What to do if you are feeling sick after eating movie theatre popcorn

Popcorn can be a relatively healthy snack if properly prepared. But, movie theatre popcorn can sometimes make people sick.

For many movie-goers, eating popcorn while watching a flick on the big-screen is part of the cinematic experience.

But more and more of us are feeling sick just moments after the consumption of this traditional cinema “treat”.

Some may even feel fine at first but minutes or hours later can develop stomach cramps and even feel downright nauseous.

Reasons why you might feel sick after eating popcorn:

Popcorn can be very greasy and full of fat

One of the most difficult foods for our bodies to digest are fats / oils (such as those found in theatre popcorn). Keep in mind that many these commercial oils contain BHA and BHT (Butylated Hydroxyanisole and Butylated Hydroxytoluene). These artificial antioxidants keep food from spoiling too fast.

So after consuming greasy and oily meals, our digestive track goes into hyper-mode. Any grease left in the stomach is sometimes sent the way it entered.

Foods in high fat can also trigger muscle spasms in the gut, making contractions so fast and hard it rushes what you ate through the colon. Yep, diarrhoea.

Movie theatre popcorn is usually flavored and coloured with artificial ingredients. Many of these ingredients include artificial preservatives and sometimes MSG which makes many people sick.

Most of the corn is also grown using herbicides, fungicides, insecticides and other chemicals.

Popcorn can have too much sodium

Theatre popcorn is incredibly salted. High concentrations of salt can also make you sick. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Popcorn absorbs a lot of water

These days, the movie popcorn bucket sizes are absolutely huge, which creates a problem on its own. Popcorn is dry and as you eat it, it draws a lot of water from your digestive system to get through your body.

If you eat only a little bit, this wouldn’t matter, but try to imagine what happens in your stomach when you eat the whole bucket of popcorn!

How to stop feeling sick after eating movie popcorn

Sometimes, one of the following options works by themselves, but most of the time I need to use a mixture of two or three.

What usually works for me is to have slightly warmer water with dissolved baking soda, gently rub my stomach for a bit whilst lying on the side and then get hot water bottle. You might feel quite tired after all of this, so if you fall asleep, don’t worry, you should feel much better afterwards.

Drink ginger tea

People from around the world have used ginger as a cure-all for pain and nausea since ancient times. Many studies have shown that ginger can be an effective treatment for certain kinds of stomach aches.

Ginger can be consumed as an all-natural ginger ale drink or by using fresh ginger root to make tea. If you don’t have a fresh ginger, just buy ginger tea and sip it slowly through the day.

To make fresh ginger tea, you will need:

Fresh ginger root
Water
Optional: honey, lemon, or other sweeteners or flavorings

Instructions:

Peel the ginger root using a vegetable peeler or the edge of a spoon. You can also leave the skin on if you prefer.
Thinly slice the ginger into small pieces.
In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.
Add the sliced ginger to the boiling water and reduce the heat to low.
Simmer the ginger for 10-15 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea to be.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain the ginger pieces from the tea.
Serve the tea hot and add honey, lemon, or other sweeteners or flavorings if desired.

Note: The ratio of ginger to water can vary depending on personal preference. A general guideline is to use 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh ginger per 1 cup of water.

To make ginger tea from ground ginger (powdered ginger spice)

You will need:

Ground ginger
Water
Optional: honey, lemon, or other sweeteners or flavorings

Instructions:

Boil water in a kettle or pot.
Place about half a spoonful of ground ginger in a mug. You could also add a heaping spoonful or two of ground ginger to the pot or kettle of water.
Pour the boiling water over the ground ginger in the mug or pot and stir well.
Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes.
Strain the tea if you used a pot to remove any remaining ginger particles.
Add honey, lemon, or other sweeteners or flavorings if desired.
Serve the tea hot.

Note: The amount of ground ginger can vary depending on personal preference. You can adjust the amount to make the tea more or less spicy.

Drink chamomile tea

Chamomile can help ease stomach aches by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Chamomile may also help relax and soothe the muscle of the upper digestive track lessening stomach pain and cramps.

tell me how to make chamomile tea

To make chamomile tea, you will need:

Dried chamomile flowers or chamomile tea bags
Water
Optional: honey, lemon, or other sweeteners or flavorings

Instructions:

Add dried chamomile flowers to your infuser or place a chamomile tea bag in your cup. If you’re using an infuser, use about a tablespoon of dried chamomile per cup of water.
Heat water in a tea kettle or pot until it boils. You should not let the water boil for long.
Pour the hot water over the chamomile flowers or tea bag in the cup.
Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you want the tea to be.
Remove the chamomile flowers or tea bag from the cup.
Add honey, lemon, or other sweeteners or flavorings if desired.
Serve the tea hot.

