Gastritis Diet: What should you eat and avoid
by Freya • 4 minutes read
Last updated: 08 Nov, 2022
Gastritis is a condition which affects about 8 out every 1,000 people,It is an inflammation of the stomach lining.
Eating certain foods and drinks can trigger gastritis and eating others can help reduce symptoms, so it can be helpful to know what to avoid and what to eat if you suffer from the condition.
There are two types of gastritis, acute gastritis, which comes on suddenly and fiercely or chronic gastritis, which lasts longer.
What are the causes of Gastritis?
helicobacter pylori infection (caused by bacteria)
taking anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen
Alcohol abuse
being very stressed and unwell - illnesses that affect blood flow can increase acid in the stomach
Autoimmune diseases
What are the symptoms of Gastritis?
tummy pain.
indigestion.
feeling full and bloated.
feeling sick (nausea)
being sick (vomiting)
not feeling as hungry as usual.
burping and farting
Vomiting blood or coffee ground type material
Black, tarry stool
Foods to avoid:
Food allergies and fatty foods are the main culprit for worsening the inflammation in the lining of the stomach. It can also be caused from drinking too often or too much in a short amount of time.
Understanding what foods can worsen the condition can help to prevent and treat gastritis.
So what should you avoid?
Alcohol
Chocolate
Coffee and tea
Acidic fruits and vegetables
Dairy products
Energy drinks
Fatty/fried foods
Fried eggs
Ice cream
Cakes and baked goods
Garlic
Salsa, mayo, creamy sauces
Marinades
nuts / nut butter
Crisps
Processed meat
Red meat
Spices/spicy foods
tomato products
Foods you can eat:
As already mentioned, there are some foods that can help with symptoms and prevention.
Low fat and acidity, and high fibre foods are your best bet, mainly because foods high in fat and acid can cause harm and worsen the condition.
So what can you eat?
Eggs
Vegetables e.g. cucumber and carrots (avoid onion)
Legumes and beans
Low-acid and low-sugar fruits e.g. blueberries
Low fat cheese
Ginger
Turmeric
Oats
Plain and low-fat yoghurt
Kombucha
Kimchi
Rice
Seafood
Honey
Whole grain bread
Skinless, lean meats and poultry
Studies have shown that probiotics can be helpful with stomach issues, including Gastritis caused by a helicobacter pylori infection.
Although there are a lot of restrictions with the gastritis diet, it is vital to maintain a balanced diet, you need grains, dairy, fruits and vegetables, and protein.
Grains
Bland grains such as rice, brown bread, and pasta are ideal as they are high in fibre, which is vital for digestive health.
Fruit and vegetables
Low-acidic vegetables can help protect against acids in the stomach, choose blueberries, strawberries, bananas, spinach, cucumber, sweet potatoes.
Protein
Protein is important in any diet, it helps repair and build cells. Choose lean meats such as skinless chicken and turkey, eggs are also high in protein, as well as nuts and nut butters.
Dairy
Choose low-fat dairy products as fats can cause irritation, this could be low-fat milk, yoghurts, and cheese.
How to manage stomach ulcers through your diet
Often people with gastritis suffer from stomach ulcers (also known as a peptic ulcer), usually if the condition is left untreated. It is also common if the condition stemmed from H. pylori, as the infection is found in the digestive system, it can cause ulcers.
It is vital to get a lot of nutrients when you have an ulcer, a healthy and balanced can help speed up the healing process.
The best foods for stomach ulcers include:
low fat cheeses, milk and yoghurts
some fruits, including apples and melons
Non-acidic vegetables, including leafy greens, spinach and carrots
lentils, chickpeas, and soybeans
olive oil and vegetable oils
lean meats
natural juices
- Gastritis: Indigestion, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis (clevelandclinic.org) - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10349-gastritis
- Gastritis: Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, and More (healthline.com) - https://www.healthline.com/health/gastritis
- Gastritis - NHS (www.nhs.uk) - http://www.nhs.uk
- Potential role of probiotics in the management of gastric ulcer - PMC (nih.gov) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4906699/
- Gastritis Diet: What to Eat for Better Management (verywellhealth.com) - https://www.verywellhealth.com/gastritis-diet-what-to-eat-for-better-management-4767967
- Gastritis Diet: What to Eat and What to Avoid - https://www.healthline.com/health/gastritis-diet#treatments
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