What Should Children Eat When They Have Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a common occurrence in children, mainly due to their poor resistance to various factors. Timely treatment is crucial when a child experiences diarrhea, and in severe cases, medication may be necessary. Additionally, dietary adjustments can also help alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea. Common foods that can be consumed by children with diarrhea include milk diluted with rice water, toasted rice, yogurt, skim milk, fish protein powder, and cooked apple puree.
1. Milk Diluted with Rice Water: Casein in mammals is the primary source of amino acids, phosphorus, and calcium for babies. However, the precipitate formed when casein reacts with stomach acid is not easily digestible for babies. Diluting milk with rice water makes the curd smoother and easier for babies to absorb. Additionally, rice water itself contains a small amount of starch, which hydrolyzes to supplement glucose in the baby's body and helps protect their spleen and stomach.
2. Toasted Rice: Carbon has good adsorptive properties. When rice is toasted and consumed by babies, the carbonaceous part can absorb excess water, effectively improving loose stool.
3. Yogurt: Through fermentation, yogurt degrades large molecules that are difficult to digest in the gastrointestinal tract, improving their absorption and utilization. It also reduces the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestine and boosts immunity.
4. Skim Milk: Milk with a fat content of less than 0.5% is considered skim milk. The significantly reduced fat content is more conducive to digestion in babies, reducing the risk of obesity and providing anticancer benefits.
5. Fish Protein Powder: Fish protein powder is highly nutritious and easy to absorb. Additionally, it has a low-fat content and lacks the lactose found in regular milk powder, making it easy to digest. This not only effectively alleviates diarrhea in babies but also ensures they do not lack nutrition.
6. Cooked Apple Puree: Apples contain tannic acid and pectin, which are effective in treating diarrhea. Tannic acid, also known as tannin, has the effect of astringing the gastrointestinal tract, effectively killing bacteria in the intestines and firming up stool. When heated, pectin can adsorb a large amount of water, increasing the density of stool. Cooking apples until tender and then mashing them into a puree can increase a baby's appetite and help relieve diarrhea.