*Warning, this contains graphic descriptions of real life experiences with “nausea and vomiting of pregnancy” (which is the technical medical name). Reader discretion advised. Particularly if you don’t have kids yet.
You know that feeling when you’ve had the flu for like a week and you are staring to feel sort of “normal” again? But you’re still very cautiously optimistic about it? Like, you’re suddenly ravenous, but you’re still afraid to eat anything but chicken noodle soup for another day? And you feel like sitting up, but there’s just a tiny lingering of the dizziness, but you actually got dressed today?
That’s kind of how I’m starting to feel. Only it wasn’t a week of the flu, it was like, 10 weeks of … well… nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (aka “morning” sickness). I think I can finally start to find the humor in it. Maybe. So as a guide for others, I’ve decided to write down some of my findings. Namely, the best, and worst things to throw up.
The Worst:
5. Thick and chunky things. This includes meat (even though you’re supposed to be trying to get as much protein as you can), heavy breads, other things you ate without any broth or liquid. Not only will you be hurling, you’ll also be choking. Not fun.
4. Milk. Ever seen Anchor Man? “Milk was a bad choice”? Yeah. It’s as bad as you’re imagining.
3. Spicy things. Just don’t do it if there’s any chance it’s going to come back up. It will burn twice as bad the second time. And your nose too.
2. Grapes. I know, when you’re dehydrated, you’re going to want fruit because it tastes good and it’s full of water, but not water. They’re so sweet and so easy to eat. But they will be the most sour thing you have ever up-chucked. They will be so sour they will make the water you swish after taste like someone dissolved a cup of sugar in it. Yeah, water will be sweet in comparison. Super sweet. No grapes.
1. Medicine. Particularly pills. Tylenol for that headache that’s making you naseaus. Unisom and B6 (which taken regularly is supposed to reduce nausea in pregnancy). Anti-Nausea pills. Yeah. They’re bitter. They make water taste sweet too. Only in the worst way.
The Best:
5. Mild foods. You know the ones you’re craving anyways. Salty or even slightly sweet. Carbs. As long as they’re accompanied by #1, you should be ok. Just be sure to chew well and drink lots with it. Liquid makes them easier to heave.
4. Juice. Particularly if it’s a mild juice, diluted or something like gatorade. It will have some flavor (similar to the grapes) but much milder. Plus, no chunks to choke on.
3. Crackers. Especially if used in combination with #1. They have a relatively mild flavor and tend not to be too chunky.
2. Broth and broth based soups. It’s easiest to drink/eat and it’s easiest to come back up. It has a bit more of a taste than #1, but it’s not as bad as it could be! It could be grapes.
1. Water. When your nauseous, it’s the last thing you’re going to want, I know. Especially if it’s following the previously mentioned sour grapes. But it’s really the easiest thing to come back up. And it has relatively little taste (in comparison to other things to come back up). At times, cold water was worse, so I’m not afraid to admit I drank room temperature water and even microwaved it once in a while.
The moral of the story, lots of liquids when you feel the urge. At least they’ll dilute the worst of it. And NO GRAPES!