Recommended Diet For Children With Gastroenteritis

In this article, we address a list of foods that are suitable for children with gastroenteritis, what in everyday speech is called stomach flu or vomiting.

If your child suffers from gastroenteritis symptoms, you should keep him or her away from certain foods for a few days.

Gastroenteritis is nothing more than an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Like many other diseases, it often occurs in children.

When this happens, it is wise to take certain precautions to facilitate recovery. In this article you will find information on the recommended diet for children with gastroenteritis.

Children can occasionally suffer from stomach upset. Some people suffer from constipation, diarrhea, fever and even vomiting.

If these symptoms persist and recur with a certain frequency, the child may have gastroenteritis.

As parents, it is good to know how to identify the symptoms and to know when to contact the pediatrician.

Causes of gastroenteritis in children

Although it can occur at any time of the year, gastroenteritis is most common in spring and summer and is mainly caused by viruses.

In addition, gastroenteritis can be triggered by the following factors:

• Bacterial infection: It can be caused by a baby bottle that has not been properly sterilized or by contact with other children. The most common causes of this type of gastroenteritis are salmonella and campylobacter.
• Food allergies: Some foods can not be accepted by the baby’s body and cause problems in the digestive system.
• Inflammatory diseases.
• Although not common in young children, gastroenteritis can also be caused by ulcerative colitis, hyperthyroidism, Crohn’s disease and other diseases.

Can it be prevented?

The truth is that there are not very many precautions to take that are actually effective. Since we are dealing with viruses and bacteria, the best thing parents can do is be careful about hygiene.

Regarding gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus, there are vaccines that can help immunize the child.

When it comes to food preparation, it is best to avoid raw foods. If you give your children fruits, make sure they are washed and peeled.

Recommended diet for children with gastroenteritis

Here are some points that should be considered when it comes to children with gastroenteritis:

Liquid is essential

Due to the symptoms we mentioned earlier, this disease can lead to dehydration. It is a leading cause of infant mortality in developing countries.

Dehydration can be felt when the child urinates less than usual, if the lips are dry and if it has sunken eyes.

If you notice any of these symptoms, you must immediately get the baby to swallow fluids. If the baby is still breastfeeding, you should offer it breast milk at least every hour.

In the case of older children, you can offer them fluid replacement in small amounts. After a few hours, the child can return to drinking water.

2. Replace solid foods with soft foods

When suffering from gastroenteritis, the digestive system is in a difficult situation. It cannot process food in the same way that it usually does.

Therefore, the recommended diet for children suffering from gastroenteritis consists of the softest foods.

There are certain foods that should be excluded from the diet altogether for at least five days. The following should be avoided:

• Cousins
• Fried products
• Dairy products
• Candy
• Sour products

Rice water is a great alternative to kick-start recovery because it has so many benefits. It is very easy to digest and its starch content promotes recovery in the stomach and the irritated intestines.

Rice water also contains natural sugars that help to regain lost energy.

Lactose-free yogurt is another good alternative. It can help restore an affected intestinal flora. It also provides nutrients that can help the child fight the infection.

Lactose-free yoghurt is not recommended until the child no longer shows symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

3. Slowly return to the baby’s normal diet

With medication and proper care, your child will soon regain his appetite. Keep in mind that it should not return to its normal diet suddenly but have a gradual transition.

First, you should incorporate foods that are both nutritious and easy to digest. Toast is a very good alternative.

Other good options include: slow carbs like pasta (without sauce) and rice.

The baby’s diet should not lack fruit. You can make purees to prepare it for returning to solid foods. Try to avoid sweet juices, as well as plum juice and kiwi juice because they have a laxative effect.

Finally, you can start reintroducing meat in small portions. It is good to start with chicken and fish that can be combined with vegetables and eggs.

If the child seems to tolerate it well, he will soon be able to resume his normal diet.

As you can see, diet is an important factor in the recovery from gastroenteritis. Try to take the necessary measures and pay attention to the symptoms of dehydration.

If the child does not get better, contact the health center.