Diet for gastritis

25 October 2023

Gastritis is the name given to inflammatory processes of the gastric mucosa, which inevitably lead to digestive problems. A person begins to digest food poorly, as a result of which his health worsens and weakness and lethargy appear. According to statistics, about half of all residents of our country experience one way or another painful symptoms of gastritis.

Diet for gastritis

Many people wonder: what diet to follow in case of gastritis? This is a very important issue, since proper nutrition is an important part of the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. If you suffer from gastritis you should always follow a gentle diet and, if your health improves, you can only gradually return to normal eating habits. In some cases, doctors prescribe a personal diet for gastritis.

It is also necessary to remember that with gastritis, an enzyme deficiency develops, so in some cases, along with a diet to improve digestion, it is worth using enzyme preparations such as Micrazim.

There are two types of gastritis: acute and chronic. In several people, these forms can be accompanied by both high and low levels of gastric acidity. Acute gastritis is of the following types:

fibrinous (aggravates with the appearance of infectious diseases);
catarrhal (accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the external lining of the stomach);
phlegmon (causes purulent inflammatory processes on the gastric walls);
corrosive (one of the side effects of poisoning).

Chronic disease, in turn, presents itself in the following forms:

superficial;
hypertrophic;
polyposis;
bacterial;
granulomatous;
autoimmune.

Another form of chronic gastritis is typical for those people whose stomach walls are damaged due to systematic intake of large amounts of alcohol.

Key principles of the diet for gastritis disorders

Remember that a proper diet for gastritis is the key to successfully overcoming the symptoms. If the acidity of your gastric juice increases, then you need to eat foods that help reduce its activity. Follow three rules:

Mechanical principle. Avoid foods that contain crude fiber. Such products include onion crops, veined meat and bran. Furthermore, dishes cooked in oil are strictly prohibited.
Chemical principle. Avoid foods that can increase gastric secretion. This list includes alcohol, sparkling water, citrus fruits (including their juices), coffee, brown bread, cabbage and rich meat broth.
Thermal principle. Do not eat foods at very high or very low temperatures. They irritate the esophagus and cold food, among other things, stays in the stomach longer than usual.

What foods can you eat if you have gastritis?

Include lean meat (like rabbit) in your diet. Duck, lamb and goose are not allowed, but chicken can only be eaten without skin.

Other acceptable foods and dishes include:

River fish;
seafood;
egg white omelet;
oatmeal and buckwheat porridge;
milk;
courgettes, pumpkin, tomatoes, carrots, various vegetables;
berries with high sugar content;
boiled and pureed fruit.

What should be missing from the diet?

If you have been diagnosed with gastritis caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, it is not recommended to prescribe a diet. Be sure to consult a gastroenterologist or nutritionist so that the treatment of gastritis is consistent and effective.

With this disease, the menu should not include:

Fresh baked goods, especially rye bread, but also puff pastries. Instead, it is better to eat white bread, simple biscuits and tarts.
Soups with rich broth, including mushroom soup, cabbage soup and borscht. Such dishes should be replaced with light vegetable soups with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and onions.
Smoked dishes, as well as meat with fat and veins. Instead, it is better to eat dishes based on boiled or steamed meat (cutlets, meatballs). The types of meat allowed are chicken and lamb.
Hard boiled eggs and fried omelettes. They should be replaced with soft-boiled eggs and steamed omelettes.
Any savory and seasoned dishes, marinades, chocolate, carbonated drinks, coffee and kvass.
Alcohol.

High acidity diet

With this form of gastritis, you should not abuse fruits and vegetables, as they can worsen your health. However, you should not completely remove these products from the menu. Avoid foods that can stimulate acid production in your stomach and opt for foods that reduce acidity. By eating right, you are more likely to lose weight than gain weight. Below is a table showing permitted and prohibited products:

Vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, beets. Light vegetable salads. Tomatoes: ripe, chopped. Cucumbers without skin.	Green.
Fruits: non-acid, ripe, without peel (banana, pear, apple). It is better to eat fruit not raw, but cooked. Watermelons and melons - in very limited quantities.	French fries, pickled foods, sauerkraut.
Milk (cow or goat), cream, yogurt. Fresh ricotta.	Sour cream, kefir, hard cheese.
Soup with dietary broth.	Cabbage soup and borscht in a rich broth.
Pasta	Legumes
Boiled chicken or rabbit meat, lean river fish.	Smoked meats, fish and high-fat meats, canned foods.
Oatmeal and buckwheat	Dried fruit
Soft-boiled eggs.	Chocolate
Crackers, white bread (left to rest for a couple of days), dry biscuits.	Boiled eggs, fried omelette.
Weak tea and coffee, cocoa with added milk.	Rye and freshly baked bread. Cakes, confectionery products with cream filling.

