas are filling without upsetting your stomach. Bananas are also one of the best foods for an upset stomach as they are not heavy, but do provide you with needed nutrients that you may have lost when sick (such as potassium).

When you have an upset stomach, you will want to avoid these foods:

1. Dairy

Eating dairy after an upset stomach may seem like a way to calm down the stomach, but usually produces an opposite effect. Cheese is very binding and may cause constipation, while milk may cause (or worsen) diarrhea.

2. Caffeine

Caffeine (such as that contained in drinks like coffee or tea, or in chocolate) is hard on your stomach to begin with, so you for sure don't want to jump right into these drinks/food when recovering from a troubled tummy. Once you're back on your feet you can go back to your morning cup of java or give in to your chocolate cravings. Until then - hold off.

3. Spicy Foods

Much like caffeine, spicy foods can wreak havoc on your stomach in a normal situation, much less when you're already sick. If you're a fan of Mexican, Italian, Asian, or Indian fare, you should definitely stay away for at least a few days. You'll enjoy those foods much more when you're back to your healthy self!

4. Nuts

Nuts are hard to digest for certain people and although they are good for you, they can disturb your digestive tract even more if it is already in distress. Stay away from nuts when you are suffering from a stomach bug.

5. Tomatoes

The lycopene in tomatoes is a tremendous nutrient that you should be getting on a regular basis, but the acidity in this fruit can aggravate an already upset tum. Save your tomatoes and tomato-based foods for when you're fully recovered!

Don't let the stomach flu (or food poisoning, or morning sickness) get you down! By getting the "good" foods and avoiding the "bad" you can recover safely and quickly (and with fewer trips to the bathroom).

Recovering From an Upset Stomach? Eat (And Avoid) These Foods

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Change Dog Food - The Why's and the How's Explained

Why NOT to change dog food?

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Change dog food when necessary and only then is the most commonly heard view (though other perspectives exist). Changing dog food is one of the most common causes of diarrhea and gastro-intestinal upsets. The change should be gradually rather than sudden so the intestinal flora of your pooch can adapt to the new dog food and go live in harmony again.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

When new ingredients and substances enter the intestines the harmonious composition in numbers and combinations of the local bacteria colonies is disturbed. Shifts occur as one bacteria type (fermentative bacteria) loves carbohydrates whereas others love meat (putrefactive bacteria). The latter type doesn't produce as much gas, so when your dog is farting a lot it could be the dog food you chose last time contains the wrong amount or types of carbohydrates for his intestines.

When and why should you think of altering your dog's diet?

* It is time, for example, for a puppy to junior/adult dog food transition.

* You suspect a dog food allergy (take a look at dog allergy symptoms).

* Your dog suffers weight loss (due to loss of appetite)

* You vet recommends a change

* There is a dog food recall and the brand you're using now is affected.

* You want to give your dog variety. Not every one agrees on this point! Some experts claim it is best to not make any change as long as your dog is doing well. Others claim there is not a single dog food that 'has it all' and by switching every three months your dog's chances of having a nutrient deficiency lessen. For now, I prefer to go with the first category of experts that advocate: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!".

Give your dog variety, if you like, by supplementing his daily menu with occasional treats, chicken necks, uncooked kitchen counter scraps, a home made dog dinner, a whole fish from the market, that smelly unwashed dirty paunch your sweet doggie just loves so much, etc.
In contrast, feeding a wide variety of different foods is said to help avoid the development of dog food induced allergies. Changing dog food every three months is an advice given by some nutritionists. When I come across evidence supporting this I will of course update this article.

How do you change your dog's diet?

Change Dog Food Cold Turkey or Big Bang?

There are several methods of doing this and Cold Turkey or Big Bang isn't one of them. But if there is no other choice (like when there is a dog food recall) then go for it! The risks of the big bang method are nothing compared to the risks when feeding alleged tainted dog food.

Not every dog is sensitive to food changes and for some dogs it actually seems as if they do have a cast iron stomach. What can happen though is your dog feeling quite uncomfortable for some days. He may be experiencing stomach cramps, indigestion, and diarrhoea or vomiting as his digestive system needs time to adapt.

When your dog is picky and just refuses to eat that unknown dog food brand, then just try another brand... tastes differ! Often you can get free dog food samples to test whether your dog likes this food. Don't just choose by price or buy whatever is on sale. Your faithful companion would want you to go for quality. So when you opt to change dog food, please make an educated guess after reading the dog food labels.

Change Dog Food via the 'Pension Method'

A commonly used method of switching dog food brands is the gradual method, sometimes known as the 'pension method' since this is often used by pet pensions to have their guests on the same menu during their stay.