Note: Chamomile tea can also be made with fresh chamomile flowers instead of dried flowers or tea bags. Simply use a handful of fresh chamomile flowers per cup of water and steep for 5-10 minutes.

Drink water with lemon

If you have a strong urge to vomit, mix 1 cup of water, 10 drops of lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar. Or instead of sugar, add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.

Lemon in water is believed to help the digestive system in several ways:

Promotes hydration: Drinking lemon water can help you stay hydrated, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Stimulates bile production: Lemon contains compounds that stimulate the liver to produce more bile, which helps to break down fats and aids digestion.
Helps with constipation: Lemon water can help to stimulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Reduces inflammation: Lemon contains antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, which can improve digestion and reduce symptoms of conditions such as acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome.
Alkalizes the body: Although lemon is acidic, it has an alkalizing effect on the body. This can help to neutralize stomach acid and reduce symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

Drink water with baking soda

Baking soda is sometimes used as a home remedy for digestive problems such as acid reflux, heartburn, and upset stomach. Baking soda works as an antacid, which means it neutralizes stomach acid and can provide temporary relief from acid reflux and heartburn.

However, it is important to note that baking soda should only be used occasionally and in small amounts, as consuming too much baking soda can have negative side effects, such as stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Please also remember that, baking soda is not a long-term solution for digestive problems and it is important to consult a healthcare provider if you are experiencing persistent digestive issues.

To make hot water with baking soda for digestive problems, you will need:

1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of hot water

Instructions:

Boil water in a kettle or pot.
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a cup.
Pour the hot water over the baking soda in the cup.
Stir well until the baking soda dissolves.
Let the mixture cool down to a warm temperature.
Drink the mixture slowly.

Drink mint tea to ease the stomach cramps

While fresh mint tea has some potential health benefits, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it can specifically help with feeling sick after eating popcorn.

Mint tea is often used to relieve digestive symptoms such as bloating, gas, and nausea, but these symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors, including overeating, food intolerances, and gastrointestinal conditions.

Here are the instructions for making peppermint drink using fresh mint, dried mint, mint tea bags, or peppermint oil:

Peppermint drink using fresh mint:

Rinse a handful of fresh mint leaves and lightly crush them to release their oils.
Place the mint leaves in a teapot or heat-resistant glass.
Boil water in a kettle or pot and let it cool for a minute or two.
Pour the hot water over the mint leaves in the teapot or glass.
Let the mixture steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be.
Strain the mixture to remove the mint leaves.
Serve the peppermint drink hot or cold, with honey or lemon if desired.

Peppermint drink using dried mint:

Place 1-2 teaspoons of dried mint leaves in a teapot or heat-resistant glass.
Boil water in a kettle or pot and let it cool for a minute or two.
Pour the hot water over the dried mint leaves in the teapot or glass.
Let the mixture steep for 5-10 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be.
Strain the mixture to remove the dried mint leaves.
Serve the peppermint drink hot or cold, with honey or lemon if desired.

Peppermint drink using mint tea bags:

Place a peppermint tea bag in a teapot or heat-resistant glass.
Boil water in a kettle or pot and let it cool for a minute or two.
Pour the hot water over the tea bag in the teapot or glass.
Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be.
Remove the tea bag from the teapot or glass.
Serve the peppermint drink hot or cold, with honey or lemon if desired.

Peppermint drink using peppermint oil:

Add 1-2 drops of peppermint oil to a cup of hot water.
Stir well to combine.
Serve the peppermint drink hot or cold, with honey or lemon if desired.

Note: When using peppermint oil, it is important to use only a small amount, as too much can be harmful. Additionally, peppermint oil should not be used by pregnant women or children without consulting a healthcare provider.

Use hot water bottle

If you have a lot of stomach cramps, the best thing to do is to soothe it with something warm. A hot water bottle works great for this, just don’t make it too hot.

Lay on your side with your legs slightly bent (like a foetal position) and place your hot water bottle on your stomach. Relax and don’t worry if you fall asleep, you’ll feel so much better afterwards!

Gently massage your stomach

Rubbing your stomach can help to relieve an upset stomach by stimulating digestion and promoting relaxation. Here’s how to do it:

Lie down on your back on a comfortable surface, such as a bed or couch.
Place your hands on your stomach, with your fingers spread out and your palms facing down.
Using gentle circular motions, massage your stomach in a clockwise direction. Start at the bottom of your stomach, near your right hip bone, and work your way up towards your ribcage, then across to your left side, and down towards your left hip bone.
Repeat the circular motions for 2-3 minutes, focusing on any areas that feel particularly tense or uncomfortable.
Take slow, deep breaths as you massage your stomach, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
After a few minutes, stop massaging your stomach and lie still for a few more minutes to allow the relaxation to continue.

What to do if you are feeling sick after eating movie theatre popcorn

Reasons why you might feel sick after eating popcorn: