Dietary Guide: What Should You Eat If You Have Noninfective Gastroenteritis and Colitis?

According to the Mayo Clinic, sticking to bland, easy-to-digest foods is key for recovering from gastroenteritis. Knowing what should you eat if you have noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis is crucial for managing symptoms like inflammation and diarrhea, promoting healing, and preventing dehydration.

Quick Summary

A diet for noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis should prioritize easy-to-digest, bland foods to soothe the gut, promote recovery, and restore essential nutrients. Hydration is vital, as is the gradual reintroduction of regular foods while avoiding common trigger items like fatty, spicy, and high-fiber foods.

Key Points

• Start with hydration: Focus on clear liquids like water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions to replace lost fluids and electrolytes, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks.

• Follow a bland diet: Begin with easy-to-digest foods like bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet) to soothe the stomach and firm up stool.

• Limit high-fiber foods: During a flare-up, avoid whole grains and raw fruits and vegetables, as they are hard to digest and can aggravate symptoms.

• Choose lean proteins: Introduce tender, well-cooked, lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish as you begin to feel better to provide necessary nutrients.

• Avoid irritants: Stay away from fatty, fried, spicy, and highly processed foods, as well as alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate the digestive tract.

• Reintroduce foods gradually: Expand your diet slowly as your symptoms improve, monitoring your body's tolerance for new items.

• Monitor dairy intake: Consider lactose-free options or avoid dairy products during active symptoms, as temporary lactose intolerance can occur.

• Consider probiotics: Some evidence suggests that probiotic-rich foods like plain yogurt may help restore gut bacteria balance, but introduce them carefully.

Understanding Noninfective Gastroenteritis and Colitis

Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis involve inflammation of the digestive tract that is not caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain can be debilitating. The primary goal of a supportive diet is to reduce the workload on your inflamed gut, prevent dehydration, and provide the nutrients needed for recovery. During a flare-up, your irritated intestines struggle to process and absorb many foods, making it essential to focus on easily digestible options. The diet outlined here focuses on symptom management during an active flare and transitioning back to a more balanced diet during remission.

The Recovery Diet: A Phased Approach

Phase 1: Rehydration and Settling the Stomach

In the initial stages, your priority is to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Your appetite may be low, and solid food can worsen symptoms. Focus on small, frequent sips of liquids.

• Clear Liquids: Sip water, oral rehydration solutions (ORS), clear broth, and electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water. ORS are particularly effective because they contain a balanced mix of sugar and electrolytes.
• Herbal Tea: Ginger and peppermint tea can help soothe nausea.
• Avoid: High-sugar drinks, fruit juices (except for small amounts of diluted apple juice), and caffeinated or alcoholic beverages should be avoided, as they can worsen diarrhea and dehydration.

Phase 2: Reintroducing Bland Foods

Once you can tolerate clear fluids without nausea or vomiting, begin slowly introducing bland, low-fiber foods. The traditional BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a good starting point, though it's important not to stick to it for too long due to its restrictive nature.

• Bananas: Excellent source of potassium, which is often lost during episodes of diarrhea.
• White Rice: Low in fiber and easily digestible, it helps firm up stool.
• Applesauce: A cooked, low-fiber fruit that provides some nutrients and is gentle on the stomach.
• Toast: Made from white bread, it's a simple, low-fiber carbohydrate.
• Other Bland Options: Plain crackers, oatmeal, boiled potatoes without skin, gelatin, and cooked carrots are also good choices.

Phase 3: Expanding Your Diet

As your symptoms improve, you can gradually expand your dietary range. Focus on nutrient-dense foods to replenish your body without triggering a relapse.

• Lean Proteins: Choose well-cooked, lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish. Eggs and tofu are also good sources of protein. Avoid adding excess fat during cooking.
• Low-Fiber Vegetables: Cooked vegetables like green beans, asparagus tips, and pureed squash are easier to digest than raw options.
• Cooked Fruits: Soft, peeled fruits like cantaloupe and watermelon are good hydrating options.
• Probiotics: Some evidence suggests probiotics may help restore the balance of gut bacteria disrupted by the illness. Plain yogurt and other fermented foods can be beneficial, but monitor your tolerance carefully.