Low acid diet

In such conditions, you have to eat differently than in the previous case. You need to eat foods that promote gastric secretion. The table below shows dishes suitable for remission. If you have severe stomach pain, you need to exclude from the menu dishes that irritate the stomach tissue.

Vegetables: baked potatoes, tomatoes, greens, carrots, beets, pumpkin, pickles.

Diet for gastritis - general recommendations

Patients with gastritis should exclude spices used in the cooking process from the menu. You can improve the taste of food with fresh herbs (parsley, dill, celery). Vegetables will also help add vitamins to your diet: try seasoning all the dishes you eat with finely chopped vegetables.

It is necessary to eat small meals, but avoid snacks; in this way the stomach will not have difficulty digesting the food. Chew your food well and eat slowly. Food consumed in a hurry can worsen health and aggravate gastritis. Chew the food until it turns into an easily digestible paste.

Don't forget that proper and balanced nutrition is the key to treating gastritis. Many patients who followed a strict diet during treatment say that it helped them successfully overcome all the symptoms and pain associated with this disease within 4 weeks.

Important: Before use, read the instructions or consult your doctor.

What to eat for stomach gastritis?

Every day the statistics of gastritis and gastric ulcers in children and adults increase. This also applies to other inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. Patients experience constant pain, which affects their quality of life. It is necessary to promptly contact a gastroenterologist to undergo a complete diagnosis and identify the origin of the lesion. With adequate and timely treatment, the risk of complications is reduced. It is important not only to take medications, but also to create the right diet under the supervision of the doctor and nutritionist. This is the basis of prevention and therapy.

Characteristics of gastritis

Gastritis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the stomach lining, leading to pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms. Of all the pathologies of the digestive tract, the majority of patients suffer from this disease.

Many people underestimate the importance of timely diagnosis of gastritis and consider it a minor deviation that does not require treatment. They think that the disease will not cause any harm and will gradually disappear on its own, without treatment. But if treatment methods and diet are not applied in a timely manner, the pathology can gradually develop into peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum and malignant transformation.

Etiological factors

Many studies have been conducted, statistics have been collected, according to which the basis for the development of inflammatory pathologies of the stomach is Helicobacter pylori. It is a bacterium that attacks the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Most people are just carriers of the bacterium, but under the influence of negative factors it begins to actively multiply, causing pathologies. It is Helicobacter pylori that over time can lead to the development of atypical cells of the mucosa, which will cause malignant degeneration.

Doctors have identified the main harmful factors that can cause inflammation of the stomach:

Eating poor quality food. It includes fatty, fried, spicy, smoked and excessively salty foods. This type of food aggressively affects the walls of the stomach, causing an inflammatory process. Due to the damage, Helicobacter pylori begins to multiply actively.
KureniAnd. Nicotine and smog during smoking spread into the respiratory tract and digestive system. It negatively affects the mucous membranes, causes irritation and increased inflammation.
Drink large amounts of alcohol. This has a toxic effect on any tissue in the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. It leads to the appearance or intensification of inflammation.
Fatigue. Great physical and psycho-emotional stress. These factors cause the active production of cortisol. It leads to an increase in the release of hydrochloric acid. If it acts on the stomach walls in the absence of a food bolus, damage occurs.

If the patient is affected by several factors at the same time, the disease develops faster.

Clinical signs

In the early stages, the patient and doctor may not notice visual signs. The greater the damage, the more actively the inflammatory process develops. Therefore, over time, the following symptoms appear:

pain in the epigastric region, aggravated by stress, eating, hunger;
nausea, vomiting that occurs regardless of food intake;
constipation, diarrhea.

There are signs that can be used to determine whether a patient has a gastroenterological pathology.If a person has more than 4 symptoms, it is recommended to contact a gastroenterologist:

frequent appearance of epigastric pain;
stitch pain in the middle of the abdomen;
stomach ache;
frequent belching;
constipation, diarrhea;
occasional nausea;
vomiting for no reason;
the presence of any gastroenterological diseases in close relatives;
presence of bad habits (smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, overeating);
periodic use of a strict diet.

It is impossible to independently determine the diagnosis, since symptoms may be present in temporary disorders or other acute and chronic diseases. It is important to undergo examination and diagnosis by a doctor who will prescribe conservative or radical treatment, depending on the developing lesion.

