Gastroenteritis occurs when you experience an infected gut. Consuming foods or drinks containing bacteria, parasites, or viruses can cause this infection, or you can contract it from others who are infected. Bacteria, parasites, and viruses can damage the cells that line the inner surface of your gut and stop it working as it should. Symptoms include diarrhea, bloody or mucous-rich stool, watery stool, feeling sick, abdominal cramping, pain, fever and bloating. If you develop this condition, you need to follow a specific diet as directed by a doctor.
Food Intake During Initial Phase Of Gastroenteritis
When you are first diagnosed, you may need to stay at home and rest until your symptoms become more controlled. According to the McKinley Health Center, you should let your gastrointestinal system settle by not eating for a few hours, and then follow this by sipping small amounts of clear liquids or sucking on ice chips if vomiting is an issue for you. These recommendations are not suitable for children, and you should consult your doctor about specific requirements for children. Clear liquids in this first phase may include apple, grape, or cranberry juice, fruit drinks, ginger ale, tea, clear bouillon, jell-o, fruit ice and popsicles. You should not consume coffee or caffeinated drinks because these may irritate your stomach lining and worsen your symptoms. As your symptoms improve, you can progress to a full liquid phase. McKinley Health Center states that you may move on to this phase of full liquids after 4 to 8 hours, and if you are able to tolerate the clear liquids. Good choices of full liquids include cocoa, broth, strained and bland soups, cream of wheat cereal, cream of rice cereal, vegetable juices, strained fruit juices, sherbets, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and other extracts.
Clear Liquid Diet, Other Foods And Certain Fruits
When you are ready to progress from full liquids to clear liquids and other foods, you may consume some foods that are easy to digest. These include white bread or toast, cooked or instant cereal that is not bran, graham crackers, saltines, pasta, rice, soft and cooked vegetables, boiled or mashed potatoes, bananas, applesauce, seedless melons, cooked or canned fruits, mild cheeses and cottage cheese.
Soft Full Liquids And Other Foods
As you are able to tolerate the third phase of food introductions, you can then introduce soft full liquids and other well-tolerated foods. Choices include eggs that have been scrambled, soft cooked, poached or hard-boiled. Other good choices include tender meat, poultry, or fish, soft cookies or cakes that contain no nuts or dried fruits, jelly, butter, cream or margarine.
Foods And Fruits To Limit
You should avoid alcohol, caffeine, and caffeine foods and beverages for a minimum of several days. These foods and beverages can contribute to dehydration and increase symptoms such as abdominal cramping and bowel disturbances. You should also avoid acidic fruits and their juices such as citrus fruits and juices. These can irritate your digestive tract and aggravate symptoms. You may also need to limit your dairy intake for 1 to 2 weeks because lactose intolerance can occur following gastroenteritis. Lactose intolerance occurs when your body cannot efficiently digest and absorb the sugar, lactose, in milk products. This can contribute to abdominal cramping, and other digestive symptoms. You should go back to a full liquid or clear liquid diet and contact your doctor if your symptoms relapse or worsen.
