Gastroenteritis - How To Eat?
Author: Leticia Celentano
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)
In case of diarrhea, toasted bread, rice, boiled potatoes, apple juice or bananas are consumed.
Gastroenteritis, also called "stomach flu," is a condition that usually causes inflammation of the stomach and small intestine. Because it is viral and not bacterial, it cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of "stomach flu" include nausea, watery diarrhea and vomiting. In general, it is not a serious illness and most people recover completely in a short time. Its duration is on average 3-5 days.
Alleviation of symptoms can be achieved by adhering to a certain diet. What are they and what should be our behavior in the treatment of gastroenteritis?
Prevention of dehydration
Among the main goals in the treatment of "stomach flu" is to restore water balance in the body. If vomiting is persistent and does not allow fluid retention, you should wait 2-4 hours before eating and drinking. Consumption of small amounts of water and other fluids is essential for the condition of the body with severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Which foods to go to
Usually gastroenteritis sufferers have no appetite. But once the nausea and vomiting subside, you can begin a gradual feeding, including solid foods that are easily absorbed by the body - saltines, biscuits, noodles, cheese.
In case of diarrhea, the consumption of toast, rice, boiled potatoes, apple juice or bananas is appropriate.
Which foods to avoid
There are certain foods that should be avoided in gastroenteritis, as the products can irritate the stomach while the body is trying to recover from the virus. These are spicy, sour and fibrous foods. Meat, dairy products, cereals and vegetables are also not recommended.
Preventive measures against the stomach virus are regular hand washing, disinfection, and avoiding contact with infected people.