Diet

The diet is prescribed by 2 doctors:

gastroenterologist;
nutritionist.

It is best if these doctors work together to provide quality treatment.But first they undergo examination and diagnostic tests to determine the following factors:

degree of damage to the mucosa;
the degree of spread of the lesion to different parts of the gastrointestinal tract;
reasons for the defeat.

After gathering complete information, a nutritional regimen is developed. This is one of the fundamental treatment methods that reduces the load on the gastrointestinal tract.There are 2 diets for the development of inflammatory stomach diseases:

with high acidity;
with low acidity.

Regardless of the type of diet you choose, the gastroenterologist will have to remind you of the fundamental principles of proper nutrition during illness.

Splitting up. The total volume of products that the patient should consume in 1 day is identified. It is divided into 6 parts, evenly distributing meals throughout the day. That is, the patient must eat food every 3 hours. You should not overeat or starve, as these factors negatively affect the condition of the stomach. One serving of food is approximately the volume of two palms.
To chew. The consumed food begins to be digested in the oral cavity under the influence of saliva, which contains enzymes. Therefore, it is important to chew each piece for a long time.
Rest after eating. You need to sit and lie down for 30 minutes so that the digestive process begins unhindered.
Temperature. If an inflammatory process is suspected, eat warm food. It should not be excessively hot or cold.
Water mode. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day to maintain a stable water-electrolyte balance and prevent the development of dehydration. Drink water little by little throughout the day.
Mandatory protein intake. Proteins are the foundation on which the body is built. Thanks to them, damaged tissues recover faster after gastritis.
Prohibition on eating excessively coarse foods. It should not contain pieces that could damage the affected mucosal structure.
Correct cooking. It is boiled, steamed, baked. Frying or smoking is prohibited.
Ban on alcohol consumption, caffeine, energy drinks, soda.
Maintenance of vitamin concentrations. If they are normal, metabolism and metabolism improve, the nervous system and digestive tract are strengthened. If there are not enough nutrients, multivitamin preparations are used.

Applying these rules reduces the load on the stomach during treatment.

Fruits with high acidity

Gastritis, accompanied by normal or high acidity, requires special nutrition. It is necessary to monitor the temperature of food: it is not recommended to eat foods with a temperature higher than 40-50 ⁰C. Fruit can be eaten pureed, steamed, boiled, baked or stewed, or in puree, mousse, jelly, jelly or compote. It is not recommended to consume fruits with a high content of organic acids (pomegranates, citrus fruits, fresh apricots), unripe or sour fruits. During an exacerbation, all fruits should be used only in puree form. The rest of the time it is better to use:

sweet varieties of apples;
avocado.

Fruits with low acidity

For the opposite form of gastritis, when acidity is reduced, doctors recommend other fruits:

citrus fruits: prevent the formation of malignant cells, maintain normal acidity;
pomegranate and its juice help restore the gastric mucosa;
peaches - promote the production of gastric juice, but can only be consumed by patients who are not allergic to the fruit.

Attention! For any gastrointestinal pathology it is important not to overload the stomach and follow the diet prescribed by the doctor.

Diet for high acid gastritis

If a patient develops this type of stomach inflammation, the following processes are formed:

excessive production of hydrochloric acid;
increased acidity of hydrochloric acid.

Normally, hydrochloric acid is intended to break down stomach contents. But it must be within certain limits so as not to damage body tissues.If its pH increases, irritation of the stomach walls begins, which will lead to the next stages:

inflammation;
erosion;
ulcer;
drilling.

Gastritis can develop at different ages. Prolonged exposure to a harmful factor is sufficient for an inflammatory process to develop. If the acidity of gastric juice increases, it is necessary to follow a certain diet that reduces these indicators.

Attention! Many patients know that taking antacids reduces the acidity of gastric juice. However, it is forbidden to take these drugs alone. They have contraindications and side effects.

When using a diet, it is important to follow some rules for success to occur.

Avoid foods that cause or worsen damage to the stomach lining. It is a food containing fiber and solid elements. For example cereals, buns, bran, stretched meat. All foods should be as gentle as possible and easily digestible.
Refusal of foods and drinks that cause an increase in the acidity of hydrochloric acid. For example citrus fruits, canned food, coffee, alcohol, soda.
Eat food at a warm temperature. Do not consume boiling water, hot liquids or food. Cold foods are also unacceptable. The optimal limits are 25-35 degrees.

