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When your stomach is in knots and you cannot keep anything down, the last thing you want is to guess which drink will help and which will make things worse. What your body loses fastest during diarrhea and vomiting is fluid plus electrolytes — the minerals sodium, potassium, and magnesium that keep your body working right. Plain water alone often is not enough, and sugary sodas or juices can pull more water into your gut and make loose stools worse. The picks below are the electrolyte drink mixes worth keeping in your cabinet, chosen for taste, how fast they dissolve, and how easy they are to sip when you feel awful.
This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Replacing lost fluids and minerals is the goal, so flavor, sodium level, and how cleanly each powder dissolves in water matter far more than fancy branding. This guide breaks down five drinks for upset stomach and diarrhea so you can pick the right one fast.
Top Picks
How To Choose The Best Drinks for Upset Stomach and Diarrhea
The best drink for an upset stomach is one you can actually get down and keep down. That sounds obvious, but it changes what you should look for. A mix that tastes great and dissolves smooth is far easier to sip when you are queasy than a gritty powder you have to choke past. Here is what to weigh before you buy.
Sodium and electrolyte content
Sodium is the mineral your body loses most during diarrhea, so most rehydration drinks lean on it. Potassium and magnesium round out the blend. If you are limiting sodium for a heart or blood-pressure reason, a low-sodium option is the smarter pick — GoHydrate is built around that idea, while others pack more salt per serving.
Sugar versus sugar-free
Sugar helps your body pull water in faster, but too much of it can worsen loose stools. Many of the picks here go sugar-free with zero artificial sweeteners, which keeps the taste clean without the sugar load. Cure uses real fruit juice and coconut water instead, and carries no added sugar.
Powder versus ready-to-drink
Powder packets travel well and let you mix exactly what you need. A bottled liquid, like the GoodSense six-pack, needs no stirring and is ready the second you open it — helpful when you are too wiped out to measure scoops. If nausea makes mixing a chore, the bottle wins.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Best For | Form | Servings | Sugar | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid I.V. Sugar Free Electrolytes, Strawberry Watermelon★ Best Overall | Sick-day sipping with great taste | Powder packets | 14 Count | Sugar-free | Amazon |
| GoHydrate Instant Hydration Powder PacketsBest for Low Sodium | Low-sodium, low-carb diets | Powder packets | 10 Packs | Sugar-free | Amazon |
| Cure Hydration Tropical Variety Pack | Plant-based, no added sugar | Powder packets | 8 Packets | No added sugar | Amazon |
| BODYARMOR Flash IV Zero Sugar Electrolyte Mix | Workouts and busy days | Electrolyte sticks | 15 Ct | Zero sugar | Amazon |
| GoodSense Electrolyte Solution, Mixed Fruit | Ready-to-drink illness recovery | Ready-to-drink bottles | Pack of 6 | — | Amazon |
Detailed Reviews
1. Liquid I.V. Electrolytes Strawberry Watermelon 14 Count
Our pick — 4.5+★ from 1,500+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The crowd favorite for sick days, with a flavor people actually finish.
The first thing you notice with Liquid I.V. is the taste, and that is exactly what you want when your stomach is turning. A tart strawberry note meets ripe watermelon, so getting a glass down feels less like medicine and more like a treat. It is a non-GMO, keto-friendly electrolyte drink built to hydrate better than water alone, which matters when you are losing fluids fast. Each single-serving packet mixes into 16 oz of water, and the pouch holds 14 of them — enough to get you through a rough stretch without running out mid-illness.
The formula leans on a proprietary Amino Acid Allulose Blend with 0 sugar and 0 artificial sweeteners. According to the brand, it carries 3x the electrolytes of the leading sports drink plus 8 vitamins and nutrients. It is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and made with no artificial colors. Buyers report it helps with nausea and tummy upset, and the same crowd finds it useful for hangovers and headaches too. If you are recovering from a bug and want something gentle but effective, this is the packet most people reach for first.
Here is the honest snag. This 14-count pouch weighs 6.41 ounces fully packed, which is heavier than a slim single-packet box — so it is more of a keep-at-home staple than a throw-in-your-pocket item. At 4.5+ stars from 1,500+ ratings, it is the crowd favorite, and the taste scores have earned that reputation. The catch is partly mental: the mix is sugar-free and relies on allulose, so if you expect the sweetness of a full-sugar sports drink, the first sip may read differently than you pictured.
What people rave about
- Strawberry watermelon flavor that goes down easy when you feel rough
- 0 sugar and 0 artificial sweeteners, gluten-, soy-, and dairy-free
- Mixes into 16 oz of water with 14 servings per pouch
- 3x the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, per the maker
Where it falls short
- 6.41 ounces packaged, so it leans bulky for travel
- Allulose sweetness is not the same as a full-sugar drink
- Value for money divides buyers more than any other factor
Best for: anyone fighting a stomach bug who refuses to drink something that tastes medicinal, and anyone who wants a sugar-free option that still hydrates hard.
