Many white-collar workers now face high work stress, irregular meals, and unhealthy eating habits, making gastritis a common and highly prevalent illness among many women. So, what should you eat when you have gastritis? How should you recover? Let's find out.
Dietary Adjustment
1. In the initial stage of enteritis, the intestine is in a state of acute congestion, edema, inflammation, and exudation. At this time, intestinal peristalsis is active or in a state of spasm, and its digestive and absorptive functions are relatively weak. Therefore, within 8-12 hours after the onset of the illness, patients can consume liquid foods such as rice porridge, arrowroot powder, egg paste, fine noodles, and stewed thin noodles. If diarrhea is severe or there is excessive sweating, patients should also drink more soups such as rice water, vegetable soup, fruit juice, and light salt water to supplement the body's lack of water, vitamins, and electrolytes.
2. During the recovery period of enteritis, patients can be given easily digestible and nutritious liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as rice porridge, fine noodles, steamed egg custard, and soda crackers. It is advisable to adopt a method of eating small, frequent meals, with 4-5 meals per day. It should be noted that milk and large amounts of sugar should not be consumed at this time, as these foods can easily ferment in the intestine, producing a large amount of gas, causing abdominal bloating and pain, and increasing the patient's suffering. In addition, milk contains a relatively high amount of fat, which has a lubricating effect on the intestine and enhances intestinal peristalsis, which can increase the burden on the intestine and is unfavorable for the condition.
3. Recovery Period of Enteritis
Due to pathological and physiological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the intestine, the intestine is very sensitive to food at this time. Therefore, it is particularly important to control the diet. The diet should consist of light, soft, and warm foods. Avoid eating greasy, fried, raw, cold, hard foods and high-fiber foods such as celery, chives, and garlic sprouts too early. About 2-3 days after the recovery period, one can return to a normal diet.
Dietary Principles
1. Liquid diet: For congee or porridge, drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration from diarrhea. Excessively frequent vomiting and bowel movements will reduce the body's water and electrolytes. Therefore, increasing fluid intake is necessary to compensate for the loss. Liquids contain large amounts of sugar and electrolytes (potassium, sodium), which can also help reduce diarrhea.
2. Diet restriction: In the early stages of the disease or when the condition is not severe, patients can also effectively control gastritis by simplifying their diet. At this time, the gastrointestinal tract's absorption and peristalsis are in an abnormal state. Excessive food intake will加重 the burden on the digestive organs and worsen the condition.
3. Avoid dairy products like ice cream. Dairy products can worsen diarrhea. Caffeinated beverages should also be avoided to prevent further irritation.
4. Avoid greasy foods: Avoid greasy and citrus foods as they may worsen the condition. After vomiting, do not drink water or beverages immediately. Wait for at least half an hour before frequently taking small sips of liquid.
5. Eat small, frequent meals: Solid foods can only be included in the diet after the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis have subsided. The symptoms of gastroenteritis generally subside within 2 days. Home-cooked meals should be eaten, and processed foods bought from outside should be avoided. It is not recommended to eat large meals during the illness, as the stomach cannot properly digest solid food. It is important to eat small meals frequently. After 10-15 days, the patient can eat cooked vegetables, fruits, and a small amount of low-fat food.