If the patient's gastritis is severely aggravated and causes unbearable pain, it is necessary to immediately start a strict diet. This will help significantly reduce the inflammatory process and allow the tissues to recover. Already on the 3rd day a person will feel relieved. But this is possible only with the help of additional use of drugs prescribed by a doctor.

When prescribing a strict diet, the following foods and dishes are recommended:

lean chicken or vegetable broth with crackers, which can be replaced with soft porridge (for example, oatmeal);
pasta soup with milk (hard pasta is allowed);
new potatoes boiled without cream, salt;
milk with reduced fat content, so as not to cause an increased load on the gastrointestinal tract due to the appearance of a high concentration of lactose.

In case of severe exacerbation and acute pain, each product is added gradually, in small portions. This will allow the digestive tract to get used to it and will not cause negative reactions. But if the food causes nausea or increased pain, it is better to replace it with other types of food.

As soon as the acute period has passed, the diet is continued.It expands with the following types of products and dishes:

hard-boiled and baked eggs contain a high concentration of proteins (the yolk can be eliminated to limit the amount of fat);
lean meat of chicken, rabbit, beef, which can be baked, boiled, steamed (remove the skin before cooking);
fish and seafood, which contain a large amount of omega-3, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract and nervous system;
milk that must first be boiled;
soups with added cereals (all cereals except semolina are allowed);
vegetables sold in the store according to the season;
fruit, which is recommended to be consumed away from main meals, so as not to cause stress to the gastrointestinal tract, but not to leave the stomach empty;
quality cured meats;
olive, sunflower seed oil;
dumplings and similar products prepared at home from natural minced meat and a thin layer of dough;
offal, of which the liver has the most positive effect, as it contains a large amount of microelements and vitamins;
soft cheeses;
honey, light tea, herbal decoctions, dried fruit compote.

The following types of products must be restricted:

baked goods, muffins, fresh pastries;
sweets, chocolate;
dairy products.

All these foods increase stomach acidity. Carbohydrates negatively affect any part of the digestive tract, causing strong acidity, which constitutes a favorable environment for the proliferation of Helicobacter pylori. In addition, they refuse to chew gum, since hydrochloric acid is actively produced during its use. If there is too much of it, acid gastritis will intensify. This can lead to the formation of erosions and ulcers.

Low acid gastritis diet

With this type of inflammatory process of the stomach, the concentration and acidity of hydrochloric acid are reduced. Therefore, food is poorly digested, large pieces of food enter the intestine, which places a heavy load on it. This negatively affects the entire state of the digestive tract. Typically, people aged 40 years and older suffer from such gastritis.

If the pathology is not treated timely and a diet is not used, the following complications occur:

atrophic condition of the gastric mucosa;
thinning of tissues;
decrease in the functionality of parietal cells.

Low acid gastritis is one of the most dangerous and difficult to treat diseases. Therefore, it is important to start treatment at an early stage, before a precancerous condition develops.

To correct the pathology, it is necessary to consume foods that will stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. It is also necessary to increase its acidity so that the food bolus is processed.

Attention! It is necessary to simultaneously increase the acidity and not put strain on the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is forbidden to use fatty, spicy, fried, smoked foods, fast food and alcohol, regardless of whether they increase acidity.

In case of illness, gastroenterologists recommend adhering to some nutritional principles:

before eating drink 200 ml of slightly carbonated mineral water;
chew food well, gradually consuming each piece; the entire meal takes at least 30 minutes;
Between meals it is recommended to eat fruits that increase acidity, you can pre-cook them so as not to cause stress.

With the development of hypoacid gastritis, it is necessary to consume the following types of foods or dishes:

lean types of meat: chicken, turkey, rabbit, young veal;
any type of fruit and vegetable that does not have a coarse fibrous structure (citrus fruits, white cabbage and cauliflower are recommended);
vegetable and meat broths;
a small concentration of carbohydrates in the form of sweets and baked goods;
any type of fermented milk products;
canned foods;
herbal decoctions, tea, berry compote and fruit.

Since milk in any form reduces the acidity of gastric juice, it is prohibited to consume it when preparing a diet.

Gastritis is one of the most common digestive problems among the population. The disease can affect patients of any age. It can be prevented if you use prevention rules. But if the pathology has already developed, it is important to undergo a timely diagnosis and start treatment to avoid the development of complications. Therapy is based on a correct, high-quality diet, improving lifestyle and eliminating bad habits. The diet is selected individually for each patient, depending on the degree of damage and the acidity of gastric juice.