Gastritis: Foods to Avoid

Irritation or inflammation of the lining of the stomach is a medical condition called as gastritis. Foods to avoid for gastritis must be the foods that are spicy and hard to digest. Read on to know more about gastritis: foods to avoid.
Gastritis: Foods to Avoid
There are many possible causes that can be responsible for irritation of the stomach lining. The most significant cause of gastritis can be prolonged and excessive consumption of non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs or drugs that contain ibuprofen and aspirin. Excessive alcohol consumption, stress and bacterial infection may also cause gastritis. The symptoms of gastritis can be various, ranging from abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite, stomach cramps after eating, vomiting etc.

Gastritis is diagnosed by several medical examinations and after checking the personal and family history of the patient. Blood tests, upper endoscopy, stool tests etc. are performed for the same. After proper medical intervention, the health care provider or dietitian may suggest a healthy diet plan that can alleviate the further trouble caused by gastritis. More on gastritis: causes, symptoms and treatment.

Foods to Avoid for Gastritis
The key to stay away from further complications like stomach cancer, that can arise due to gastritis, is the knowledge of the food to avoid for gastritis. One must strictly stay away from spicy food items and foods that are bad for digestive health. Consuming high fiber diet is always necessary for healthy intestinal functioning. Specially designed gastritis diet plan will always prove more than helpful for people suffering from gastritis. Along with the personalized diet plan one must consider the following instructions while planning for the foods to avoid for gastritis.
  • Deep fried foods, fast foods, fatty foods, pickles, peppers, spicy and salty foods are the foods to avoid for gastritis.
  • Avoid vinegar and things made by using vinegar, caffeine, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, citric acid drinks and mustard.
  • Follow your health care provider's advice while taking ibuprofen and aspirin.
  • Foods rich in flavonoids such as apples, cranberries, garlic, onions and celery must be avoided as they help in the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which are gastritis causing bacteria.
  • Avoid high fat and high cholesterol foods as they are pretty hard on the digestive system and can certainly increase gastritis.
  • Some foods like cabbage, cooked dried beans, milk, broccoli can affect negatively since they increase the acid secretion in the body. Foods that show such effects must be avoided for gastritis. One must check for a particular pattern of foods that need to be avoided for gastritis.
Gastritis: Foods to Avoid for Gastritis
Here is a simple chart that can give you an exact idea about what are the foods to avoid for gastritis.

Food Group Foods to Avoid
Vegetables
Fruits
Meat
  • Ground beef
  • Beef chuck
  • Chicken nuggets
  • Buffalo wings
Fish
Grains
  • Starchy grains
  • Wheat
  • Rice
Fats and oils
  • Creamy salad dressing
  • Palm oil
Dairy products
  • Milk shakes
  • Sour creams
  • Cheese
  • Cottage cheese
  • Ice creams
Sweets and others
  • Butter cookies
  • Chocolate
  • Potato chips
  • Corn chips
  • Doughnuts
  • Brownies
Beverages
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Liquor
  • Carbonated sweet drinks


Gastritis: Foods to Have
Looking at the big list of foods to avoid for gastritis, you might obviously wonder about what exactly are the foods to have for gastritis? Here are some points to consider while deciding upon the foods to have for gastritis.
  • In order to retain the fluid count in the body, one must drink at least 6 glasses of water everyday.
  • Eat foods that are high in calcium and vitamin B, like almonds, whole grains, legumes, sea vegetables and dark green vegetables.
  • Rather than eating red meats, try to consume lean meats, fishes of cold water, tofu and beans, they will provide you the protein count that your body needs.
  • Use healthy oils like olive oils and vegetable oils and also avoid high sugar diet and foods like breads and pastas. You can consume apple cider vinegar instead of regular vinegar.
  • Have spinach juice, carrot juice and also yogurt for soothing the stomach inflammation.
Try to avoid things, exercise and activities that might increase your stress, as it is one of the reasons for gastritis. However, you must exercise for 30 minutes for at least 5 days a week. Have a balanced diet that is also a low fat diet; distributed into 5 to 6 small and frequent meals instead of three large and heavy meals. Make sure to continue the medication prescribed by the health care provider as they are very essential for the recovery from gastritis. Take care!

By Rutuja Jathar
Published: 9/25/2009
 
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