Feeling Sick and Calorie Consumption

Hi Guys:

I just had a question on healthy Calorie Consumption when you're feeling sick.

Starting yesterday it seems I have symptoms of either Food Poisoning or Stomach Flu.  I feel very Nausious (but haven't thrown up) - but yesterday I have had bad cases of Diarrhea (gross sorry).  I went to the bathroom almost 10 times in a span of 4 or 5 hours.

I have been rehydrating myself with some Hydration Salts/water.

But the real question is on Calorie Consumption.  I know to be healthy (and still be on my diet plan) I should be eating 1500-1700 calories per day.  Only right now I have no appetite everytime I think of food I feel like throwing up...even if I drink my water I feel like throwing up...

Should I be forcing myself to eat to make the required calories?  Or don't eat of I don't feel like it.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

-Aaron

In my opinion, (although I am not a doctor) I think you should eat what you normally do, try to add some extra Vitamin C and Fiber in, perhaps it can help rid of your stomach issues. Good luck!

Honestly, as long as you don't have any form of an ED, if you really don't feel like eating anything for a day or two I wouldn't worry too much about it.  I had a stomach flu in April and there were a couple of days I only ate about 300-400 calories because dry toast and a little soup were all I could handle. 

Make sure you get plenty of fluids and stay hydrated.  Don't worry about the calories for a couple of days.  One or two days of undereating (because you're sick) won't put you in starvation mode). 

Don't worry about calories while sick, as karozel said.

Once your stomach settles, doctors (I am not one) often recommend the BRAT diet - Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast. Saltines always make me feel a little better, and are usually the first thing I feel up to eating when I have a stomach bug. And of course plenty of water.

As your appetite returns, you'll start being able to handle your normal foods.

Just focus on getting better....If you can try to stomach some fluids like chicken or vegtable stock.....any juices....or even popsicles or jello....don't worry about counting calories just eat whatever you can. Hope you start feeling better soon.

Whenever I feel like my stomach is really not doing so great, I rely on juice because it's way easier. Otherwise, don't force anything down. You'll be hungry when you feel better!