Can I Drink Soup During Stomach Pain? Your Guide to Soothing Sips

October 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 article on WebMD, consuming clear broth is a good option when your stomach hurts, especially when other foods are hard to keep down. The question of can I drink soup during stomach pain? is common, and the answer largely depends on the specific type of soup and the cause of your digestive discomfort.

Quick Summary

Yes, certain soups can be beneficial for an upset stomach by aiding hydration and providing electrolytes. It is best to choose bland, low-fat broths while avoiding creamy, spicy, or high-fiber options that can exacerbate symptoms.

Key Points

Clear Broth is Recommended: Focus on clear, broth-based soups like chicken, vegetable, or bone broth for hydration and essential electrolytes.
Avoid High-Fat Soups: Creamy or greasy soups containing dairy or excessive fats can be hard to digest and worsen stomach pain.
Choose Bland Ingredients: Opt for simple, easy-to-digest components like white rice, cooked chicken, and tender vegetables, rather than high-fiber or spicy additives.
Ginger and Peppermint are Soothing: Herbal teas made from ginger or peppermint can help calm nausea and abdominal pain, though peppermint should be avoided by individuals with GERD.
Watch for Worsening Symptoms: If stomach pain persists or worsens, especially with signs of severe dehydration, seek prompt medical advice.
Hydration is Key: Replenishing fluids and electrolytes is a top priority, which broth-based soups and clear liquids can effectively help with.

The Soothing Power of Broth

When your stomach is upset, liquids are often easier to tolerate than solid foods. Broth-based soups are particularly beneficial because they help prevent dehydration, especially if you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. During digestive distress, the body can lose essential minerals like sodium and potassium, which plain broths can help replenish. Furthermore, bone broth contains the amino acid glutamine, which plays a key role in maintaining intestinal health and function. The warmth of a simple broth can also be comforting and relaxing for the gastrointestinal tract.

Here are some examples of easily digestible, broth-based soups recommended for an upset stomach:

Clear Chicken Broth: A classic for a reason, providing protein and hydration.
Simple Vegetable Broth: Made with boiled carrots, celery, and potatoes, it offers easy-to-digest nutrients.
Miso Soup: A light, fermented broth that can be gentle on the stomach.
Bone Broth: Rich in minerals and glutamine, it supports gut health.

What to Look for in a Stomach-Friendly Soup

To ensure your soup helps rather than harms, focus on these characteristics:

Blandness is Best

Opt for recipes with minimal seasoning. Strong spices or flavors can irritate an already sensitive stomach lining. Simple herbs like a little fresh parsley can add flavor without causing discomfort. When adding ingredients, start with small portions and bland varieties like white rice or tiny pasta (pastina), which are easy to digest.

Prioritize Low-Fat Content

High-fat foods are much harder for your body to digest, especially when your stomach is inflamed or irritated. This is why creamy soups, such as cream of tomato or cream of chicken, should be avoided during a stomach ache. Instead, focus on clear, light broths that provide hydration and a gentle source of energy without overtaxing your digestive system.

Boost Electrolytes and Hydration

If you've been vomiting or have diarrhea, staying hydrated is crucial. Broth-based soups are excellent for this because they are primarily water and contain electrolytes that you may have lost. Adding a pinch of salt to your soup can help replace lost sodium, an important electrolyte.

Soups and Ingredients to Avoid

Just as some soups can help, others can make stomach pain significantly worse. It is important to know what to steer clear of until your symptoms subside.

Stay Away from Creamy Soups

Any soup that relies on heavy cream, whole milk, or a roux for thickness will be high in fat and difficult to digest. Dairy products can be particularly problematic if you are temporarily lactose intolerant, which can occur after a stomach bug.

Skip the Spicy and Greasy

Spicy seasonings like chili flakes or peppers can further irritate the stomach lining and cause more discomfort. Similarly, greasy or fatty meats, fried foods, and highly processed ingredients should be avoided, as they are tough on a fragile digestive system.

Limit High-Fiber Ingredients

While fiber is a crucial part of a healthy diet, consuming large amounts of insoluble fiber during a stomach ache can worsen symptoms like diarrhea. Foods like whole grains, nuts, and raw vegetables should be limited initially. Instead, opt for cooked, soft vegetables or pureed soups.

A Comparison: Good Soups vs. Bad Soups for Stomach Pain


Feature	Good Soups for Stomach Pain	Bad Soups for Stomach Pain
Soup Base	Clear broths (chicken, vegetable, bone)	Creamy broths, thick purees, chili
Fat Content	Low-fat, minimal added oil	High-fat ingredients (heavy cream, butter)
Seasoning	Bland, lightly salted, ginger, turmeric	Spicy peppers, heavy seasoning blends
Ingredients	Plain chicken, white rice, cooked carrots, soft potatoes	High-fiber vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), whole grains, processed meat
Digestibility	Easy to digest, gentle on the gut	Difficult to digest, can cause bloating

Hydration and Herbal Remedies

Beyond broth, other fluids can help soothe stomach pain and nausea. Herbal teas, such as ginger tea and peppermint tea, are well-regarded for their anti-inflammatory and calming effects on the digestive system. Ginger is known to be particularly effective against nausea, while peppermint's menthol can help relax stomach muscles.

Note: If you have acid reflux or GERD, peppermint can relax the lower esophageal sphincter and potentially worsen your symptoms, so it's best to avoid it.

For additional support and resources, you can explore information from trusted medical sources like the Cleveland Clinic on Foods for Upset Stomach.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While an upset stomach is often temporary, some symptoms require medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if you experience severe symptoms like persistent, severe pain, or signs of dehydration. Seeking medical attention is also recommended if your pain lasts for more than a few days, despite making dietary adjustments.

Conclusion

In short, you can indeed drink soup during stomach pain, provided you choose the right kind. Opt for clear, broth-based soups with low-fat, bland ingredients to aid hydration and provide gentle nourishment. By avoiding creamy, spicy, and high-fiber soups, you can give your digestive system the rest it needs to recover. Staying mindful of your diet and staying well-hydrated are key steps toward feeling better quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear broths like simple chicken or vegetable broth are the best options. You can also consider miso soup or bone broth for their gut-friendly properties.

Avoid high-fat, creamy ingredients, spicy seasonings, high-fiber vegetables, and whole grains. Stick to bland, easy-to-digest additions like white rice or cooked, soft vegetables.

Yes, you can add plain, low-fat proteins like finely shredded, skinless chicken breast. It is important to avoid fatty, fried, or highly processed meats.

No, many commercial ginger ales contain very little real ginger and a high amount of sugar. Fresh ginger tea is a much more effective and natural remedy for nausea.

Broth-based soups have a high water content and contain electrolytes, such as sodium, which can be lost through vomiting or diarrhea. They help replenish these fluids and minerals to prevent dehydration.

Yes, pureed vegetable soups, especially those made with easily digestible vegetables like carrots, pumpkins, and potatoes, are often well-tolerated. Ensure they are low in fat and not too spicy.

Bone broth contains glutamine, an amino acid that can help maintain the intestinal flora and function, which supports gut health during recovery.