A therapeutic diet for gastritis (inflammation or irritation of the stomach lining) can significantly relieve and improve the discomfort and symptoms that occur.Diet can also prevent the spread of chronic gastritis.Gastritis can occur for a number of reasons.
Causes of gastritis
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- chronic vomiting (from illness or bulimia);
- constant stress and certain medications (aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs are two known culprits);
- however, in most cases, 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 like broccoli and yogurt are recommended because they are known to balance stomach acid.Proper nutrition is very important in the treatment of gastritis.
For patients with gastritis, diet is sometimes the only course of treatment needed to get the problem under control.In this case, food can really be medicine.
Allowed foods for gastritis
There are certain foods that should be eaten during 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 your gastritis and reflux diet:
- Broccoli sproutsit contains a chemical called sulforpaxan, 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 one 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 without sulforesin;
- YogurtIt is also an excellent choice for restoring normal intestinal flora 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 as a sweetener to help settle your stomach (unless you have allergies);
- 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;
- Vegetablesit is also an amazing and calming product (with some exceptions, which will be mentioned in the list of prohibited products below);
- Grainhelps stimulate intestinal function, prevents or reduces symptoms of gastritis.consume high-fiber foods 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 following a plant-based diet, choose foods such as nuts, seeds, dry beans and lentils;
- You can eat it toodrink apples, apple juice, skim milk and light cheeseslow fat.
Prohibited foods for gastritis
A diet for chronic gastritis will help to eliminate any irritation in the stomach.At first, giving up coffee and sugar may seem difficult, but once you understand how diet plays a role in recovery, it won't be a problem.
Below are the gastritis drinks and foods that you should avoid from your diet if you suffer from gastritis.
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Tea
- Spicy foods including chili and curry
- Black and red pepper, radish
- Fatty foods (they increase acidity in the stomach)
- All low-fat dairy products except skim milk and low-fat cheese
- Tomato
- Tomato products (sauce, paste, preserves, juices)
- Oranges, grapefruit, figs, dried fruits
- Fast food
- Fried food
- Dried sausage
- butter
- Soft drinks or any drinks with added sugar
- Carbonated drinks (increases stomach acidity)
- Citrus and pineapple juice
Some herbs and plants help reduce H. pylori numbers and relieve inflammation:
- Cranberries: Some studies show that cranberries can inhibit the further growth of H. pylori;
- Deglycyrrhizated Licorice (DGL): Licorice is best chewable.This should be done one hour before or two hours after eating;
- Peppermint: May help relieve stomach ulcer symptoms.
Sample diet plan for gastritis
Below is a 7-day menu for gastritis.Food items can be substituted according to personal preference.
In addition to your meal plan, it is recommended to start each day with a glass of herbal tea, followed by a fruit snack 20 minutes later.Breakfast - 30 minutes after fruit.
First day
- Breakfast- two slices of wholemeal toast with plum jam
- Snack- Fruits
- Lunch— baked skinless chicken breast with carrots or coleslaw
- Dinner— brown rice with carrots and broccoli
The second day
- Breakfast— Millet porridge with raisins, honey or almonds to taste
- Snack- fruit or a glass of black or green tea
- Lunch- a bowl of pumpkin soup, brown rice and tofu
- Dinner- one medium banana and yogurt with oatmeal
The third day
- Breakfast- two slices of whole grain bread with low-fat cheese
- Snack- lemon balm tea and one medium banana
- Lunch— green salad with baked trout and olive oil
- Dinner– vegetable salad with pumpkin seeds
The fourth day
- Breakfast- Oatmeal with almonds, honey, banana and pumpkin or sesame
- Snack- chamomile tea and apple slices
- Lunch- skinless chicken breast, as well as carrot or beet salad
- Dinner- spinach and whole wheat pasta
The fifth day
- Breakfast- Semolina porridge with skim milk
- Snack- 10 almonds
- Lunch- two eggs, one medium-sized potato and beet salad
- Dinner— banana smoothie with clover sprouts, raspberries and honey
The sixth day
- Breakfast- dried fruits and buckwheat salad
- Snack- carrot juice
- Lunch- vegetable salad
- Dinner- steamed vegetables and a slice of whole grain bread
Seven days
- Breakfast- a slice of cornbread and yogurt
- Snack– one medium banana and tea
- Lunch- skinless chicken leg and a piece of drumstick
- Dinner- muesli balls made of oats, almonds, raisins, honey, cinnamon and coconut kernels
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 can include limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol, reducing stress, and quitting smoking.In addition, it is recommended to exercise three to five times a week.
In order to prevent your gastritis from exacerbating painful symptoms, you will need to limit your intake of some of your favorite foods.The diet for the treatment of gastritis can be quite diverse in the selection of foods, taking into account your preferences.
General recommendations
Eat less, but eat more often.The plan is to eat five to six times a day, every 2 to 3 hours;
Do not eat before going to bed.Preferably, you should stop eating completely 3 hours before going to bed.But if this is too difficult, try to eat an hour or two before going to bed;
Drink water.Drink a glass of water between meals, but not during meals;
If you have bad habits, give them up.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 gastritis and can aggravate the symptoms of the disease.