Understanding Food Poisoning: Causes, Symptoms, and Healing Tips

“It follows the consumption of one or more contaminated foods by bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella or Listeria” indicates the Pasteur Institute of Lille (source 1). It should be noted that these foods may have been in contact with the bacteria before, during or after the preparation of a dish, due to a problem with cooking, storage or cleaning of the food. “Generally, these are fresh foods such as fish, meat, “eggs, shellfish or dairy products” continues Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen, nutritionist. He adds: “Consuming non-potable water can also explain food poisoning.

The symptoms of food poisoning are several and vary depending on the situation: nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, sometimes fever or even headaches. “They appear quickly, at most a few hours after ingestion of the contaminated food,” adds Dr. Cohen.

“To recover quickly from food poisoning, you will need to favor simple, lightly seasoned dishes (easy to digest) and that will not further irritate the stomach or intestines,” says Dr. Cohen. These include, for example, steamed potatoes, semolina, white rice, lean meat such as turkey or chicken, cooked fish, pasta or soup. It will also be a question of consuming moderate portions and refraining from cooking with fats (oil, butter, etc.)

“Raw fruits should be banned in favor of boiled or cooked fruits such as compotes, baked apples, etc.,” recommends Dr. Cohen. The same goes for raw vegetables, which are best steamed or in soup, for example.

“Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, etc.) should also be avoided because of the fiber they contain, fibers that promote intestinal transit and therefore diarrhea,” explains nutritionist Jean-Michel Cohen.

If after food poisoning, breads can be a good optionHowever, it will be important to choose them carefully. White bread, for example, will be recommended because it is easy to digest since it is low in fiber. “Preferably toast it for better digestive tolerance,” adds Dr. Cohen. Sandwich bread will also be part of the game because of its lightness. However, we will favor its versions without seeds and without added fiber. Without forgetting these two alternatives, unsalted rusks or crackers.

On the other hand, whole grain or cereal breads should be avoided because they are far too rich in fibre and could irritate an already sensitive stomach and exacerbate diarrhoea.

During and after food poisoning, it is generally recommended to be careful with dairy products because they can also be difficult to digest and aggravate gastrointestinal symptoms. “However, certain types of dairy products, such as hard cheeses, can be consumed in moderation, especially if you tolerate them well,” says Dr. Cohen. Examples include Gouda, Parmesan, Mimolette, etc. “They are salty and therefore good for retaining water,” continues the nutritionist. Be careful, however, if you feel discomfort after consuming dairy products, it is best to remove them from your diet until your digestion returns to normal. This advice also applies to any other food ingested.

“So be careful to drink plenty of water and/oral rehydration solutions to compensate for fluid losses caused by vomiting and/or diarrhea.” And if the temptation of herbal teas is felt, prefer those of thyme and mint for their stimulating properties that they have on the digestion.

Ancestral paste made from soybeans with the addition of rice or barley and sea salt… Such is miso soup which has more than one virtue to its name. “It regenerates the intestinal flora thanks to the probiotics it contains, helps and facilitates digestion” underlines Dr. Cohen. And as if that were not enough, it also helps to maintain satisfactory hydration, crucial during food poisoning. Its sodium content will help to restore the electrolytic balance, in other words: the balance that our body must maintain between the water it contains and the minerals it needs!

Following food poisoning, the best thing to do is to stay at home:

“Painkillers can also help relieve stomach aches or headaches,” recalls the Pasteur Institute of Lille (source 1), “provided of course that the quantities recommended on the instructions are respected.” And if the symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, consulting a doctor is strongly recommended.doctor who may, if necessary, also prescribe antidiarrheal or antiemetic medications.

Although they share similar symptoms (nausea, vomiting diarrhea, abdominal pain, food poisoning and gastroenteritis are two very distinct conditions. They have, to begin with,distinct origins: Gastroenteritis is usually linked to a viral infection whereas food poisoning is the direct consequence of consuming contaminated food or water.
Another aspect to take into account, the number of sick people: “If several people present the same symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, etc.) a few hours after eating the same meal, food poisoning should be considered,” says Dr. Cohen.

here are some simple actions to adopt on a daily basis recommended by the Pasteur Institute of Lille (source 1):

• Respect the cold chain. “Be careful not to freeze food that has already been defrosted, and have a cooler or freezer bag ready to transport fresh produce.”
• Clean thoroughly worktops and food. “You can also choose to use two cutting boards: one for meat and fish, and the other for vegetables. This way, you limit the risk of transmitting bacteria between foods when preparing your meals.”

• Finally, pay particular attention to cooking food. For meats such as pork or chicken, check that they are cooked through before eating them.