Is White Rice Good for Stomach Aches?

Partly: plain, well-cooked white rice may be easier to tolerate during a mild, temporary stomach ache because it is low in fiber, but it is not a proven pain treatment.

When might white rice help a stomach ache?

White rice can be a reasonable short-term food if your discomfort is mild and you feel able to eat. It is not necessary to eat it, and whether it suits you depends on the cause of the pain and what you can tolerate.

For other options, see the best foods for stomach aches. If your pain is severe or worsening, seek medical care rather than trying to manage it with white rice alone.

A small amount of a familiar food may feel more manageable than a full meal. The goal is comfortable nourishment, not forcing yourself to eat when you feel too sick.

How might white rice be easier on your stomach?

White rice has most of its bran removed, so it generally contains less fiber than brown rice. Its mild flavor and soft texture when thoroughly cooked may also make it easier for some people to eat when their stomach feels unsettled.

That does not mean white rice coats or heals the stomach, neutralizes stomach acid, or treats the cause of an ache. Abdominal pain has many possible causes, and a food that feels comfortable for one person may not feel comfortable for another.

You also do not need to avoid every other food because your stomach hurts. As your appetite returns, a variety of foods you tolerate can help you get the nutrients white rice alone does not provide.

What is the evidence for white rice and stomach aches?

We found no studies that directly test white rice for stomach aches. The suggestion to use it rests on its characteristics and common dietary advice, not evidence that white rice relieves abdominal pain, shortens an illness, or works better than another food you tolerate.

White rice is sometimes mentioned as part of the BRAT approach: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. A strict diet limited to those foods is not necessary and can leave out nutrients if continued. Return to a varied diet as you can tolerate it.

Even evidence about a food and diarrhea would not establish that it treats every kind of stomach ache. Your response to white rice cannot tell you what is causing the pain.

How should you eat white rice with a stomach ache?

If you feel able to eat, cook white rice thoroughly in water according to the package instructions. Serve it plain or with a little salt; skip butter, heavy sauces and strong spices if they worsen your symptoms.

Start with a small amount and eat slowly. If it feels comfortable, you can eat more as your appetite returns. If it worsens your pain or nausea, stop eating it; there is no required portion or schedule.

Do not rely on white rice alone for more than a short period. As tolerated, add a variety of familiar foods to get protein and other nutrients. Avoiding foods unnecessarily can make it harder to meet your needs.

Drink fluids as tolerated, particularly if vomiting or diarrhea is present. The guide to the best drinks for stomach aches discusses fluid options. An oral rehydration solution can help replace water and salts lost through vomiting or diarrhea; ask a clinician or pharmacist about its use, especially for a child.

Handle leftovers safely: refrigerate cooked white rice promptly, within 2 hours, and reheat it until steaming hot. Some toxins that can form when cooked rice is left out too long may survive reheating, so do not rely on reheating to make improperly stored rice safe.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Get urgent medical help for severe, sudden or worsening abdominal pain; blood in vomit or stool; black stool; a rigid or swollen abdomen; fainting; or signs of dehydration such as dizziness and very little urine. Seek prompt care if you cannot keep fluids down.

Contact a clinician if pain persists or keeps returning, or if you have a fever or ongoing diarrhea. Notice whether eating affects the pain and share that information with the clinician, but do not use it to diagnose yourself.

Pregnant people, older adults and parents of young children should contact a clinician sooner if stomach pain persists or comes with vomiting or diarrhea. People with diabetes should follow their usual care plan and ask their care team for advice if illness makes normal eating or drinking difficult.

If you have a known rice allergy, avoid white rice. Get emergency help for symptoms such as trouble breathing or swelling of the lips or tongue after eating.