Is Tomato Soup Good For An Upset Stomach?

If you have a troubled belly that’s making noises and feels upset, you might think about having some tomato soup. A warm bowl of it can be very cozy. But is it really okay to eat tomato soup when your stomach doesn’t feel good, or could it be a bad idea?

Why Some People Feel Better Eating Tomato Soup

Tomato soup can be calming for many people when their stomach is upset for a couple of reasons:

1. It Feels Comforting

For lots of folks, tomato soup brings back warm memories. Feeling comforted just by thinking of tomato soup can actually make your stomach feel a bit better through something called the placebo effect. Your brain can make you think you’re feeling less stomach pain.

2. Not Much Fiber

Tomato soup usually doesn’t have a lot of fiber, especially compared to other soups with lots of veggies or beans. If you’re dealing with a stomach bug or food poisoning that’s causing problems like diarrhea, a low-fiber broth like in tomato soup can be gentle on your tummy.

3. It Adds Hydration

Drinking enough fluids is very important when your stomach is upset. Tomato soup is mostly liquid, which can help keep you hydrated, sometimes even better than just water if you’re feeling sick.

4. It’s Warm

Hot drinks and foods can make your stomach feel calmer. Since tomato soup is often served hot, it can help relax the muscles in your stomach.

5. The Salt Factor

A lot of tomato soup recipes ask for salt. This is good because salt can help bring back the electrolytes your body loses if you’ve been throwing up or have had diarrhea. Also, the salt in the soup might help your stomach work better.

Why Tomato Soup Might Not be Good for an Upset Stomach

Even though tomato soup has some points in its favor for helping calm an upset stomach, it also has things in it that could bother a sensitive digestive system:

1. It’s Acidic

Tomatoes have a lot of acid in them. That means eating tomatoes can make some conditions worse, like ulcers or stomach lining irritation. If you have acid reflux, tomato soup might not be the best choice.

2. Contains FODMAPs

Tomatoes have sugars and fibers called FODMAPs that can make digestion uncomfortable for some people, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They might choose to avoid foods high in FODMAPs.

3. The Fat

Many canned or ready-made tomato soups include cream to make them thick and creamy. Dairy fats like cream and butter can be hard to digest for some people who have stomach issues.

4. Skins and Seeds of Tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes have a type of fiber called insolubles in their skin and seeds that some people find irritating. If the soup isn’t strained to remove these bits, they could upset your stomach further.

5. Onions and Garlic

Many recipes for tomato soup include onions and garlic for flavor. However, these two can also have the types of FODMAPs that might cause gas and swelling in the belly.

How to Make Tomato Soup More Gentle on Your Stomach

If you really want the comfort of tomato soup when your stomach feels off, but you want to make sure it doesn’t upset you more, you can try some changes:

• Choose types of tomatoes like cherry tomatoes that have less fructose, which is better for those who can’t handle high-FODMAP foods.
• After you blend the soup, use a strainer to remove all the solid pieces and skins.
• Instead of dairy milk, use alternatives like coconut milk or lactose-free milk.
• Don’t put in onions, garlic, or other things that have a lot of FODMAPs.
• Mix a bit of baking soda into the soup to cut down on the acid.
• Serve the soup warm, not super hot, to avoid irritating your stomach.
• If the taste of tomato is too strong, add more broth to dilute it.
• Put in a little bit of yogurt to give your soup some beneficial probiotics.

Is It Okay to Have Tomato Soup with an Upset Stomach?

In the end, whether tomato soup will help or make an upset stomach worse depends on the person. If you have problems like gastric ulcers, GERD (a type of long-term heartburn), IBS, or food sensitivities, tomato soup might not be the best choice. It might cause more trouble. But if you only have a light stomach ache, a warm bowl of tomato soup might be just the thing to help. Always listen to your own body and how it reacts.

Tomato soup can make some people feel better when they’re sick because it reminds them of feeling safe and cozy. But if your belly doesn’t like it, it’s best to eat soups that are more plain and based on broth instead. If you’re careful with the ingredients and make a few changes to the recipe, tomato soup can be comforting. However, when you’re not sure what will help, it’s safer to avoid foods that make your symptoms worse.