Recommended Diet For Gastroenteritis In Children – Being Parents

Gastroenteritis is nothing more than inflammation of the intestines. Like many other illnesses, it can also occur in children. In these cases, it is advisable to take certain care that will facilitate recovery. Therefore, we present to you the recommended diet for gastroenteritis in children.

Every infant can experience stomach pain from time to time. Some may suffer from constipation. However, others will have diarrhea. They may also have a fever or vomiting.

However,  if these conditions recur with some frequency, the condition may be more severe than we think. All except constipation are symptoms of gastroenteritis. We must therefore be vigilant and consult the doctor as soon as possible.

Causes of gastroenteritis in children

Although it can occur at any time of the year, the  gastro – enteritis in children is more common in spring and summer. Most of these conditions are caused by viruses.

However, they can also find their trigger in other factors such as the following:

• A bacterial infection.  It can be due to an improperly washed bottle or contact with other children. The most common are salmonella and campylobacter.
• An allergy to a meal.  Certain foods can go wrong and cause problems in the digestive system.
• Inflammatory diseases.

Admittedly, they are not often observed in young children. But ulcerative colitis, hyperthyroidism, and Crohn’s disease, among other disorders, can also cause gastroenteritis.

Is it possible to prevent it?

The truth is, there aren’t too many precautions to be taken. When it comes to viruses and bacteria, the best we can do is tighten up hygiene measures at these times. Also, rotavirus is one of its causes. There are vaccines against, to immunize the child at two, four and six months.

Also,  in terms of food, it will be better to avoid raw meals and small meals. In addition, if you are going to give it fruit, they must be peeled.

The recommended diet for gastroenteritis in children

Below, we will dwell on some points to consider regarding the recommended diet for gastroenteritis in children.

1. Hydration is essential

Given the symptoms already mentioned,  this disease can lead to dehydration. In fact, it is a very worrying factor in infant mortality in developing countries.

Dehydration  can be detected if you notice that the child urinates little. In addition, her lips will be dry and her eyes sunken. Therefore, it is necessary to  constantly moisturize it . If he is still old enough to breastfeed, offer your breast every hour or every hour and a half. 

On the other hand, if he is already a child,  at first you should give him oral rehydration serum in small amounts, so that he does not vomit again. Over the hours, you can go back to drinking water.

2. Replace the solid with the slack

The digestive system is in an abnormal situation. So he cannot process food as usual. Therefore,  soft foods abound in the recommended diet for gastroenteritis in children.

Of course,  some foods should be completely eliminated from the diet for at least five days. These are :

• Fats
• Fritride
• Dairy products
• The candies
• Any acidic product

Rice water is a great first option to start recovery. Among its advantages is its easy digestibility. Also, its starch content allows the recovery of the stomach and irritated intestines. It also contains natural sugars, which recompose lost energies.

Likewise,  lactose-free yogurt can also be good. These help to recover the intestinal flora, in addition to providing nutrients that help in the elimination of infections. However, they are not recommended until the vomiting and diarrhea are gone.

3. Gradually return to a normal diet

With proper medication and care, your child will sooner or later regain his appetite. However,  the return to daily eating cannot be done in one fell swoop, although you shouldn’t wait too long to start it.

On the contrary,  you must first incorporate nutritious and easily digestible foods. Toast, slow digesting carbohydrates such as pasta without sauce and rice are very good here.

Of course, the fruits can not be missing. You can even mash it to start with semi-solid meals to get her back to normal life. Try to avoid sweeter fruits and juice. Also omit those that have a laxative effect, such as plums and kiwi fruit.

Finally,  you can reincorporate the meats in small portions – preferably chicken and fish – accompanied by vegetables and eggs. If he responds well, in a few days the little one will be able to resume his usual rhythm of life.

As you can see, the recommended diet for gastroenteritis in children plays an important role in recovery. Try to take the necessary precautions and watch out for symptoms that slowly go away. If this does not happen, see the doctor.