Look elsewhere if: you need a featherweight packet for a carry-on and you have no room to spare.
2. GoHydrate Electrolytes Drink Mix 10 Packs Mixed
A tiny, weightless packet built for anyone watching their salt intake.
If your doctor has told you to keep sodium low, this is the mix to start with. The formula packs 5 essential electrolytes including potassium, magnesium, and sodium, plus Vitamin D, and it is sugar-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO with no artificial additives, colors, or flavors. It fits keto and low-carb diets cleanly. Each powder is water-soluble and made to dissolve and absorb fast, and the pack ships 10 single-serve packets you can carry without noticing them.
Here is the weight difference that matters for your bag. Each packet holds roughly a tenth of an ounce, so ten of them together weigh about as much as a single business card — easy to carry on a hot day. Each packet dissolves in water, and per one buyer it “effectively hydrates within 10 min, aiding activity in heat and humidity.” One drinker dealing with low sodium says it is “great for people who need to limit their sodium intake due to heart-related issues.” That makes it the rare hydration mix that supports people on a restricted-salt plan rather than clipping them along for the ride.
The honest trade-off is flavor. Some people love the mixed pack, calling it refreshing with no bad aftertaste and easy to mix in a water bottle. Others find it bland or even medicine-like, especially the citrus-leaning flavors. One buyer compared a sip to “dog slobber water,” so taste is genuinely split here. Weigh that against the mission: this is the pick for you if sodium is your main health concern, not if bold fruity flavor is.
The low-sodium angle: five electrolytes plus Vitamin D in a sugar-free, non-GMO blend designed for low-carb and keto eaters who still need to be careful about salt.
What to expect from the flavor: buyers who want more water in their day often credit this mix with making it happen; the citrus flavors divide the room, so plan on a taste test.
Fresh and fast: for restricted-sodium diets
But: if big fruit flavor is the only way you will drink, sample before you commit to a pack.
3. Cure Hydration Electrolyte Drink Powder 8 Packets
Plant-based rehydration that mimics the oral rehydration standard hospitals use.
Cure is the mix for you if you want clean ingredients but you still take hydration seriously. It follows the World Health Organization’s Oral Rehydration Solution standard — a set ratio of electrolytes and glucose designed to pull water into your bloodstream fast. The brand claims that balance hydrates about as effectively as an IV drip, without the needle. Each packet carries 4x the electrolytes of leading sports drinks, and it is made with premium, plant-based ingredients like coconut water and real fruit juices.
The label is genuinely tight. Each 8-packet box mixes with 8–16 oz of water, and the whole thing is non-GMO verified, vegan, certified gluten-free, certified kosher, paleo, and caffeine-free, with no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and no erythritol or sugar alcohols. It even qualifies as FSA/HSA eligible. The brand lists use windows like before your workout, afternoon slumps, travel, pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding, plus temporary or chronic illness. It is made for adults and children 1 or older.
What wins people over here is the flavor — not overly sweet, mixes cleanly in water, and made with all-natural ingredients. The recurring gripe is value: the box holds a modest number of packets for the quality it delivers, and drinkability splits a few buyers who just want something sweeter. The whole sleeve weighs 2.24 ounces and measures about 8 x 6 x 1 inches, so it stows flat in a drawer or bag. If ingredients clean enough to read out loud are your priority, this is your packet.
Why it earns a spot
- Built on the WHO Oral Rehydration Solution standard
- Plant-based with coconut water and real fruit juice
- Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and paleo
- No added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, no erythritol
The honest catches
- Only 8 packets per box
- Value divides buyers the most of any factor
- Not the choice if you want a sweeter drink
Buy it if: you read ingredient labels and you want a plant-based mix modeled on the medical rehydration standard.
Pass if: you want a big, sweet, candy-style flavor or a large packet count per box.
4. BODYARMOR Flash IV Electrolyte Mix Strawberry Kiwi 15 Ct
The strawberry-kiwi stick that dissolves fast and nudges your energy back up.
BODYARMOR Flash IV is the pick when sick days turn into slow recovery days. It is a portable on-the-go hydration booster with zero sugar and a total blend of 2 electrolytes, plus Zinc, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and coconut water powder. Each stick carries only 15 calories, so you get a lift without a sugar spike. The brand suggests mixing it with BODYARMOR SportWater, though it dissolves fine in cold tap water too. The 15-count carton measures 9.17 x 6.38 x 3.62 inches and weighs 3.75 ounces, so it sits neatly on a pantry shelf.
Where this one beats the Cure box is sheer count — 15 sticks against 8 packets — and the strawberries and kiwi flavor lands for most people. Buyers describe effective hydration with a feeling of rapid rehydration, an easy dissolve in cold water, and a slight energy boost that suits workouts and busy days. The added Zinc and B-vitamins give it a wellness angle the plainer mixes do not carry. If you are bouncing back from a bug and want something that both rehydrates and perks you up, this earns its place.
