Congee, also known as rice porridge, is an Eastern traditional food that has been used for centuries in many countries of the world. Apart from being a staple part of the diet for many cultures it has also been used as a means of maintaining health and in times of convalescence. It is particularly useful for those experiencing diarrhoea.
Congee is a pleasant food to consume, particularly when not feeling well. It has a very mild flavour, which is particularly useful when encouraging children to hydrate when they are not well. Various types of rice can be used for congee, depending on your personal preference. In the case where the diarrhoea does not require medical intervention, congee is an effective food for treatment and recovery. Congee is a low fiber food that will not further disrupt the digestive tract, as well as replenishing the electrolytes lost in the stool.
There has been research conducted on the effectiveness of rice water in the treatment of infantile diarrhoea. It was concluded that rice water was superior to the glucose electrolyte solution that is recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization), in the treatment of infantile diarrhoea.[1] The rice water also promoted weight gain. The research suggests that rice water is an easy and effective way to treat diarrhoea in children, in the case that they are not requiring additional medical intervention.
It has been a part of our approach with our children, that at the first signs of them being unwell, we start cooking a pot of congee. This has been a traditional approach taken by my mother who is of Indian heritage. Congee is said to speed up recovery, and provide much needed nutrients to children who become very fussy eaters while being unwell. It is also handy to drain the liquid from the congee for children to drink, when they are not feeling well enough to consume the rice as well.
Congee is a fantastic traditional food for children while they are unwell, particularly for diarrhoea. In fact, the boys rescued from the Thai cave recently were given congee as their first food by the medical team during their recovery period.[2] Lets not forget this wonderful, easy and safe traditional food.
How to Make Congee
1 cup rice (preferably white rice or red rice)
6-8 cups water
1 teaspoon salt (iodised, rock salt)
After bringing to the boil, place on low heat on stove and simmer for 2 hours or more. In the case that the water reduces down, you can add extra water.
This website provides great variations on congee according to Chinese traditions:
Please remember that diarrhea and vomiting can be dangerous particularly in young children and infants. In the case that there is no improvement, and the child is not getting adequate hydration, please seek medical advice.
[2] https://www.thisisinsider.com/thai-cave-what-hospital-is-like-for-rescued-boys-with-porridge-and-no-tv-2018-7
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