First of all, true food poisoning onset is almost immediate. As soon as the body recognizes the bad food, it is in alert mode, to get rid of it. Thus, vomiting, cramping, sweats, etc. If some of the food does manage to get through, the system, diarrhea accompanies. The worst thing we could do is stop the body's natural process of purging the bad food. Taking something to stop vomiting, or diarrhea, actually helps to keep the bad food in our body longer. Better to let it escape. You can help things along by not fighting it. However, trying to stay hydrated is the best thing you can do.
Other reactions to food are a different matter. People react differently for a variety of reasons to different foods. Chinese food could have introduced a variety of different vegetables that we are just not used to. Some cause gas and bloating. Our guts are filled with bacteria designed to breakdown foods, and some people could be lacking enough to successfully do that.
I also learned several years ago, what happens to food that is not digested properly. After surgery, I didn't wait to resume to a normal diet, it was Thanksgiving, and I deserved to have dinner like everyone else, didn't I? Wrong. My digestive system wasn't yet up and running normally. So....that huge turkey dinner, sat in my stomach, fermenting, (yes, that is what happens). Fermentation causes gas, bloating, and pain. The longer it stays in the stomach...OMG, unbelievable! I was hospitalized, to get the system working again.
In case you're wondering, the surgery was abdominal. The muscles and nerves cut during the surgery, were not reconnecting and sending messages as quickly as they should. Also, they were still sleepy and sedated from the anesthesia. So instead of the nerves telling the abdominal functions to get going, they simply weren't. So, when doctors ask you if you passed gas, or had a movement, don't lie. They won't send you home until you have. It's very, very important. Isn't it amazing the things we MUST learn the hard way!