Different production methods exist for dry dog food leading to different types: baked, pelleted and extruded dog food. When changing brands of the same type, method A is advised but if you make a change from extruded to pelleted dog food then go for method B.

METHOD A: Change Dog Food Brands of the Same Production Type

If you can, take the time and make the alteration gradually within a week. You can choose to make the transition quicker if necessary but really... there is no need to test whether your dog's stomach is made of iron.

Day 1-3: Mix and give two thirds of the current dog food with one third of the new dog food.

Day 4-6: Mix and give one third of the current dog food with two third of the new dog food.

Day 7: Your dog is on 100% of the new dog food.

METHOD B: Change Dog Food Production Types

Use this method when switching from expanded dog food to pelleted dog food. Your dog's stomach can adjust to the lesser volume and by making the switch gradual his intestinal flora can adjust.

Day 1: Give a quarter of the new dog food (so only 25% of a regular portion suitable for your dog's size) together with a nice bone.

Day 2: Give half of the new dog food.

Day 3: Give three quarters of the new dog food.

Day 4: Give your dog the full portion of the new dog food.

Change Dog Food via the 'Milestone Method'

This method is not often used but can be chosen when your dog's intestines are very sensitive. You can also use this to give your dog's intestinal flora a boost after he's been ill or has been on antibiotics.

Day 1-5: Feed your dog only unwashed dirty paunch in multiple small portions a day. Thaw the paunch at room temperature so the useful good bacteria and nutrients stay intact (do not microwave!).

Day 6: Mix dirty paunch with the new dog food.

Day 7: Feed 100% of the new dog food.

Should your dog not want to eat this healthy smelly stuff (most dogs love it though) then try the following. After thawing you plunge the paunch into boiling water - just a quick dip to take the rawness of.

It may take several dog food changes before you find the perfect dog food for your furry friend. This all depends on why you had to change and how sensitive or picky your dog is. In this process it helps to keep a track record, take notes and perform a regular health check.

Change Dog Food - The Why's and the How's Explained

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Sensitivity - How They Differ

It is estimated that as many as thirty percent of all Americans suffer from lactose intolerance, a serious condition that results from a lack of the enzyme lactase, which is required in order to break down lactose in the digestive system. Lactose intolerance is sometimes misidentified or confused with a dairy sensitivity or allergy, but the two conditions are quite distinct with disparate symptoms and root causes. While most dairy sensitivities are relatively minor, in some greatest cases dairy allergies can corollary in serious or life-threatening reactions which may wish immediate hospitalization. For this reason, it's requisite to conclude either an private is suffering from lactose intolerance or from dairy sensitivity before a serious situation develops. There is no cure for either condition, but avoiding the products that trigger reactions is ordinarily an productive treatment for both lactose intolerance and dairy sensitivity.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Lactose Intolerance
Individuals with lactose intolerance cannot break down the easy sugar lactose found in milk and many other dairy products. As a result, the lactose in these foods passes virtually unchanged straight through the digestive system, creating a wide range of effects along with painful gas, bloating, and severe stomach cramps. These symptoms typically worsen with age, and can be highly uncomfortable, but are not ordinarily serious or life threatening. Treatments comprise lactase supplements and avoidance. Some doctors suggest slowly introducing small amounts of dairy into the diet of lactose intolerant individuals in order to cut the level of intolerance; this ordinarily is an uncomfortable process, however, and has not achieved consistent results.

Sensitive Stomachs

Dairy Sensitivity
Dairy sensitivities and allergies are the corollary of a misidentification by the body's immune law of dairy products such as lactose or casein; rather than breaking them down ordinarily as food, the body's defensive law attacks these materials as foreign and releases white blood cells and chemicals along with histamines to try to fight off the misidentified materials. While lactose intolerance and dairy sensitivity share some of the same symptoms along with bloating, excessive gas, cramps, and nausea, dairy sensitivities also can cause skin rashes and eczema, asthma attacks, and upper respiratory congestion. In greatest cases, dairy sensitivities can trigger anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction with symptoms along with hives and itching, heart palpitations, blurring and anxiety to comprise slurred speech, and coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing due to swollen airways. While antihistamines are sometimes prescribed for mild cases of dairy sensitivity, the best treatment is to avoid dairy products containing the offending substances. Some children who exhibit symptoms of dairy sensitivity outgrow the problem in adolescence or adulthood, while others must avoid dairy products for their whole lives.

Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Sensitivity - How They Differ

Sensitive Stomachs

Stores Continue to Sell Poison Dog Food After Recall

In a shocking news story, head of the Center for Veterinary Medicine, CVM of the FDA, Dr Steven Sundlof says that some stores have not removed contaminated dog food from their shelves.

dog food storage containers

Initially, the dog food recall involved Menu Foods which has recalled more than 100 brands of dog food. That recall has expanded and continues to grow with more brands and manufacturers being added to the recall list almost daily.

