Food poisoning usually clears up in 24 to 48 hours. That doesn’t make it any less miserable while you’re stuck on the bathroom floor. Here’s how to speed things up and avoid it next time.
1. Ensure That Your Order’s Fully Cooked
Check before you eat. Cut into that steak, chicken, or burger and look at the inside. Too much pink or red in chicken? Send it back. Burgers need to hit 160°F internally, chicken needs 165°F. If you’re squeamish about sending food back, get over it. A moment of awkwardness beats 48 hours of regret.
Doesn’t apply to sushi, obviously.
2. Rest and Hydrate
You’re going to be wiped out. Sleep as much as your body wants and sip water constantly. Sip, don’t chug. Your stomach’s already angry.
Gatorade or ginger ale work too, but check that the ginger ale actually contains real ginger (most don’t). Hot green tea or chamomile can settle things down. Avoid over-the-counter meds unless you’re treating specific symptoms. Most anti-diarrhea stuff just traps the bad bacteria in your system longer.
3. Work Your Way Back To A Normal Diet (slowly)
Start with bland carbs. Saltines, toast, plain rice, clear broth. Eat small amounts every few hours instead of trying to power through a full meal. Once you can keep that down for 12 hours, add in bananas, applesauce, or plain chicken.
Don’t rush it. Going straight back to pizza and wings will restart the whole nightmare.
Cross-contamination at home is another common culprit. Raw meat goes on the bottom shelf of your fridge, never above ready-to-eat stuff. Wash your hands after touching raw poultry. Sanitize cutting boards and counters immediately after prepping meat, don’t just rinse them.