What is gastritis?
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused by irritation due to excessive alcohol use, chronic vomiting, stress, or the use of certain medications like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin). H. pylori bacterial infection is another common cause. Acute gastritis comes on suddenly and causes abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating. Chronic gastritis develops more gradually and can lead to loss of appetite, indigestion, and stomach ulcers.
What foods should you eat if you have gastritis?
Certain foods may help provide symptom relief from gastritis by coating and protecting the stomach lining. Foods that are recommended include:
– Oatmeal – The soluble fiber in oats helps neutralize stomach acid and the consistency provides a soothing coating.
– Bananas – Bananas are smooth and easy to digest. They help replenish lost electrolytes and provide potassium.
– Applesauce – The pectin in applesauce has a protective coating effect. Opt for unsweetened varieties.
– Boiled potatoes – Baked potatoes are also an option. Potatoes help absorb excess stomach acid.
– Cooked whole grains – Brown rice, quinoa, and barley add fiber and nutrients.
– Lean meats – Skinless poultry and fish provide protein without fat irritation.
– Soft, cooked vegetables – Well-cooked carrots, green beans, spinach and zucchini are gentle options.
– Bone broth – The collagen and amino acids help repair stomach tissue.
– Yogurt – Probiotic yogurt contains beneficial bacteria to support gut health. Choose plain, low-fat varieties.
What foods should you avoid with gastritis?
Certain foods may further irritate or damage the stomach lining. Foods to limit or avoid include:
– Spicy foods – Chile peppers, hot sauces, and black pepper may aggravate stomach inflammation.
– Acidic foods – Citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar can increase stomach acid production.
– Fatty foods – High-fat meats, fried foods, and whole-milk dairy may worsen gastritis symptoms.
– Caffeine – Coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate contain caffeine which can irritate the stomach.
– Alcohol – All alcoholic beverages can further damage the stomach lining.
– Raw veggies – The cellulose in uncooked vegetables, like salad greens, can be difficult to digest.
– Nuts and seeds – While healthy otherwise, they’re hard to break down for an inflamed stomach.
– Saltine crackers – The coarse texture and salt content makes them hard to tolerate.
So in summary, stick to bland, low-fiber foods that are easy on the stomach. Avoid foods that are very acidic, spicy, fatty, or contain alcohol or caffeine.
What are the best foods to eat during a gastritis flare-up?
During a flare-up when gastritis symptoms worsen, you may need to follow a bland diet as you recover. Some of the best foods to eat during this time include:
– Hot cereals – Oatmeal, cream of wheat, or rice porridge provide comforting soluble fiber.
– Gelatin – The smooth, gel-like consistency coats and protects the stomach lining.
– Scrambled eggs – The protein is easy to digest. Avoid adding fat or hot spices.
– Mashed potatoes – Stick to plain boiled or mashed potatoes without butter or gravy.
– Clear broths – Simple chicken, vegetable, or beef broth help provide hydration.
– Herbal teas – Chamomile, peppermint, and ginger teas help relax the stomach.
– Apple juice – Sip small amounts of diluted, unsweetened apple juice.
– Smoothies – Blended fruit and yogurt smoothies without seeds or pulp are easy to digest.
During a flare-up, you’ll also want to avoid your known trigger foods. Stick to a gastritis diet until your symptoms subside. Then slowly reintroduce other foods.
What foods provide the best nutritional support for gastritis?
Eating a balanced, gastritis-friendly diet can help you meet your nutritional needs despite stomach inflammation. Some of the top foods to include are:
Protein
– Eggs
– Skinless poultry
– Fish and seafood
– Tofu
– Legumes
Carbohydrates
– Cooked grains like rice, quinoa, oats
– Starchy vegetables like potatoes, winter squash
– Fruits like bananas, melons, applesauce
Fiber
– Well-cooked vegetables
– Fruits without skin or seeds
– Whole grain breads or crackers
Healthy fats
– Olive oil
– Avocados
– Nut butters
Probiotics
– Yogurt
– Kefir
– Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut
Focus on getting antioxidants like vitamin C from foods like citrus, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and vitamin A from orange vegetables. Keep your diet diverse but stick to soft, low-fiber foods your stomach can handle.
What vitamins & supplements help gastritis?
Certain vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements may help reduce gastritis symptoms and promote healing by providing antioxidant effects, reducing inflammation, and supporting gut barrier function.
Some of the most beneficial supplements include:
– Vitamin C – Enhances immune defenses and promotes tissue repair.
– Zinc – Improves mucus production that protects the stomach lining.
– Probiotics – Beneficial bacteria support digestive health and gut barrier function.
– Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) – Soothes stomach discomfort and ulcers.
– Slippery elm – Forms a protective barrier over irritated tissue.
– Marshmallow root – Has anti-inflammatory effects on stomach lining.
– Chamomile or peppermint teas – Calming herbs that reduce spasms and inflammation.
– Glutamine – Repairs damaged tissue and improves nutrient absorption.
– Mastic gum – Kills H. pylori bacteria and reduces acid production.
Always check with your doctor before starting new supplements, especially if you take other medications. Proper dosage is important.
What foods should you eat after recovering from gastritis?
After following a gastritis diet during active inflammation, you can slowly start to expand your diet as your stomach heals. However, it’s important to continue avoiding triggers that could cause flare-ups. Here are some tips for maintaining a gastritis-friendly diet long-term:
– Gradually reintroduce fiber – Add skin-on fruits, raw veggies, beans, and whole grains back in.