Dog Food

Dr. Sundlof told Senators in a recent hearing that he could not rule out the discovery of more tainted food.

While the FDA continues its investigation and monitoring of dog food retailers, the sad result is that some retailers are continuing to sell contaminated dog food. While there is no evidence that this is intentional, the sad fact remains that dogs who eat this food are in danger of suffering from kidney failure and dying.

The Veterinary Information Network states that between 2,000 to 7,000, pet deaths have been reported since the inception of the dog food crisis.

With the possibility of more poison dog food being discovered and some retailers not having removed poison dog food from their shelves, reports of kidney failure and death in dogs will most likely continue to grow.

Who Do You Believe?

Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM indicated that said pet food labels should be prohibited from proclaiming claims of safety unless ingredients are rigorously tested. The veterinarian went on to say that such testing does not take place.

Dr Hodgkins went on to tell U.S. Senators that:

"Through astonishingly successfully marketing efforts of the industry, pet owners and their veterinarians have come to believe that household pets must consume commercial foods, and only commercial foods, day in and day out, throughout their entire lives, in order to remain healthy"

We have long proclaimed the fallacy of this notion and the serious health consequences our dogs may experience if more attention is given to just what we feed our dogs.

The dog food industry stated the following in defense of commercial dog food products.

"Pet foods are safe,"

Yup, that's it. One report indicates that Menu Foods blames the dog food recall on a clerical error.

Some deadly error !

As a consumer and dog parent, the choice is yours. Will you change the way you feed your dog? Will you find out if the dog food you feed your best friend is slowly poisoning her? Or will you believe the claims of the dog food industry?

News stories report that many dog owners are not aware of the impact of the dog food recall, nor have changed the food that they feed their dogs.

This is perhaps one of the more frightening collateral aspects of the story. Your dog depends on you for love and the basic necessities of life. Taking the time to become an informed dog parent can make the difference between having a long and happy life with your best friend or the possibility that your dog may become the next statistic in a database of recalled dog food deaths.

Stores Continue to Sell Poison Dog Food After Recall

Dog Food

Why Natural Dog Food? - Does Your Dog Suffer From Soft Stools? Check Out Their Diet!

Commercially prepared dog food is intended to be the sole calorie source for the intended pet. Therefore it contains all of the nutrients in the right proportions for your dog. Over-supplementing your dog's diet, particularly with concentrated nutrients can cause an imbalance of important nutrients like calcium, zinc, vitamin A, fat or protein. Some dogs suffer soft stools because of the variety of different foodstuffs that you are offering to him. Fruits and vegetables, especially when they are uncooked, can cause changes in gastrointestinal microflora and intestinal osmolarity.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Dogs are usually not picky eaters and most are happy to eat kibble everyday. However, many people feel the need to feed human food to their dogs. It is generally recommended to keep treats and "people food" to 10% or less of the diet. In most cases, a dog will have a normal stool quality of "people food" is kept to this level or less of this diet.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Although homemade natural dog food is the best as you can be sure it is free from preservative or contaminants so prevalent in commercial dog food as reported in recent news, some dogs may not adapt too well especially if you feed it human food. Like human, some dog will have more sensitive stomachs than others and do not adjust well to variety in their diet. In fact, it takes 12 weeks for the metabolic pathways to be forged in the dog's body so most vet recommend that you do not switch dog food often.

A final recommendation would be to pick a few foods that you know do not upset your dog's stomach and use them sparingly as treats for your dog. It is best to follow expert's advice on dog food recipes if you are preparing homemade dog food.

Why Natural Dog Food? - Does Your Dog Suffer From Soft Stools? Check Out Their Diet!

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Are You Feeding High Quality, Nutritious Dog Food? If Not, You May Be Killing Your Beloved Pet

High quality, nutritious dog food is the key to your dog's long term good health. You may be aware of this. Most food that we buy to feed our dogs is extremely low in nutritional value. If you are buying your dog's food in a grocery store or a pet supermarket, you may be slowly killing your dog.

dog food dispenser

Think about human nutrition. If we feed ourselves unhealthy food over a period of years, our bodies will begin to deteriorate. We suffer from a higher incidence of degenerative diseases.

Dog Food

The same thing is true for our dogs. An unhealthy diet (one lacking in good nutrition) results in gradual deterioration and increased disease in our beloved companions.

Why do you think that so many of our dogs are dying from kidney failure, cancer, heart failure, and other degenerative diseases? These diseases in our pets were almost non-existent before the advent of commercial dog food.

