When you eat industrial or processed food, which is commonly referred to as "junk food" and which includes sweets, snacks, and high-fat foods, you can get a stomachache or stomach ache. Gastrointestinal upset, as well as constipation, can result from a lack of fiber, as junk food contains very little of it. Sugars, fats, and carbohydrates can also cause stomach pain, in part as a result of bloating. This article explains how to recover from these ailments after eating too much junk food.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treating Belly Pain Caused by Junk Food
Step 1. Drink a glass of water with lemon juice
The acidity of lemon juice can help speed up digestion and thus relieve stomach pain caused by eating too much junk food. Mix the juice of one lemon with about 300ml of hot water and sip it until you start to feel better.
If you prefer, you can add lemon juice to a cup of hot tea and sweeten it with honey, but be careful not to add too much as it can aggravate an upset stomach
Step 2. Drink a cup of chamomile tea
Chamomile has natural anti-inflammatory properties and relaxes the digestive system, thus promoting the advancement of food through the intestine. Boil the water and then leave the sachet to infuse for 5 minutes or until the temperature allows you to drink the chamomile tea. Sip it slowly until your stomach ache is gone.
- Chamomile promotes sleep, so it is a great remedy for gastrointestinal ailments if you are about to go to sleep.
- Always be cautious when drinking a hot drink. Test the temperature of the liquid with the spoon before you start sipping it straight from the cup to make sure it has cooled down sufficiently.
Step 3. Drink peppermint tea
Peppermint also promotes relaxation of the muscles of the digestive system, it also facilitates the flow of bile and therefore the digestive process. You can buy a product in a sachet at the supermarket or in leaves at a herbalist's shop or in health food stores. Infuse the sachet or leaves in boiling water, wait until the herbal tea is cold enough to drink and sip it until you start to feel better.
If you are lucky enough to have a peppermint plant in the garden or on the balcony, you can remove the most beautiful branches, hang them to dry and use them in herbal teas. That way, if you happen to overdo the junk food again, you can relieve your stomach pain with the mint you grew yourself
Step 4. Drink a cup of ginger tea
If you prefer, you can chew the candied ginger. In both forms, ginger is great for relieving the stomach.
Step 5. Treat stomach ache with heat
Some gastrointestinal disorders can be cured by applying a warm compress to the abdomen. The heat relaxes your muscles and helps you distract yourself from the pain. If you have a hot water bottle, fill it and keep it flat on your stomach. Try to relax and you will see that little by little the discomfort will diminish.
- Apply the warm compress, relax, and take a nap if you feel sleepy. When you wake up you will feel better.
- If you don't have a hot water bottle, you can fill a bottle of boiling water, wrap it in a towel, and hold it on your abdomen.
Step 6. Take a bismuth subsalicylate drug
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Bismuth subsalicylate is used, among other things, to treat stomach pain. As with any medicine, it is best to consult your doctor before taking bismuth subsalicylate if you are already taking other medications to avoid unwanted interactions.
Step 7. Drink rice tea
Boil 100 g of rice in a liter and a half of water for 15 minutes to create a "rice tea" that you can sip to relieve stomach ache. After 15 minutes, drain the rice, add a small amount of honey or sugar to the water, then let it cool and drink it hot.
Step 8. Try eating a piece of charred bread
Don't worry, eating a piece of burnt bread won't make your stomach ache worse; on the contrary, the burnt part of the bread will help you feel better. In fact, it seems that the burnt parts of the bread absorb the elements in the stomach that cause the feeling of discomfort.
You can spread a small amount of honey or jam on the charred bread to make it more palatable
Step 9. Treat stomach pain and stomach pain with apple cider vinegar
Diluted in water (in the proportion of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per 250 ml of hot water), apple cider vinegar can help alleviate some gastrointestinal disorders, in particular by reducing cramps, abdominal gas, but also the burning of stomach. Also add a spoonful of honey to make the mixture more palatable.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Belly Aches Caused by Junk Food
Step 1. Limit your junk food intake
Processed food, according to some, is designed to be difficult to digest. For this reason, but not only, it is important to avoid overdoing the quantities, since it can cause stomach upset due to the lack of fiber and the very high content of sugars, fats and carbohydrates.
- The weight of a portion and the corresponding nutritional values are indicated on the packaging of most foods. Weigh the food to eat only a portion and thus avoid a stomach ache.
- If possible, buy a single-serving package so as not to risk overdoing it.
Step 2. Find healthier substitutes for junk food
If you're craving something sweet, you can try satisfying your cravings with a ripe fruit or smoothie. When you are in the mood for a savory snack, you can opt for roasted and salted almonds or hazelnuts instead of the classic chips. If you eat it in moderation, junk food doesn't necessarily give you a stomach ache. Generally, gastrointestinal problems are related to frequency or quantity. Snack healthy if you feel hungry between meals to reduce how often you eat junk food. In general, you should be able to find a healthy substitute for any industrial food. Having healthy food on hand and eating it as a substitute for junk food will help prevent stomach ache or stomach ache that could come if you overdo the wrong foods.
- When you come home after shopping at the greengrocer's, immediately cut the fresh fruit and vegetables, place them in a container and keep them in the refrigerator, ready to eat when you feel hungry.
- Make a mix of dried and dehydrated fruit to eat when you feel like a sweet and sour snack.
Step 3. Avoid drinks that can make your stomach ache
Replacing drinks that can cause intestinal problems with water is a good way to avoid getting sick, especially if you are accompanying a serving of junk food. Coffee, alcohol, and fizzy drinks can make you sick when you consume them alone and, even more so, if you intend to combine them with junk food.
In particular, fizzy drinks can make you sick to your stomach because of the sugars and other ingredients they contain
Advice
- See your doctor if your stomach pain doesn't go away. It is possible that you have an ulcer or other medical condition that needs to be treated with medication.
- Take an antacid and lie down for a few minutes in a comfortable position. When you have an upset stomach, you can usually find relief by lying completely down or, conversely, completely curled up.
