What else can I eat besides white rice porridge for gastroenteritis?

Under normal circumstances, patients with gastroenteritis can eat steamed apples, cooked softened carrots, millet porridge, steamed sea bass, and cooked softened yam, in addition to white rice porridge. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Steamed Apples

Steamed apples have a soft texture and are easily digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, placing no additional burden on the damaged gastrointestinal mucosa. After cooking, the pectin in apples is transformed into a gel-like substance that can form a protective layer on the surface of the gastrointestinal mucosa, reducing irritation. This substance can also adsorb excess water in the intestines, helping to alleviate diarrhea symptoms, making steamed apples suitable for patients with gastroenteritis.

2. Cooked Softened Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene. After being thoroughly cooked until softened, carrots not only have a soft and pleasant texture that is easy to chew and digest, but their beta-carotene is also more readily absorbed by the human body. Beta-carotene can be converted into vitamin A in the body, which promotes the repair of gastrointestinal mucosa and helps restore normal function to damaged mucosa. Additionally, the dietary fiber in carrots, after being softened by cooking, does not irritate the intestines and can help regulate intestinal motility.

3. Millet Porridge

Millet porridge becomes thick after being cooked thoroughly and contains abundant carbohydrates that provide sufficient energy to compensate for energy deficiency caused by reduced appetite and impaired digestion and absorption during gastroenteritis. Millet porridge is mild and non-irritating, causing no irritation to the inflamed gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, its B-complex vitamins can help regulate gastrointestinal function and promote digestion, making it a suitable staple food choice for patients with gastroenteritis.

4. Steamed Sea Bass

Sea bass has tender meat, and after steaming, it becomes soft and tender, easily digested and broken down by the gastrointestinal system, providing the body with high-quality protein. During gastroenteritis, the body requires protein support for recovery. Steamed sea bass not only supplies protein but also uses a light cooking method without excessive oil and seasonings, thus not burdening the gastrointestinal system and aiding in the body's recovery.

5. Cooked Softened Yam

Yam is rich in mucilaginous protein. After being thoroughly cooked until softened, the mucilaginous protein can function more effectively, protecting the gastrointestinal mucosa and reducing irritation from external factors. At the same time, cooked softened yam has a soft and glutinous texture, is easily digested and absorbed, strengthens the spleen and benefits the stomach, helps alleviate symptoms such as bloating and indigestion during gastroenteritis, and provides nutritional support to the body.

In addition, patients with gastroenteritis may also consume moderate amounts of cooked softened pumpkin and soft noodles. Furthermore, in daily life, they should eat small meals frequently, avoid eating too much at once, maintain an appropriate food temperature, and avoid food that is too cold or hot to prevent gastrointestinal irritation.