What is the recommended diet for a patient with acute gastroenteritis?

Dietary Management for Acute Gastroenteritis

For acute gastroenteritis, patients should resume normal eating as tolerated immediately, with hydration as the primary priority, avoiding prolonged dietary restrictions that can worsen nutritional status and delay recovery.

Hydration Strategy

The cornerstone of management is preventing and treating dehydration through adequate fluid intake. 1, 2, 3

• Aim for at least 1.5 liters of fluid daily, increasing substantially if experiencing diarrhea or vomiting 1
• Oral rehydration solutions are the mainstay for mild-to-moderate dehydration 2, 3
• For mild cases, half-strength apple juice followed by preferred liquids is as effective as intravenous rehydration for preventing hospitalization 3
• Drink fluids 30 minutes before or after eating, not during meals 1
• Avoid carbonated beverages to reduce gas and discomfort 1

Food Reintroduction

Resume normal diet rapidly as symptoms improve—prolonged fasting is counterproductive. 4

• Eat according to tolerance without imposing unnecessary dietary restrictions 4
• Small, frequent meals are better tolerated than large meals 1, 4
• Eat slowly and chew thoroughly to aid digestion and reduce irritation 1, 4
• Bananas help thicken stool output and provide potassium depleted during diarrhea 1

Temporary Symptom-Based Modifications

Only temporarily avoid specific foods that worsen individual symptoms during the acute phase. 4

• Consider temporarily limiting fatty, spicy, or high-fiber foods if they exacerbate symptoms 4
• These restrictions should be lifted once symptoms improve 4
• Do not impose blanket dietary restrictions without symptom-based justification 4

Critical Pitfall to Avoid

The most common error is imposing unnecessarily prolonged dietary restrictions, which worsens nutritional status and delays recovery. 4

• Complete fasting should be reserved only for specific complications like intestinal perforation, severe ileus, or abscesses—not for uncomplicated gastroenteritis 4
• Prolonged avoidance of normal foods can lead to malnutrition 4
• Progress to normal diet rapidly once antimicrobial treatment begins (if bacterial) and symptoms start improving 4

Long-Term Dietary Pattern After Recovery

Once recovered, follow a Mediterranean diet pattern for overall gastrointestinal health. 4

• Rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, monounsaturated fats, complex carbohydrates, and lean proteins 4
• Low in ultraprocessed foods, added sugar, and salt 4