Two things to keep in mind. First, value splits opinion — some call it a great deal and others feel it does not justify the spend, so it is a fair-weather value rather than a bargain. Second, at 2 electrolytes this is a leaner mineral blend than Liquid I.V.’s 3x-sports-drink formula, so if maximum electrolytes is your priority, the Liquid I.V. leads on that front while this leads on convenience and added vitamins.
What stands out: 15 calories, zero sugar, and a blend of 2 electrolytes plus Zinc and Vitamins B & C with coconut water powder — a lighter, perkier drink than a straight mineral mix.
The one to watch: reviewers who track cost say the value is merely average, and the mineral blend is thinner than the top pick’s, so treat it as a convenience-and-energy pick rather than the strongest electrolyte formula.
Reach for this if: you want a low-calorie stick that hydrates and gives a gentle energy nudge for workouts or dragging recovery days.
Think twice if: you are chasing the biggest electrolyte punch per serving.
5. GoodSense Electrolyte Solution Mixed Fruit 33.8 Fl Oz Pack of 6
No mixing, no measuring — open a bottle and hydrate the moment you need it.
When a bug hits hard and you are too wiped out to stir a powder into water, the GoodSense six-pack is the one that does the work for you. Each of the six bottles holds 33.8 fluid ounces of ready-to-drink mixed fruit electrolyte solution, so there is nothing to measure and nothing to shake. The formula is built to replace electrolytes and the fluids and minerals lost to dehydration. The brand markets it for dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, exercise, travel, and heat exhaustion, in a mixed fruit flavor for kids and adults.
The brand says the formula is comparable to leading brands and recommended by pediatricians and pharmacists. The brand frames it for recovery from illness and after exposure to high temperatures, and one buyer calls it great for recovering from surgery. Buyers call it tasty and effective — some prefer it to Gatorade — and say it eases nighttime leg cramps. That range is the point: this is a rehydration solution you can trust for a whole household, not just a gym bag.
Here is the catch to plan for. The directions say to use it under medical supervision, and for children under 1 year of age you are told to consult your doctor first, so it is not a casual grab-and-go for the very youngest. At 2.11 pounds and about 10.6 x 8.8 x 7 inches for the pack, the six bottles also take up real shelf or fridge space. Both facts point to the same thing: this is a home-recovery supply, best kept on hand and poured out when you need it, not a travel packet.
What makes it the sick-day ready pick
- Six bottles of 33.8 fl oz, ready to drink with zero mixing
- Mixed fruit flavor made for both kids and adults
- Recommended by pediatricians and pharmacists, per the brand
- Built to help with dehydration from diarrhea, vomiting, and heat
Before you buy
- Directions say to use under medical supervision
- For children under 1 year, consult a doctor first
- Six full bottles take up fridge or shelf space
The house supply: this is the pick for families recovering from a stomach bug who want rehydration ready the instant someone feels bad.
Not for infants: if you are treating a baby under 1, talk to your doctor before using it.
Know the Specs
Electrolytes and sodium
Electrolytes are body salts — mainly sodium, potassium, and magnesium — that your body loses fast when you have diarrhea or vomiting. Sodium is the big one, which is why most rehydration mixes lean on it. If you are on a low-sodium plan, a mix like GoHydrate keeps the salt low while still delivering five electrolytes and Vitamin D.
How to mix and when to drink
Powder mixes usually call for 8 to 16 ounces of water, depending on the brand, so check the packet before you pour — that is roughly one to two cups. Ready-to-drink bottles skip that measuring step entirely. And a caution that applies to every pick in this guide: rehydration products are meant as support, and any serious or ongoing illness should be discussed with a doctor — the GoodSense bottle even labels itself for use under medical supervision.
Common Questions
What should I drink first when I have diarrhea?
Are sugar-free electrolyte drinks okay when my stomach is upset?
Is a low-sodium drink better for an upset stomach?
Can I give these drinks to a child?
Powder packets or ready-to-drink bottles — which is better for recovery?
How much water do I mix with an electrolyte powder?
Do these electrolyte drinks help with muscle cramps?
How long can I store these drinks?
Will these drinks taste good enough to keep sipping?
Should I pick a drink with vitamins or just electrolytes?
The Bottom Line
For most people dealing with an upset stomach or diarrhea, the winner is the Liquid I.V. Sugar Free Electrolytes — it leads on flavor, the thing that keeps you drinking when you feel awful, and it is sugar-free with 3x the electrolytes of the leading sports drink. If sodium is something you have to watch, grab the GoHydrate for its low-sodium, five-electrolyte blend. Want the cleanest ingredient list, plant-based and with no added sugar? The Cure Hydration box is the one. And when you are too wiped out to stir a powder, the GoodSense six-pack is ready the second you unscrew the cap. Keep one of these on hand before the next bug hits, since the hardest part of a sick day is having to shop for a solution while you feel terrible.
How we choose
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of October 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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