Nausea is the uneasy sensation of discomfort in the upper stomach, typically preceding vomiting, but not necessarily so. Nausea can be short-lived and severe or prolonged and mild. A nausea attack is also referred to as a qualm. Nausea is in fact not an illness in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying medical condition. The cause of nausea could be related to the stomach but in many cases it is not. Physical factors or psychological ones may cause nausea making a diagnosis of the condition difficult.

Symptoms of Nausea
The main symptoms of nausea are a feeling of unease along with the urge to vomit. Nausea could be accompanied by symptoms such as stomach pain, anxiety, sweating, dizziness, weakness, dry heaves, and retching. The feeling of nausea may seem to originate from the stomach, but in fact begins in the brain. As a result, several of the symptoms may be psychological in nature.

Diet for Nausea
Nausea and vomiting require a short-term change in your diet until you have recuperated completely and the symptoms of nausea have disappeared.

Only small amounts of food are recommended on a diet for nausea. If you can manage to keep down anything, opt for the popular BRAT combination of foods. BRAT is an acronym for Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast. These are the best foods to have when you suffer from nausea and vomiting (and diarrhea as well). They are mild enough not to upset the stomach further and bland enough not to put extra pressure on the digestive system. BRAT diet foods are also full of nutrients and fiber necessary to reduce the feeling of nausea and vomiting.

If you suffer from nausea, avoid all foods that are spicy and oily. Junk foods and snacks high in fat and sugar should also be eliminated from your diet. Luckily it won?t be difficult to cut out any of these items as you will most likely also suffer from a loss of appetite along with the nausea.

If vomiting is accompanying the nausea, make sure you hydrate properly and drink plenty of liquids. Include juices, water, clear soups, jello, tea without milk, and flat sodas to prevent dehydration. Sucking on a hard candy or ice Popsicle can help relieve the feeling of uneasiness during a nausea attack. Once the nausea has passed, you can switch slowly back to your regular diet. Introduce cooked fruits, vegetables and eggs into your daily meals and once these are retained, you can move on to meats such as chicken and turkey.

Foods to avoid:
Greasy, oily, and spicy foods
Milk and dairy products
Alcohol
Caffeine
Raw vegetables like corn, cabbage, onions and beets
Salmon and sardines
Pork and veal
Fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, cherries, berries, and figs