– Limit fatty foods – Smaller portions of healthy fats are ok, but avoid fried and greasy foods.
– Reduce alcohol and caffeine – If you reintroduce them, limit intake to occasional moderate amounts.
– Avoid known triggers – You likely learned your personal trigger foods during your recovery. Continue avoiding them.
– Eat smaller meals – Large volumes may stretch and irritate the stomach.
– Allow time between meals – Let your stomach fully digest before eating again.
– Chew thoroughly – Break down food well to ease digestion.
– Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water and limit sodas.
– Take supplements – Continue probiotics and supportive nutrients like zinc and vitamin C.
– See your doctor – Follow up regularly to monitor your condition. Report any recurring symptoms.
With care and by avoiding flare triggers, most people are able to return to a normal, healthy diet after gastritis heals.
Sample 7-day meal plan for gastritis
Here is a sample 7-day meal plan with gastritis-friendly foods to help manage symptoms:
| Day 1 |
Breakfast: Oatmeal with banana slices and cinnamon. Greek yogurt with blueberries. Lunch: Baked chicken over cooked quinoa with steamed carrots. Dinner: Broth-based vegetable soup. Soft whole wheat bread. |
|---|---|
| Day 2 |
Breakfast: Cream of wheat with apple sauce. Chamomile tea. Lunch: Tuna salad sandwich on soft bread. Bowl of chicken noodle soup. Dinner: Baked salmon with mashed potatoes and cooked spinach. |
| Day 3 |
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with cheese. Melon slices. Lunch: Baked sweet potato topped with black beans, avocado, cilantro. Dinner: Veggie and brown rice stir-fry. Ginger tea. |
| Day 4 |
Breakfast: Peach smoothie with yogurt and oats. Lunch: Turkey sandwich with soft bread, lettuce, tomato. Side of apple sauce. Dinner: Beef bone broth. Rice crackers with nut butter. |
| Day 5 |
Breakfast: Buckwheat porridge with bananas and cinnamon. Lunch: Baked white fish with rice and steamed broccoli. Dinner: Chicken noodle soup. Rice cakes with peanut butter. |
| Day 6 |
Breakfast: Poached eggs on soft whole wheat toast. Fruit salad. Lunch: Leftover salmon over salad with vinaigrette dressing. Dinner: Turkey meatballs with pasta and marinara sauce. |
| Day 7 |
Breakfast: Oatmeal with blueberries and flaxseed. Chamomile tea. Lunch: Grilled chicken sandwich on soft bread. Steamed carrots. Dinner: Veggie fried rice with tofu. Miso soup. |
This meal plan focuses on nutritious but soothing foods. Make adaptations based on your own tolerances and nutritional needs. Discuss optimal eating plans with your healthcare provider.
What is the best diet to prevent gastritis flare-ups?
Making certain dietary changes can help prevent recurrent gastritis flares in the long run:
– Avoid trigger foods – Don’t eat foods that seem to worsen your symptoms. Common culprits are spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and NSAIDs if possible.
– Limit acidic foods – High acid foods like citrus, tomatoes, and vinegar may irritate the stomach over time.
– Eat smaller, more frequent meals – Large volumes stretch the stomach. Small meals are easier to digest.
– Manage stress – Chronic stress can increase stomach acid production and gastritis risk.
– Quit smoking – Smoking increases stomach acid and worsens inflammation.
– Take protective supplements – Probiotics, zinc, antioxidants, and DGL may help prevent flares.
– Treat H. pylori – Get tested and take antibiotics if infected, to reduce the chance of recurrence.
– See your doctor – Have regular check-ups to monitor your condition and repeat testing if needed.
Making dietary and lifestyle changes tailored to your specific triggers gives you the best chance of preventing repeat gastritis flares.
What foods irritate gastritis the most?
Certain foods are common irritants that can worsen gastritis symptoms for many people. Foods most likely to cause gastritis flare-ups include:
– Spicy foods – Hot peppers, chili powder, hot sauce contain capsaicin that can further inflame the stomach lining.
– Alcohol – All types of alcohol can irritate and erode the mucosa. They also increase stomach acid production.
– Caffeine – Found in coffee, tea, soda and chocolate, caffeine can overstimulate gastric acid secretion.
– Acidic foods – Citrus fruits, vinegars, and tomatoes are high acidity foods that may aggravate symptoms.
– Fatty and fried foods – Greasy, high-fat foods require more stomach acid to digest and can cause discomfort.
– Raw vegetables – The insoluble fiber is hard to break down, especially lettuce, cabbage, and corn.
-Whole grains – The bran and fiber content make grains more difficult to digest. Refined grains are better tolerated.
– Carbonated beverages – The bubbles expand in the stomach, causing distension.
– NSAIDs – Overuse of aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen can damage the stomach lining.
Avoiding your personal trigger foods is key to preventing flare-ups of gastritis symptoms. Work with your doctor or dietitian to identify problem foods.
Conclusion
Following a gastritis-friendly diet centered around bland, low-fiber foods can help manage nausea, pain, and indigestion. Bland starchy foods, lean proteins, broths, smoothies, and cooked vegetables are beneficial while fatty, acidic, and spicy foods should be limited or avoided. Supplements like zinc and probiotics may also aid healing. With dietary adjustments and care to avoid trigger foods, most people can achieve relief from gastritis flare-ups and prevent recurrences. Consulting your healthcare provider is important to develop an optimal, personalized eating plan.
