Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the digestive tract, and it is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. It’s similar to food poisoning in that it causes vomiting and diarrhea, but it doesn’t come from contaminated food.
“What to eat with gastroenteritis” is a great question. Steer clear of greasy or fried foods, and stay away from anything that might add to your nausea. Beyond that, your body needs a little bit of everything.
You’ll want to eat high-fiber foods to keep your digestive system moving, as well as foods rich in vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system strong.
These foods are also great for your overall health and can help you feel better from the inside out. And if you’re trying to lose weight, you might find that juicing is a great way to get all the nutrients you need in a delicious, refreshing form.
There are many options out there for what to eat with gastroenteritis. You could eat potatoes, apples, bananas, and rice. Onions, garlic, and tomatoes can also be eaten, but only when cooked first.
What causes gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the common name for inflammation of the stomach and/or bowels. This inflammation can cause pain and discomfort and is often accompanied with vomiting and diarrhea.
The most common types of gastroenteritis are caused by viruses, parasites and bacteria. Viruses can be spread through contaminated food or water, and the most common culprit is the rotavirus, which can spread from person to person or from animals to humans.
The condition is characterized by intense nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. As a result of nausea, the patient is not able to take in adequate amount of food.
The loss of fluids and electrolytes through vomiting and diarrhea causes dehydration due to which patient’s health deteriorates. Some parasites can be found in raw or undercooked shellfish and fish, and are easily spread through contaminated water.
The spread of bacteria, viruses, and parasites from contaminated foods to humans is called foodborne disease. Somtimes foodborne infections result from an inappropriate storage of food and can result in food poisoning, which is characterized by gastrointestinal distress.
Foodborne Disease
Foodborne illnesses can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever and dehydration, and most can be life-threatening. Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria are the most common types of foodborne illnesses in the United States.
A foodborne disease is a disease caused by eating food. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and prions. Examples of foodborne disease include food poisoning, foodborne viruses, and foodborne illness.
Bacterial foodborne diseases can be caused by poor hygiene practices or improper food handling. Examples of bacterial foodborne illness include Campylobacter infections, Shigellosis, food poisoning, Salmonellosis, and Escherichia infections.
Foods to avoid
Eating certain foods when you have gastroenteritis can make your symptoms worse, by adding to your digestive discomfort, or making it harder for your body to fight the infection. While a bland diet is usually recommended which usually means avoiding:
- cheeses
- spicy foods
- fatty foods
- fried foods
- milk
The condition is the short-term/acute inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract and usually lasts between 24 and 72 hours.
The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. If your child shows any of these symptoms, they could be suffering from an infection causing gastroenteritis.
The key to getting your appetite back is to avoid foods that you are sensitive to. And by common sense we mean foods that can cause pain.
Food that is rich in carbohydrates and proteins can “slip” through your intestines and cause cramps. This is because carbohydrates and proteins have long chains of molecules that can get stuck in the intestines walls making it difficult for the digestive juices to absorb the nutrients and this causes cramps.
Foods to eat
The foods to eat when you have gastrointestinal tract infection depend on the type of infection you have. If you have a stomach infection, you may have nausea and vomiting; this requires a bland diet consisting of only clear liquids. The best foods to eat when you have gastroenteritis might be:
- oatmeal
- chiken soup
- banana
- fruit juices
- liquids
But you don’t need to be a doctor to know that bland foods are best for upset stomachs. In general, a bland diet helps relieve symptoms of gastroenteritis (stomach flu).
People with gastroenteritis often feel nauseated and vomit. Although gastroenteritis is not usually serious and most people recover in a few days, it may be quite unpleasant and cause you to lose energy and appetite.
It is common to feel nauseous, and vomit. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids when you don’t have an appetite, and are trying to get your body back to full health.
A person with gastroenteritis may also have a headache, muscle aches, and a general feeling of tiredness. Most people with gastroenteritis are otherwise fine. They can go about their usual business as long as they take a few precautions.
