Diet for Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis, also known as stomach flu, is a digestive problem in which the stomach and the intestines are inflamed (swollen). A viral infection is often considered the main cause of gastroenteritis. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include diarrhea, nausea, crampy abdominal pain and vomiting. Eating unhygienic food can irritate the stomach and lead to gastroenteritis. This intestinal infection may also be caused by parasites present in spoiled food and unclean water.

A person suffering from gastroenteritis has to avoid certain foods, until he feels better. One can easily recover from this disorder by following a proper diet that prevents fluid loss. By simplifying the diet, the patient can effectively manage gastroenteritis. A restricted diet can play an important role in curing the patient. A diet for gastroenteritis is an effective treatment and is essential to overcome this disease. If gastroenteritis is not severe, the prescribed diet is sufficient to heal the patient.

Depending upon the severity of the illness, one may have to follow a liquid diet for many days. This is because, both the stomach and the intestines are not in a position to process and digest solid food. Considering this fact, one should have fluids until the condition improves.

In order to relieve symptoms of gastroenteritis, initially a liquid diet is recommended. A healthy option would be to drink plenty of fluids as diarrhea causes dehydration. Excessive vomiting and frequent stools reduce the quantity of water and electrolytes in the body. So, it is essential to increase the fluid intake, to compensate for what has been lost. Restrict your diet to clear liquids (water and juices) throughout the day. Fluids that contain high amounts of sugar and electrolytes (potassium, sodium) can also help reduce diarrhea.

As long as the infection persists, one should distance oneself from coffee, soda and tea because they can aggravate pain. Ice creams with coffee flavor or medicines that contain caffeine should also be avoided. However, taking herbal teas such as chamomile tea can provide some amount of comfort.

Drinking clear fruit juices or other beverages such as flat soda or tea, can help relieve the patient's pain. The next day, if you are feeling better, you can eat foods like white rice, apple sauce and white bread. Drinking large amounts of liquids quickly, causes an expansion of the stomach and may cause nausea. Try to avoid greasy and citrus foods, as they can aggravate the condition. After vomiting, do not immediately consume fluids. Wait for at least half an hour and then have fluids in small amounts (frequent sips).

So, to restore electrolyte balance, apart from water, one should focus on drinking vegetable juices as they are high in electrolytes. The frequent vomiting associated with gastroenteritis can lower electrolyte levels considerably. Consuming specially formulated electrolyte fluids is also beneficial for gastroenteritis patients. Besides electrolyte fluids, one can also go for cranberry juice. People with UTI are also often recommended to drink cranberry juice. This is because, the juice displays antiseptic properties and can help to dislodge the viruses from the stomach.

As everything that is consumed is vomited, patients with gastroenteritis are advised to avoid eating solid foods at least for a day. Carbonated drinks can also worsen the abdominal pain linked with gastroenteritis as they irritate the digestive tract. Therefore, one should temporarily wean from drinking carbonated drinks.

Due to gastroenteritis, the population of good bacteria decreases substantially. In order to increase the presence of good bacteria, which is crucial to overcome the infection, it is very important to have homemade yogurt. Tomatoes or tomato based products (ketchup) and even orange juice are highly acidic and can irritate the lining of the stomach and the intestine in this condition.

As the condition begins to improve gradually, semi-solid and solid foods will be introduced into the patient's diet. Initially, soft foods such as boiled rice or boiled lentil broth are given as they are easy to chew and digest.

Dairy products such as ice cream, must not be eaten as it can aggravate diarrhea. After the symptoms subside, one may include solid foods (white toasts, dry cereal) in their diet. The symptoms of gastroenteritis generally subside in 2 days. Prefer home cooked food and avoid eating outside. Having large meals during this period is not recommended, as the stomach is not in a position to properly digest solid foods. It is important to have frequent small meals that are spaced evenly throughout the day. After 10-15 days, the patient can start eating cooked vegetables, fruits and low-fat milk products in small amounts.

Most people recover within a short time by drinking fluids and following the prescribed diet. If the diet mentioned above is implemented strictly, it will reduce the healing time of the stomach and the intestines. In short, the gastrointestinal tract will recover faster and the patient will soon be back to normal.