To treat food poisoning at home, it's important to rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and to promote the elimination of toxins produced by the harmful bacteria. You should eat a light, easily digestible diet to prevent symptoms from worsening.

Another tip is to take activated charcoal, as described by your doctor. This substance is capable of binding to toxins to it, which facilitate their elimination from the body and quickly improve symptoms. Learn more about the symptoms of food poisoning and how it can present.

Food poisoning is a condition that occurs when you eat food or drink that is contaminated with harmful toxins from microorganisms like bacteria or fungi. Symptoms appear within a few hours of consuming the contaminated food, and include diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps.

Tips for food poisoning

Ways to treat food poisoning include:

1. Drinking lots of fluids

Drinking lots of fluids when combating food poisoning is very important because it prevents dehydration and replenishes the fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. It speeds up recovery from this malaise by promoting the elimination of toxins that cause symptoms.

You can opt for water, tea, natural fruit juice, coconut water, or electrolyte solutions, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or grocery store. Learn about other home remedies for poisoning that you can prepare.

2. Rest

Rest is essential to help treat food poisoning, as the body needs to conserve energy. Energy levels can reduce significantly due to fluid and nutrient loss from vomiting and diarrhea, and therefore resting can help to prevent dehydration.

3. Eat a light diet

Once the vomiting and diarrhea have subsided or resolved, you should eat a light, easily digestible diet to avoid worsening of symptoms, starting with chicken soup, mashed potatoes, creamed vegetables or boiled fish.

It's also important to avoid processed, fatty and spicy foods, and to opt for fruits, vegetables, lean cuts of meats and fish that are thoroughly cooked.

4. Take charcoal

Charcoal is a remedy that works by absorbing toxins present in the digestive tract. This can help to reduce symptoms and intestinal gas.

For charcoal to have a therapeutic effect, you are advised 1 capsule of charcoal per day for 2 days. Read more about how activated charcoal works and how to take it.

Check-out the food poisoning medication that your doctor may prescribe to help speed-up recovery.