It may sound like the last thing you want to do, but keeping your stomach full by eating small meals and snacks throughout the day can help ward off nausea from seasickness. At the very least, regularly sipping ginger ale and eating crackers may do the trick for the first 24 hours.

Medical consensus in 2026 suggests that while a "stuffed" stomach is bad, a completely empty stomach is worse for sea sickness. An empty stomach allows gastric acids to irritate the lining, which can exacerbate the sensation of nausea. The ideal "middle ground" is to have a light, bland meal (high in protein and low in fat) about an hour before travel. Foods like crackers, toast, or apples are excellent choices because they are easy to digest and absorb excess stomach acid. In 2026, many sailors also swear by ginger-based snacks, as ginger is a clinically proven natural anti-emetic. You should strictly avoid heavy, greasy, or highly acidic foods (like orange juice or fried bacon) and alcohol, as these slow down digestion and increase the likelihood of vomiting. Keeping your stomach "settled" with small, frequent snacks is a key strategy for maintaining your equilibrium on the water.