There’s a lot that can cause a stomachache. It might be you’ve come down with a flu bug. It might be digestive issues caused by diet or medication, or even that you’re super stressed. (Stress absolutely affects your body physically.)

Whatever the cause, one of the most common questions people ask me is what to eat when their stomach’s upset.

I totally get why they’re asking. Most of the upset stomach remedies people are used to are not compliant with the way we eat on Code Red. For example:

Soda (like 7-Up), crackers, toast, and the noodles in chicken noodle soup.

They all feed into inflammation, which feeds into disease and illness.

In other words, that stuff is the absolute LAST thing you wanna be consuming when you’re sick, regardless of the Code Red Lifestyle™.

If you’re stomach’s upset – especially from a flu bug – and you’re on Code Red, here are some ideas.

Number 1 – Don’t eat!

The idea you should eat when a flu bug’s given you an upset stomach doesn’t make much sense, when you think about it. You can’t keep anything down, so you try and eat anyway? Heck no!

Give your body a break from the digestion, so it can devote all its energy to fighting off whatever’s bothering you.

I know it’s a paradigm shift. But the next time you get a stomach bug, think about it. Drink plenty of water, get extra sleep if you can, and don’t force yourself to eat food you can’t even keep down.

Number 2 – Keep it mild.

If you absolutely have to eat something, here are a couple mild, Code Red-approved items you can consume:

** Bone broth or chicken broth. Think of it like chicken soup without the noodles.

** Something bland, like chicken meat or avocado.

If your stomach is upset for a reason other than a stomach bug, these suggestions may or may not work for you, as the cause of the upset stomach is absolutely a factor.

But if the cause is a 24-hour stomach bug, remember: Eating is not “required.” Stay hydrated and give your stomach a little time off, and it may even feel better sooner rather than later!