Diet for Gastritis

Gastritis is a condition that occurs when the inner lining of the stomach gets inflamed. This condition can occur in people of any age group. Earlier it was believed that only adults suffer from this condition, however, it is found that even children can suffer from gastritis. The most significant cause of gastritis is an infection caused due to bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori or H.pylori. This bacteria can enter the stomach through the medium of contaminated food and water. Similarly, having spicy foods for a long time, smoking, use of steroids, etc., can also lead to this condition, therefore, proper diet for gastritis must be religiously followed.

Gastritis can be of two types: acute gastritis and chronic gastritis. Acute gastritis is a condition that occurs suddenly and is severe; whereas chronic gastritis lasts for a longer period of time and is not serious. Abdominal pain, belching, nausea, vomiting, bloating, etc. are the symptoms of gastritis. Although there are medications available to treat gastritis and inflammation of the stomach effectively, it is essential to follow a proper diet while and after suffering from this condition. What is the appropriate diet for gastritis patients? Let us take a look at it in detail.

Gastritis Diet

The diet for ulcers and gastritis is more or less similar. In fact you should have foods that do not irritate the stomach lining when suffering from the disorders of the stomach. Acidic and fried foods top the list in foods that need to be avoided diet for gastritis sufferers. The following is detail information on gastritis: foods to avoid and foods to eat.

Foods to Eat

As mentioned above, foods containing acid is not allowed in the gastritis diet. There are several natural foods that can be safely eaten when suffering from this condition. One should note that these foods should be eaten without frying, or without marinating; but simply in their natural forms if possible.

• Leafy vegetables
• Fresh fruits
• Wheat bran
• Whole grain products
• Unpolished rice
• Pasta/macaroni
• Noodles
• Eggs
• Fish/lean meat
• Tofu
• Herbal tea
• Coconut water
• Carrot/fruit juice

Foods to Avoid

Unfortunatel,y the list of foods to avoid in the gastritis diet is a longer one. However, following this diet quickly is going to help you get rid of this disease and recover earlier. Therefore, you need to avoid the following foods:

• Fatty and greasy foods
• Tomatoes, tomato juice, and other tomato based products
• Cabbage, broccoli, beans, fried meat and fried eggs
• Peppermint, chocolates, ice cream, cream, chips
• Milk, butter, cream, cheese and other dairy products
• Cranberry juice and other citrus juice
• Alcohol, coffee and other caffeine containing foods
• Milk shakes, oils, vegetable oils

In the liquid diet for gastritis, you need to include only plain drinking water, herbal tea, coconut water, etc. and completely avoid coffee, sodas and other soft drinks. Apart from this gastritis diet menu, you also need to follow certain dietary habits that will help get rid of the symptoms of this disease immediately. Firstly, you should have smaller meals rather than going for the large ones as having excess foods can lead to indigestion. Secondly, you should eat food slowly for proper digestion. Lastly, you should completely stay away from hot, spicy and fried foods (specially at night). These foods tend to irritate the stomach and cause indigestion and gastritis. One should also note that it is essential to continue with these proper diet and food habits even after you recover from the disease to prevent its recurrence.

This was brief information on the best diet for gastritis. It is essential to consult the doctor before making any dietary plans or changes when suffering from gastritis. Lastly, as a concluding note, one should remember that following the gastritis diet strictly for the prescribed period of time helps in quick relief. Take care!