Recommended Foods for Gastroenteritis
For patients with gastroenteritis, the most effective dietary approach includes easily digestible foods such as bananas, rice, pasta, white bread, and mashed potatoes to help thicken stool output while maintaining adequate hydration with isotonic fluids. 1
Recommended Foods
- Bland, soft foods: Rice, plain pasta or noodles, white bread, and baked or broiled potatoes are well-tolerated during gastroenteritis 2
- Thickening foods: Bananas, rice, pasta, white bread, mashed potato, and applesauce help solidify loose stools 1, 3
- Protein sources: Plain fish, chicken, turkey, or ham, and eggs are better tolerated than red meats 2
- Fruits: Applesauce, cantaloupe, watermelon, and fruit cocktail are generally well-tolerated 2, 3
- Small, frequent meals: Nutrient-dense small meals are recommended rather than large meals that can distend the stomach 1
Hydration Recommendations
- Fluid intake: Maintain 2-2.5 liters of fluids daily, increasing during hot weather or exercise 1
- Isotonic drinks: Prioritize isotonic drinks (e.g., sports drinks, oral rehydration solutions) over hypotonic (water, tea) or hypertonic (fruit juice) drinks 1
- Oral rehydration solution: For severe diarrhea, use oral rehydration solution consisting of 1 liter water with six level teaspoons glucose, one level teaspoon salt, and half teaspoon sodium bicarbonate 1
Foods to Avoid
- Gas-producing foods: Cauliflower, legumes, and other high-FODMAP foods can worsen symptoms 1
- Caffeine and alcohol: These stimulate gastric secretion and can worsen symptoms 1, 4
- Spicy foods: Particularly black pepper, red pepper, and chili powder may produce discomfort 4
- High-fat foods: Fried foods, fatty foods, and high-fat dairy can worsen diarrhea 2
- Sugar-sweetened beverages: These have been linked to worsening symptoms 1
- High fiber foods: During acute episodes, high fiber intake can increase loose stools, flatulence, and bloating 1
Special Considerations
- Potassium-rich foods: If serum potassium is low, include bananas, potatoes, spinach, fish, poultry, lean meat, sweet potato, and avocado 1
- Sodium intake: To prevent dehydration, consider adding a small amount of salt to meals 1
- Chewing thoroughly: This is especially important to prevent digestive discomfort 1
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Self-directed exclusion diets: Non-evidence based exclusion diets should be discouraged as they can lead to limited diet quality and nutrient deficiency 1
- Excessive dairy consumption: Frequent milk ingestion is not encouraged due to its transient buffering effect and significant gastric acid secretion effect 4
- Dehydration: Avoid chronic dehydration by maintaining adequate fluid intake and monitoring for signs of dehydration 1, 5
- Large meals: Stomach distention with large quantities of food should be discouraged 4
As symptoms improve, gradually reintroduce a varied diet based on local healthy eating guidelines, including a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, cereals, grains, and protein-rich foods 1.