You are probably like me. I want my dog to live a long, happy, and healthy life. He gives me unconditional love. He is completely dependent on me. I owe him the very best nutrition.

You can see a picture of my dog, Romeo at the bottom of the page. Romeo is the one with the beautiful hair. I'm the one who doesn't have much. Romeo is a 6 year-old mutt. He has been fed high quality, nutritious dog food for 5 years now. He is the healthiest, sweetest, happiest dog we have ever owned.

Even when a company puts out a dog food product that is somewhat nutritious, it is probably 6-18 months old if it is sold in a grocery store or pet supermarket.

If you are told by a pet product store owner or employee that the food is fresh, they are probably being dishonest or don't know what they are talking about.

A pet supermarket may or may not sell its dog food fairly soon after it is received. But they don't know how long it has remained in a warehouse before shipment to the retailer. As it ages, the food and its nutritional content deteriorate because of mold, bacteria, heat, and other reasons.

Another major factor in determining a good dog food is the cooking method. It is best that the food is cooked at a low temperature and for a short period of time. If you find a food that that claims it is high in nutrition but is cooked at a high temperature or for a long period of time, most of the nutrition has been destroyed.

You possibly don't believe me when I say that, "you may be slowly killing your dog." I encourage you to read the article, "What's Really in Pet Food" which has been prepared by the Animal Protection Institute. You will find some "eye opening" information. You can read this important article by clicking here.

As the article states, most of the food we provide our dogs is "unfit for human consumption."

This includes both meat and grains. Is that what we want to feed our dogs - food that is unfit for human consumption?

You can't properly evaluate the quality of a dog food by simply reading an ingredient label. The label may say it is a "premium" or "top quality" food, but it may be far from that.

So here is what I recommend in finding a good dog food:

1. The food should contain a high percentage of meat. Completely disregard any product that includes by-products.

Don't be concerned if you see chicken "meal" or fish "meal" as one of the ingredients. Chicken meal and fish meal are great ingredients as long as they comes from high quality chicken or fish.

For example, water is removed from the chicken to form chicken meal. So if you see "chicken meal" as the first item on the ingredient label, you know that there is a lot of chicken in the product. If "chicken" is listed as one of the top ingredients, it may be much lower on the list of ingredients when the water is removed. The manufacturer may be trying to mislead the consumer to think that chicken is one of the top ingredients.

2. Make sure that the food is very fresh. I have found that the best and freshest dog food comes from an online source that delivers a very fresh, nutritious food to your doorstep.

3. Check out the cooking methods. The food should not be cooked at a high temperature or for a long period of time.

4. The food should contain no corn, no wheat, no dairy, no artificial colors, no artificial preservatives, no steroids, and no hormones.

Feeding your dog high quality, nutritious dog food will enable your pet to have a healthy, happy, and longer life. I personally feel that I owe that much to my little guy.

Are You Feeding High Quality, Nutritious Dog Food? If Not, You May Be Killing Your Beloved Pet

Dog Food

Stomach Migraines

Anyone who has ever had a migraine will say they don't just happen in the head. The ill is generally the worst and a lot of painful part of a migraine, but there's a lot more. A good amount of migraineurs (men and women who suffer from migraines) will talk about photosensitivity (sensitivity to light), phonosensitivity (sensitivity to sound), scent sensitivity, gastric agony, cramping, and vomiting.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Occasionally, the ab signals show up without the other typical migraine warning signs. When they do, a patient is said to being experiencing a stomach migraine. A stomach migraine is soreness, ordinarily varying from mild to medium, within the stomach. The ache is either along the midline or unspecified and is often accompanied by ab tenderness, cramp-like spasms, bloating, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Sensitive Stomachs

Since belly ache may be caused by a wide collection of conditions, other causes ought to be ruled out before a determination is ordinarily made. In a superior stomach migraine, no gastric follow in for the agony can be identified. Migraineurs ought to let their healing practitioners know about their migraines when they encounter unspecified ab agony so that the doctor knows stomach migraine might be a possibility.

Ab migraines are mostly widespread in youngsters. Children who encounter stomach migraines often grow up to be migraineurs. Although abdominal migraine is not unheard of in adults, it is rare. Like a good amount of other kinds of migraine, it truly is also more widespread in ladies than in men.

Although the exact follow of stomach migraines is unknown, it is extremely likely being connected to serotonin insufficiency. Serotonin scantness has been connected in numerous studies to migraines, and 90% of the body's serotonin is produced inside the gastric system. Serotonin scantness triggers cascading waves of nerve reaction inside the brain when triggering a migraine and a similar course may well be in follow in the belly.

Stomach Migraines

Sensitive Stomachs