Comparison of Diets for Gut Inflammation

Feature	Acute Gastroenteritis/Colitis (Flare)	Remission/Long-term Management	What to Avoid
Primary Goal	Symptom management, hydration, rest gut	Long-term health, nutrient absorption	Triggers that cause flare-ups
Fiber Intake	Very low (low-residue)	Gradually increased, higher fiber as tolerated	Raw, insoluble fiber, whole grains (during flares)
Fat Intake	Very low (bland)	Moderate, healthy fats like olive oil	Fatty, fried, greasy foods
Dairy Intake	Limited or avoided (potential temporary lactose intolerance)	Reintroduced gradually, monitor tolerance; lactose-free options available	Full-fat dairy, large quantities during flare-ups
Example Foods	Bananas, white rice, applesauce, toast, broth, boiled potatoes	Lean meats, cooked vegetables, cooked fruits, healthy oils, some whole grains	Spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, high-sugar items, high-fat foods

Conclusion

Navigating a diet with noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis requires a thoughtful, phased approach. Begin by focusing on hydration and allowing your digestive system to rest with clear fluids. Gradually transition to bland, easy-to-digest foods like bananas, white rice, applesauce, and toast. As your symptoms subside, you can carefully reintroduce a wider variety of nutrient-dense foods, paying close attention to your body's tolerance. By avoiding common irritants and working closely with a healthcare provider or dietitian, you can support your body's recovery and manage your gut health effectively over the long term. For more detailed information on specific conditions like ulcerative colitis, resources like the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation are invaluable.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially when managing a medical condition like noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis.

Optional Link

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation: What Should I Eat with Crohn’s or Colitis?

Citations

Mayo Clinic. “Gastroenteritis: First aid.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-gastroenteritis/basics/art-20056595 Healthline. “Noninfectious Gastroenteritis and Colitis: Symptoms and Causes.” https://www.healthline.com/health/noninfectious-gastroenteritis-and-colitis University Hospitals. “The Best Foods to Eat and Avoid for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2020/07/the-best-foods-to-eat-avoid-for-inflammatory-bowel-disease Medical News Today. “Ulcerative colitis diet: Foods to eat and avoid.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317836 The Oregon Clinic. “BRAT Diet.” https://www.oregonclinic.com/resource/diets-brat/ Mayo Clinic. “Gastroenteritis: First aid.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-gastroenteritis/basics/art-20056595 Doral Health & Wellness. “Top 10 Foods To Eat When Recovering From Gastroenteritis.” https://doralhw.org/top-10-foods-to-eat-when-recovering-from-gastroenteritis/ Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. “What Should I Eat with Crohn’s or Colitis? IBD Diet Guide.” https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/diet-and-nutrition/what-should-i-eat Mayo Clinic Health System. “Best foods to eat for a stomach bug.” https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/best-foods-to-eat-when-you-have-a-stomach-bug Mayo Clinic. “Gastroenteritis: First aid.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-gastroenteritis/basics/art-20056595 Medical News Today. “33 foods and drinks for the stomach flu.” https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/stomach-flu-what-to-eat

Frequently Asked Questions

What foods are best for the initial recovery phase?

For initial recovery, focus on clear liquids like water, oral rehydration solutions, clear broths, and herbal teas. Once you can tolerate these, slowly add bland, low-fiber foods such as bananas, white rice, and toast.

Should I completely avoid dairy products?

During an active flare-up, it is often best to avoid dairy, as some people experience temporary lactose intolerance. You can gradually reintroduce low-fat dairy or try lactose-free alternatives as your symptoms improve.

What are the most important fluids to drink?

To prevent dehydration, it's crucial to drink plenty of clear fluids. The best options are water, oral rehydration solutions, and clear broths. Sip them frequently in small amounts to avoid upsetting your stomach.

Are there any foods to avoid during noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis?

Yes, avoid fatty, fried, and greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and high-sugar drinks. These can irritate the digestive tract and worsen symptoms.

Can I have fruit and vegetables?

During a flare-up, limit high-fiber raw fruits and vegetables. Instead, opt for cooked, soft vegetables like carrots and green beans, or cooked fruits like applesauce and peeled, soft fruits like cantaloupe.

Is the BRAT diet still recommended?

The BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) is a good short-term option for easing back into eating because the foods are bland and easy to digest. However, it is restrictive and lacks full nutrition, so you should transition to a more balanced diet as soon as you can tolerate it.

How do I know when I can return to a normal diet?

You can begin transitioning back to your normal diet slowly once your symptoms have significantly subsided. Start by reintroducing foods that you have previously tolerated well, while continuing to monitor for any adverse reactions.