A therapeutic diet for gastritis (inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining) can significantly relieve and improve the discomfort and symptoms that arise.Diet can also prevent the onset of chronic gastritis.Gastritis can occur for a number of reasons.
Causes of gastritis
- excessive consumption of alcohol;
- chronic vomiting (from illness or bulimia);
- constant stress and certain medications (aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs are two well-known culprits);
- but most cases of gastritis and peptic ulcer are caused by H. pylori infection, which causes serious disturbances in the acid balance of the stomach and intestinal flora.
Why are special foods and diets recommended for gastritis?
Foods that soothe stomach inflammation, such as broccoli and yogurt, are recommended as they are known to balance stomach acid.Proper nutrition in the treatment of gastritis is crucial.
A diet for gastritis patients is sometimes the only course of treatment needed to control the problem.Food in this case can really be medicine.
Allowed foods for gastritis
There are certain foods that should be eaten when you have gastritis and ulcers because they have an anti-inflammatory effect on the stomach lining and can relieve severe internal inflammation.
Below is a list of recommended foods to help with a gastritis and reflux diet:
- Broccoli sproutscontain a chemical called sulforaphane, which helps kill H. pylori because it has an antibacterial effect.A 2009 study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research found that a group of people with H. pylori who ate a cup of broccoli sprouts every day for eight weeks had significantly less inflammation and stomach infections than those who ate the same amount of alfalfa sprouts that did not contain sulforesin;
- Yogurt milkis also an excellent choice for restoring the intestinal flora back to normal and balancing the stomach.It's best to choose low-fat or fat-free brands that contain live and active bacteria.Choose plain yogurt and add honey (unless you're allergic to it) as a sweetener to soothe your stomach;
- Fruits- excellent food for gastritis (with some exceptions).You can eat two to four fruits a day:apples, bananas, pears, peaches, grapes, melons and kiwis;
- vegetablesare also an amazing and soothing product (with some exceptions that will be listed below in the list of prohibited products);
- grainhelps to stimulate intestinal function, helps to prevent or reduce the symptoms of gastritis.Consume foods high in fiber such asbrown rice, oatmeal, barley, whole grain breads and cereals, crackers, pasta and cornmeal;
- Proteins such aslean meat, fish, poultry and eggsThese are all great low-fat foods.For those on a plant-based diet, choose foods like nuts, seeds, dried beans and lentils;
- You can also eatapplesauce, drink apple juice, skim milk and light cheeseslow fat content.
Prohibited foods for gastritis
A diet for chronic gastritis will help eliminate any irritation in the stomach.Giving up coffee and sugar may seem difficult at first, but once you understand how diet plays a role in healing, it won't be a problem.
Below are the gastritis drinks and foods that you should avoid in your diet if you suffer from gastritis.
- coffee
- Alcohol
- tea
- Spicy dishes including chili and curry
- Black and red pepper, radishes
- Fatty foods (they increase stomach acid)
- All low-fat dairy products except skim milk and low-fat cheese
- tomatoes
- Tomato products (sauce, paste, preserves, juice)
- Oranges, grapefruits, figs, dried fruits
- Fast food
- Fried food
- Dried sausages
- oil
- Soft drinks or any drinks with added sugar
- Carbonated drinks (increase stomach acidity)
- Citrus and pineapple juice
Certain herbs and plants help reduce the number of H. pylori and relieve inflammation:
- Cranberry: Some studies suggest that cranberry may inhibit the further growth of H. pylori;
- Deglycylated Licorice (DGL): Licorice is best chewed.This should be done one hour before or two hours after eating;
- Peppermint: May help relieve peptic ulcer symptoms.
Sample diet for gastritis
Below is a menu for 7 days for gastritis.Food items may be substituted according to personal preference.
In addition to the meal plan, it is recommended to start each day with a cup of herbal tea, followed by a fruit snack 20 minutes later.Breakfast – 30 minutes after fruit.
Day one
- breakfast- two slices of wholemeal toast with plum jam
- A snack— Fruits
- Lunch— steamed skinless chicken breast with carrot or coleslaw
- Dinner— brown rice with carrots and broccoli
Day two
- breakfast— Millet porridge with raisins, honey or almonds to taste
- A snack- fruit or a cup of black or green tea
- Lunch- a bowl of pumpkin, brown rice and tofu soup
- Dinner- one medium banana and yogurt with oats
Day three
- breakfast- two slices of whole grain bread with low-fat cheese
- A snack- lemon balm tea and one medium-sized banana
- Lunch— roasted trout and green salad with olive oil
- Dinner– vegetable salad with pumpkin seeds
Day four
- breakfast- oatmeal with almonds, honey, banana and pumpkin or sesame seeds
- A snack- chamomile tea and apple slices
- Lunch- chicken breast without skin, as well as carrot or beet salad
- Dinner- spinach and whole wheat pasta
Day five
- breakfast— Oatmeal from semolina with skimmed milk
- A snack– 10 almonds
- Lunch- two eggs, one medium-sized potato and beetroot salad
- Dinner— banana smoothie with alfalfa sprouts, raspberries and honey
Day six
- breakfast- dried fruits and buckwheat salad
- A snack- carrot juice
- Lunch- vegetable salad
- Dinner- steamed vegetables and a slice of whole wheat bread
Day seven
- breakfast- a slice of cornbread and yogurt
- A snack– one medium banana and tea
- Lunch- one piece of chicken leg and leg without skin
- Dinner- muesli balls made with oats, almonds, raisins, honey, cinnamon and coconut flakes
With gastritis, it is important to plan meals and take breaks between meals.Avoid drinking water during and immediately after meals.Drink water between meals.
In addition to changes in food choices, lifestyle changes may include limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol, reducing stress, and quitting smoking.It is also recommended to exercise three to five times a week.
Having gastritis means you will have to limit your intake of some of your favorite foods to prevent painful symptoms from exacerbating.The diet for the treatment of gastritis, taking into account your preferences, can be quite diverse in the choice of dishes.
General recommendations
Eat less food, but eat more often.The plan is to eat five to six times during the day, every 2 to 3 hours;
Do not eat before going to bed.It is preferable to completely stop eating 3 hours before going to bed.However, if this is too difficult, try eating one to two hours before bed;
Drink water.Drink a glass of water between meals, but not during meals;
Give up bad habits if you have any.Stop drinking alcohol and smoking.Smoking slows the healing of the stomach lining;
Try to be less nervous.Emotional stress can be the main cause of inflammation of the stomach and worsen the symptoms of the disease.