Show
Lean meats like chicken are among the best foods for gastroparesis. Image Credit: istetiana/Moment/GettyImages In This Article
Finding foods to eat with gastroparesis can present quite a challenge, whether you're cooking at home or dining at a restaurant. But knowing which foods trigger the condition can help you create a gastroparesis-friendly diet plan to keep symptoms at bay. TipThe best way to manage gastroparesis is with a nutritious diet full of easy-to-digest foods like cooked fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and lean meats. What Is Gastroparesis?Gastroparesis is an abnormally slow transit of food from your stomach to your small intestine, according to Harvard Health Publishing. It occurs when the vagus nerve — which is the nerve that controls your stomach muscles — is damaged or non-functional, says Michael Cline, DO, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic. Per the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include:
For some people, there's no known cause of their vagus nerve problems, according to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD). In other cases, Dr. Cline says these underlying conditions may be to blame:
A nutritious diet is the best gastroparesis treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But if that isn't cutting it, your doctor may recommend medications to control the condition or its symptoms. In severe cases, you may need surgery to insert a feeding tube so food can bypass your stomach and go straight to your small intestine. Foods to Eat With Gastroparesis
Fruits and vegetable juices are easier to digest than raw produce and can help prevent gastroparesis symptoms. Image Credit: fcafotodigital/iStock/GettyImages These are some healthy foods for gastroparesis to include in your diet, according to the Cleveland Clinic. 1. Easily Digestible ProteinsA well-rounded gastroparesis diet includes multiple choices from each major food group. The Cleveland Clinic recommends eating easy-to-digest proteins such as:
2. Cooked Fruits and VegetablesSkinning and cooking your fruits and vegetables helps break down some of the fiber that might otherwise irritate your stomach, according to University of Michigan Health. Per the Cleveland Clinic, options include:
3. Refined GrainsWhole grains are fibrous and can thus be difficult to digest with gastroparesis. But these processed grains may go easier on your stomach, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
4. Certain Dairy ProductsDairy products are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, as long as you can tolerate them. Stick to fat-free or low-fat versions of the following foods, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
5. Nutritious LiquidsFluids are easier on your digestive system than solid snacks, which is why the Cleveland Clinic includes liquids on the list of foods you can eat with gastroparesis. Options for a liquid diet include:
Stay Hydrated Good hydration is important to help you avoid common gastroparesis symptoms like nausea. The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends consuming 11.5 cups of fluid from beverages and food per day for people assigned female at birth and 15.5 cups for people assigned male at birth. Though these guidelines are from 2004, they're still regarded as healthy daily hydration goals. Foods to Limit or Avoid With Gastroparesis
Fiber-rich foods like oats, nuts and seeds can trigger gastroparesis symptoms. Image Credit: Claudia Totir/Moment/GettyImages There are also certain foods you should avoid with gastroparesis. According to the Mayo Clinic, these are some common trigger foods. 1. Raw, Fibrous Fruits and VegetablesHigh-fiber foods like raw fruits and vegetables can slow your stomach emptying. In some cases, this can lead to a solid mass of food called a bezoar, which can block your stomach and cause nausea, vomiting and further difficulty digesting, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Raw produce can contribute to that problem, so it's best to limit or avoid all uncooked, unpeeled or dried fruits and vegetables, per the Cleveland Clinic. 2. Whole GrainsFibrous grains can likewise be difficult for your stomach to process. The Cleveland Clinic recommends avoiding:
3. Nuts and SeedsFiber-rich nuts and seeds may be a strain on your digestive system. Per the Cleveland Clinic, common offenders include:
4. Fatty FoodsHigh-fat foods slow stomach emptying, which is why fat-free or low-fat options are preferable if you have gastroparesis. While certain fats like butter or cooking oils may be OK in moderation, the Cleveland Clinic suggests skipping these other fatty foods.
5. Carbonated DrinksCarbonated beverages can contribute to symptoms like bloating and feelings of fullness, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Instead, opt for water or other non-sparkling, hydrating drinks. 6. AlcoholAlcohol can also aggravate gastroparesis symptoms and make it harder for your stomach to empty, per the Cleveland Clinic. TipWorking with a registered dietitian can help you create a customized diet plan that includes easily digestible foods and drinks, plus personalized guidelines for what foods trigger your gastroparesis. Other Ways to Manage GastroparesisTreating gastroparesis isn't an exact science because the cause and symptoms of the condition vary from person to person, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. You should always talk to your doctor about the best ways to approach your particular symptoms, but here are some general tips that may help you manage the condition. 1. Eat Small MealsHelp food pass through your stomach more quickly by sending smaller quantities of food to your digestive system at once, according to Indiana University Health. Generally, that means eating about four to six light meals a day. As a bonus, this strategy may also reduce bloating and feelings of fullness. 2. Chew Your Food ThoroughlyGive your stomach a head start by chewing your food well so it's broken down by the time it hits your digestive system, according to the Mayo Clinic. 3. Exercise After EatingExercising lightly after eating, like taking a leisurely walk, can help kickstart the digestive process, per the Cleveland Clinic. 4. Avoid Lying Down After EatingIf possible, don't lie down for two hours after finishing a meal to encourage food to move down into your digestive tract, according to the Mayo Clinic. 5. Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar LevelsIf you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels in check can help mediate gastroparesis symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Work with your doctor or a registered dietitian to build a diet plan that helps stabilize blood sugar. 6. Talk to Your Doctor About Your MedicationsIf your gastroparesis is a side effect of a medication, work with your doctor to find new options that don't cause digestive upset, according to the Mayo Clinic. What foods make gastroparesis worse?What to Avoid. Raw and dried fruits (such as apples, berries, coconuts, figs, oranges, and persimmons). Raw vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, corn, green beans, lettuce, potato skins, and sauerkraut). Whole-grain cereal.. Nuts and seeds (including chunky nut butters and popcorn). How do people with gastroparesis eat?If you find that smaller, more frequent meals did not improve your symptoms, you may need to follow a liquid diet. Patients with gastroparesis will often tolerate liquids even if solids are not passing well.
How do I empty my stomach with gastroparesis?Eating smaller meals. Increasing the number of daily meals and decreasing the size of each one can help alleviate bloating and possibly allow the stomach to empty more quickly. ... . Chewing food properly. ... . Avoiding lying down during and after meals. ... . Consuming liquid meal replacements. ... . Taking a daily supplement.. What helps gastroparesis fast?Treatment. Eat smaller meals more frequently.. Chew food thoroughly.. Eat well-cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw fruits and vegetables.. Avoid fibrous fruits and vegetables, such as oranges and broccoli, which may cause bezoars.. |