Health Topics A-Z

How Can I Prevent Nausea?

If you are going through a time when you feel nauseous, here are some tips:

• Stay away from foods that are hard to digest.
• If the smell of hot food makes you feel ill, try eating cool or cold meals.
• Eat six small meals each day instead of three large ones.
• Resting after eating — with your head higher than your feet — can help.
• Some people feel nauseous when they wake up in the morning. It can help to eat some lean meat or cheese before going to bed. Or have some plain crackers by the side of the bed, and eat a few before getting up.
• Drink at least six glasses of water a day.
• Avoid fluids during meals.

How Can I Prevent Vomiting?

• Sit down or lie in a propped-up position. Physical activity will make you feel worse.
• Drink a small amount of a sweet beverage such as soda pop. Drinks with sugar in them help calm the stomach. However, avoid acidic drinks like orange juice or grapefruit juice.
• Have a Popsicle or a similar sweetensed-ice treat.