Dietary guidelines for Gastroparesis: Food and beverage recommendations, restrictions, and advice
Havinga pesky tummy trouble called gastroparesis? No worries, mate! You can still manage those pesky symptoms with a bit of diet adjustment and some clever tactics. Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach takes its sweet time to empty, causing a heap of fun symptoms like bloating, heartburn, nausea, tummy pain, and vomiting. Sounds like a blast, right? But fear not, here's a low-down on what to eat and drink to keep those symptoms at bay.
Gastroparesis can be managed with the help of a dietitian who can help you discover which foods suit your nutritional needs yet gentle on that sensitive tummy. It's all about keeping it simple and easy to digest. In general, the following foods are best for those with gastroparesis:
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and veggies are crucial for overall health, but for those with gastroparesis, it's essential to prioritize low-fiber options as fiber slows gastric emptying. Blending or cooking until soft can also make them easier to digest. Straining the resulting juice can help reduce fiber intake even further. Some helpful choices include bananas, melons, canned peaches and pears, vegetable juices, and well-cooked, peeled potatoes and green leaves like spinach.
Carbohydrates
White carbohydrates usually have a lower fiber content than whole grain versions and are easier to digest for those with delayed stomach emptying. Low-fat options include white rice, white bread, white pasta, noodles, crackers, and low-fat milk alternatives like rice milk and almond milk.
Meat, Eggs, and Dairy
Opt for low-fat options like skinless, well-cooked poultry, lean ground meats, skim milk, low-fat cheeses, and low-fat milk alternatives.
What to avoid
It's essential to steer clear of foods that are hard to digest or slow gastric emptying. A study shows that people with gastroparesis should avoid large, high-calorie, fatty meals and foods high in dietary fiber. Large meals, high-fat foods, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and alcohol can worsen gastroparesis symptoms.
Diet tips
Dietary changes are the primary treatment for gastroparesis. Eating smaller meals, chewing food thoroughly, avoiding lying down during and after meals, consuming liquid meal replacements, and taking a daily supplement can help ease symptoms.
Other Treatment Options
If dietary changes don't work, medications, medical procedures, and alternative therapies may help. Medications like metoclopramide and erythromycin can aid stomach emptying, while other medications can treat symptoms like nausea and vomiting. Certain medications can delay stomach emptying, so it's essential to discuss all medications with a doctor. In severe cases, a feeding tube or gastric venting tube may be necessary, and medical professionals may recommend gastric electrical stimulation (GES). Acupuncture may also help improve gastrointestinal symptoms.
The outlook for people with gastroparesis varies, but with the right diet and treatment, symptoms can be managed effectively. Stay strong, and remember: a little adjustment goes a long way! Now, off you go, give those diet changes a whirl! Cheers!
[1] "Gastroparesis Diet: Living with Delayed Gastric Emptying." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 7 May 2021, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastroparesis/gastroparesis-diet.[2] "Gastroparesis Nutrition Therapy." Australia and New Zealand Gastroenterology Training Associates, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Physicians, 20 Sept 2017, https://www.anzgastro.org/page/Gastroparesis_Nutrition_Therapy.[3] "Diet and Gastroparesis." American College of Gastroenterology, 23 Nov 2015, https://www.acg.org/patients/impact-living/topics/diet-and-gastroparesis.[4] "Gastric Emptying and Diabetes: Effects of Diabetes on Gastric Emptying and Diabetic Gastroparesis." National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 5 Jan 2022, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/digestive-disorders/gastric-emptying-diabetes.[5] "Nutrition in Gastroparesis: A Review." Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 4 Nov 2013, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3822750/.
- For those suffering from gastroparesis, a consultation with a dietitian is beneficial to determine suitable foods that cater to nutritional needs while being gentle on the sensitive stomach.
- In managing gastroparesis, focusing on low-fiber fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, melons, and cooked vegetables like spinach, can alleviate symptoms.
- Low-fiber vegetable juices are also recommended, with straining the juice to further reduce fiber intake.
- Carbohydrates with lower fiber content, like white rice, white bread, and low-fat milk alternatives, are easier to digest for individuals with delayed stomach emptying.
- When it comes to meat, eggs, and dairy, opt for low-fat options like skinless poultry, lean ground meats, skim milk, and low-fat cheeses.
- Avoiding large meals, high-fat foods, spicy foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, and alcohol can help reduce gastroparesis symptoms.
- Chewing food thoroughly, eating smaller meals, and not lying down during or after meals are crucial dietary tips for individuals with gastroparesis.
- Consuming liquid meal replacements and taking a daily supplement can also help ease symptoms, depending on a doctor's recommendation.
- In more severe cases, medical procedures like feeding tubes, gastric venting tubes, or gastric electrical stimulation (GES) may be necessary.
- Acupuncture can potentially improve gastrointestinal symptoms as an alternative therapy.
- Medications like metoclopramide and erythromycin may aid stomach emptying, while other medications can treat symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
- While the outlook for people with gastroparesis varies, with the right diet and treatment, symptoms can be effectively managed, emphasizing the importance of persistence and dietary adjustments in living with this chronic condition.
