What diet plan should I follow due to my stomach problems?
Answered by: Dr Neesha Choksy
| Consultant Nutritionist and Fitness Trainer,
Texas, USA
Q: I was operated for gallbladder appendix and intestinal TB 11 years back and after that another operation in the small intestine due to blockage. Since then I am having pain in my stomach once in a month on an average. Generally I take Voveran for it. Since the last three months I have been having more frequent pains. My tests are normal except my bile duct, which is more than 1 mm wide. There are no stones in the bile duct. Kindly suggest me a diet and can I take duphalac regularly?
A:This may be due to one or more of these conditions:
Reduced food intake as a result of appetite loss and difficulty in eating.
Poor absorption of nutrients
Changes in the way the body uses the nutrients it receives or has stored.
You require a nutritionally well balanced diet. A nutritious diet is one that provides a variety of foods in adequate quantities and combinations to supply essential nutrients on a daily basis. Foods such as rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, ragi etc supply energy or calories, protein, and invisible fats. These foods also contribute iron, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid and fiber. The pulses and legumes (eg beans, soya beans, peas, Rajmah, Bengal grams etc) provide energy, protein, invisible fat, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, folic acid, calcium, iron and fiber.
Milk, curd, skimmed milk, cheese, almonds, groundnuts, chicken, meat, liver, egg, fish and other flesh foods supply mainly protein, fat, calcium and vitamin B2. Green leafy vegetables, yellow or orange fruits and vegetables such as papaya, mango, carrots, tomato, pumpkin, stems, leaves and flowers of plants, ladies finger, bringals, bittergourds and other gourds, cabbage, cauliflower, drumsticks, fruits such as amla, lemons, orange are rich in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C and calcium, iron and folic acid. They also contribute half of vitamin A requirement. Other major nutrients are invisible fat, vitamin B2 and fiber. They provide variety in taste and texture and furnish roughage in the diet. You will need to specify the details of your condition to a dietitian who will recommend the quantity of fiber you require in your diet. Oils should be used sparingly in the diet. They add taste and flavour to the food. Diets containing foodstuffs drawn from each of these foods supply all essential nutrients in adequate amounts and will keep you in a good state of health.
Vitamin and mineral supplements are no substitutes for good eating habits. You will meet all your nutritional requirements by following a balance diet. Water is an important component of the body and its functions. Water s also found in tea, soups, milk, juices and fruits. However, one should not rely on tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks as sources of water, as they can interfere with absorption of nutrients and may interact poorly with medicines.
Tea and coffee should be taken in moderation. Alcohol can damage the ability of the body to fight disease. Alcohol should be either avoided or taken in very small quantities. Some alcoholic beverages like beer contain a lot of sugar and yeast that may be harmful to you. Alcohol can also interact with medicines to create uncomfortable or dangerous side effects.
Speak to your doctor about the intake of Duphalac.
