Can I eat preserved egg and lean pork congee with gastroenteritis?

May 23, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I have gastroenteritis and would like to eat something delicious for breakfast. I'm wondering if I can eat preserved egg and lean pork congee?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua

Gastroenteritis patients can usually eat preserved egg and lean meat congee, but it is recommended to consume it in moderation. However, during an acute episode, it is generally not advisable to eat it.

Gastroenteritis is a common digestive system disease, mainly characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. During the acute phase of gastroenteritis, the patient's digestive function is impaired, so the diet should be light and easily digestible, avoiding irritating foods that may worsen the condition.

Due to inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, patients with gastroenteritis often experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating, which affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended to consume light and easily digestible foods, such as preserved egg and lean meat congee. However, attention should be paid to the temperature of the food, which should be warm or cool, avoiding excessively hot food that may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

If a patient is in the acute phase, especially with severe diarrhea and vomiting, it is recommended to primarily consume liquid or semi-liquid foods, such as rice broth and porridge. After the symptoms subside, they can gradually transition to richer but still easily digestible foods like preserved egg and lean meat congee.

Dietary adjustments during gastroenteritis should follow medical advice and be reasonably arranged according to individual conditions.