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Happy Tummy Expert

3 months ago

Dear Bivash Parui, Thank you for the question

If you are not facing this issue regularly and have experienced only one episode recently it may be due to food poisoning which is caused by eating something that has been contaminated with germs. This can happen if food was not stored, cooked or reheated properly. It also occurs in instances where the food was handled by infected person or food eaten beyond its ‘use by’ date.

The Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, high temperature etc. For confirmation of the diagnosis of food poisoning or any other potential food infection please contact a health care professional.

One of the key things to take care of is the intake of fluids. Drink at least 8 glasses of water along with fruit juices to prevent dehydration.

Indigestion towards certain foods (such as spicy foods as mentioned by you), malabsorption, vomiting, diarrhoea, gastritis inability to digest/absorb certain nutrients can occur due to intolerance, digestive issues, food allergies or any underlying health condition or due to food poisoning as mentioned by you,  which requires medical attention.

Certain food intolerances can cause bloating and stomach pain after consuming specific foods. In lactose intolerance it is seen after consuming milk and milk products like cheese, paneer etc. And in gluten intolerance it is seen after consuming, wheat, rye, barley etc.

We recommend you to consult a specialized health professional such as a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis and management.

 Here are a few dietary tips to help manage gastritis

• Eat all your meals on regular intervals. Include small snacks in between throughout the day
• Eat slowly and chew the food well, try not to use straws for beverages to avoid swallowing extra air
• Do not suck on ice or candy.
• Limit the intake of high fat foods, spices, acidic foods and carbonated beverages etc., from your daily diet
• One of the dietary factors associated with bloating is the intake and poor absorption of short chain carbohydrates called FODMAP foods. Consumption of foods that as may lead to excess gas production and poor gas clearance. In case of severe bloating abdominal pain and/or IBS try to limit the intake of FODMAP containing foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, corn, turnips, onions, peas, wheat, dairy, radishes, lentils, apples, pears etc.
• Practice regular physical activity and stress management

Here are a few guidelines for general digestive health.

• Do not skip your meals, have small frequent meals at regular intervals.
• Include a minimum  4 of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit in a day as they are good sources of fiber and essential nutrients such as vitamin A, Vitamin B, iron, zinc etc.
• Include prebiotics such as banana, soyabean, garlic etc., good sources of probiotics like yogurt, buttermilk etc., to maintain a healthy gut.
• Try to include whole grains like wheat, millets and multigrain in your diet as they are a good source of fiber and other nutrients.
• Limit the intake of dairy and fiber in case of loose stools/diarrhea
• Avoid large, heavy meals, and practice portion guidance.
• Deep fried foods to be restricted. Method of cooking like baking, grilling, boiling, steaming is preferable over deep frying with excess fat/ oil.
• Try to limit the foods like caffeine, spices, raw onions etc.
• Food should be eaten slowly and chewed well as fast eating provokes gastric feeding reflex.
• Avoid lying down immediately after your meal consumption
• Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day
• Have a gap of minimum 2-3 hours between bedtime and your last meal
• Engage in physical activity for a minimum of 60 minutes for at least 5 days a week.
• Try to follow a good sleep regimen in terms of both quantity and quality.

For a customised and personalised meal plan for specific conditions, please contact your Health care professional.

Hope we have answered your query.

Wishing you a great day ahead

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