Does Ready Salted Crisp Help with Nausea?

December 6, 2025 •

3 min read

According to health advice from the NHS, salty snacks such as crisps can help replace lost salt and soothe an upset stomach. This long-held folk remedy begs the question: does ready salted crisp help with nausea and if so, what is the science behind it?

Quick Summary

The consumption of bland, salty, and starchy snacks, including ready salted crisps, can aid in alleviating nausea by absorbing excess stomach acid and replenishing depleted electrolytes. This is a common and effective strategy for managing upset stomachs and morning sickness. Other bland foods and hydration are also key components of relief.

Key Points

Ready salted crisps can help with nausea: The bland, starchy nature of crisps can absorb excess stomach acid and soothe an upset stomach.
Salt replenishes electrolytes: The sodium in ready salted crisps can help replace lost electrolytes, especially after vomiting.
Low odor and easy to digest: Bland, low-odor snacks like plain crisps are less likely to trigger nausea compared to strong-smelling or greasy foods.
Part of a broader strategy: While helpful, crisps should be combined with other remedies like staying hydrated and eating small, frequent, bland meals for the best effect.
Not a cure for serious conditions: For severe, chronic, or worsening nausea, a medical professional should be consulted to determine the underlying cause.

The Science Behind Salty Snacks and Nausea Relief

Nausea can be a debilitating symptom caused by a variety of factors, from morning sickness to viral infections and motion sickness. For decades, salty snacks like ready salted crisps and crackers have been a go-to remedy for many people. But is there a legitimate scientific reason for this, or is it just a placebo effect?

The primary reason bland, salty, and starchy foods can help with nausea is their ability to absorb stomach acid. When the stomach is empty, gastric acid can slosh around and cause irritation, which can trigger or worsen feelings of queasiness. Consuming a small amount of a dry, starchy food like a crisp can help soak up this excess acid, providing immediate relief. Furthermore, these foods are easy to digest and do not have strong, overwhelming smells or tastes that could exacerbate the nausea.

The Role of Salt and Electrolytes

The salt content in ready salted crisps plays a significant role, especially in cases of nausea and vomiting where electrolytes may be lost. Vomiting can lead to dehydration and a loss of essential minerals like sodium. Consuming salty snacks helps to stimulate thirst, encouraging you to drink more fluids, and helps to replenish the body's salt levels. This is also why doctors often recommend broths or sports drinks with electrolytes for people suffering from sickness.

Crisps vs. Other Bland Foods: A Comparison


Feature	Ready Salted Crisps	Saltine Crackers	Plain Toast	Rice Cakes
Salt Content	Contains sodium, helps replenish electrolytes.	Contains sodium, helps replenish electrolytes.	Very little salt, unless added separately.	Minimal salt, often needs extra seasoning.
Texture	Crunchy and dry.	Dry and flaky.	Dry and absorbent.	Crunchy and low-density.
Absorption	Good for absorbing stomach acid.	Highly effective for absorbing acid.	Excellent for absorbing stomach acid.	Effective, but less starchy than crackers.
Smell	Mild, low odor.	Minimal odor.	Minimal odor.	Minimal odor.
Fat Content	Higher fat content due to frying.	Low fat.	Very low fat.	Very low fat.
Portability	Excellent, individually wrapped options.	Excellent, easy to carry.	Less portable, needs preparation.	Good, easy to carry.

Factors to Consider When Using Crisps for Nausea

While a few ready salted crisps can offer comfort, it's important to approach this remedy with caution. Not all crisps are created equal. High-fat, greasy, or heavily seasoned crisps should be avoided, as their strong smells and fat content can actually worsen nausea. Stick to the plainest, most mildly salted varieties.

Here is a list of other strategies to manage nausea effectively:

Stay Hydrated: Sip small amounts of cold, clear fluids throughout the day. Water, flat ginger ale, or electrolyte-rich drinks are best.
Eat Small, Frequent Meals: An empty stomach can worsen nausea, but large meals can overwhelm a sensitive digestive system. Eating small portions frequently can help regulate your stomach.
Embrace Bland Foods: Besides crisps, other bland and starchy options like plain toast, rice, and crackers are excellent choices for settling your stomach.
Try Ginger: Ginger is a well-researched natural remedy for nausea. Try ginger tea, ginger ale, or even ginger biscuits for relief.
Avoid Strong Smells: Cooking odors, perfumes, and other strong scents can trigger nausea. Opt for cold foods, which have less aroma.
Rest Up: Lying down immediately after eating can slow digestion. Instead, rest in a comfortable, upright position.

When to Seek Medical Advice

While reaching for a bag of ready salted crisps is a harmless tactic for mild nausea, it's not a substitute for medical care. If nausea is chronic, severe, or accompanied by other serious symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or severe abdominal cramping, you should seek immediate medical attention. For ongoing issues, consulting with a doctor or dietitian is recommended to determine the underlying cause.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the simple act of eating a ready salted crisp can indeed help with nausea for several reasons. The blandness, crunchiness, and mild saltiness work together to absorb stomach acids, replenish lost electrolytes, and avoid triggering sensitive smells or tastes. However, it is a temporary, symptomatic remedy, and for true relief, it's best combined with other hydration and dietary management strategies. It's a classic home remedy that, for many, provides a little bit of salty comfort during a queasy moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many pregnant women find that bland, salty snacks like ready salted crisps and crackers help settle their stomachs and manage morning sickness.

Salty foods, particularly bland ones, can absorb excess gastric acid and replenish electrolytes lost through vomiting or dehydration, which helps alleviate the feeling of nausea.

No, it is best to stick to plain, ready salted crisps. Greasy, fatty, or heavily flavored varieties can contain strong smells and fat that may worsen nausea.

The starch in crisps helps absorb stomach acid, while the salt aids in restoring lost electrolytes and promotes hydration by increasing thirst.

Eat a small handful slowly and consider sipping a cold, clear beverage alongside it. Avoid eating too many at once, as overeating can overwhelm a sensitive stomach.

Other bland, starchy, and salty foods such as saltine crackers, plain toast, pretzels, and broths can also be effective remedies for nausea.

Both are important. Sipping clear fluids slowly is crucial for hydration, while eating small amounts of bland food like crisps can help settle the stomach by absorbing acid. Start with small sips and tiny bites.