Gastritis is the name for inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa, which inevitably lead to digestive problems. A person begins to digest food poorly, due to which his health deteriorates and weakness and lethargy appear. According to statistics, approximately half of all residents of our country experience painful symptoms of gastritis to one degree or another.
Diet for gastritis
Many people ask: what diet should be followed for gastritis? This is a very important question, because proper nutrition is the main part of the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. If you have gastritis, you should always follow a bland diet, and if your health improves, you can only return to normal eating habits gradually. In some cases, doctors prescribe a personal diet for gastritis.
It is also necessary to remember that enzyme deficiency develops in gastritis, 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 different people, these forms can be accompanied by both high and low levels of stomach acid. Acute gastritis is of the following types:
- fibrinous (worsened by the appearance of infectious diseases);
- catarrhal (accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the outer lining of the stomach);
- phlegmonous (cause purulent inflammatory processes on the walls of the stomach);
- corrosive (one of the side effects of poisoning).
Chronic disease occurs 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 the systematic intake of large amounts of alcohol.
Key principles of nutrition for gastritis
Remember that proper nutrition for gastritis is the key to successfully overcoming symptoms. If the acidity of your gastric juice is increased, then you need to eat foods that help reduce its activity. Follow three rules:
- Mechanical principle. Avoid foods that contain coarse fibers. Such products include onion crops, meat with veins and bran. In addition, dishes cooked in oil are strictly prohibited.
- Chemical principle. Avoid foods that can increase gastric secretion. This list includes alcohol, carbonated water, citrus fruits (including their juices), coffee, black bread, cabbage and rich meat broth.
- Thermal principle. Do not eat food that is 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 meats (such as rabbit) in your diet. Duck, lamb and goose are not allowed, but chicken can only be eaten without the skin.
Other acceptable foods and meals include:
- River fish;
- sea food;
- egg white omelette;
- oatmeal and buckwheat porridge;
- milk;
- zucchini, pumpkin, tomato, carrot, various greens;
- berries with a high sugar content;
- boiled and pureed fruit.
What should be missing from the diet?
If you have been diagnosed with gastritis caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, then it is not recommended to prescribe a diet for yourself. 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 bread, especially rye bread, as well as puff pastry. Instead, it is better to eat white bread, plain cookies and pies.
- Soups with rich broth, including mushroom soup, cabbage soup and borscht. Such meals 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 cooked or steamed meat dishes (cutlets, meatballs). Allowed types of meat are chicken and lamb.
- Hard-boiled eggs and fried omelettes. They should be replaced with soft-boiled eggs and steamed omelets.
- All salty and spicy dishes, marinades, chocolate, carbonated drinks, coffee and kvass.
- Alcohol.
Diet for high acidity
With this form of gastritis, you should not overdo the use of fruits and vegetables, because they can worsen your health. However, you should not completely remove these products from the menu. Avoid foods that can stimulate the production of stomach acid and opt for foods that reduce acid. If you eat right, you're more likely to lose weight than gain it. Below is a table showing the permitted and prohibited products:
| Vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, beets. Light vegetable salads. Tomatoes: ripe, sliced. Cucumbers without skin. | Greenery. |
| Fruit: non-acidic, ripe, without skin (banana, pear, apple). Fruit is best eaten not raw, but baked. Watermelons and melons - in very limited quantities. | Fried potatoes, pickled food, sauerkraut. |
| Milk (cow or goat), cream, yogurt. Fresh cottage cheese. | Sour cream, kefir, hard cheese. |
| Soup with dietary broth. | Cabbage soup and borscht in a rich broth. |
| So what | Legumes |
| Boiled chicken or rabbit meat, lean river fish. | Smoked meat, fish and meat with a high fat content, canned food. |
| Oatmeal and buckwheat | Dried fruit |
| Soft boiled eggs. | Chocolate |
| Crackers, white bread (which stays for a few days), dry biscuits. | Hard-boiled eggs, fried omelette. |
| Weak tea and coffee, cocoa with added milk. | Rye and freshly baked bread. Cakes, pastry products with cream filling. |
Low acidity diet
In such conditions, you have to eat differently than in the previous case. You must eat foods that stimulate gastric secretion. The table below shows foods that are suitable for remission. If you have severe stomach pain, then you must 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). Greens will also help you add vitamins to your diet: try to spice up as many of the dishes you eat with finely chopped greens.
You must eat small meals, but avoid snacks; in this way, the stomach will not have difficulty digesting food. Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly. Hastily eaten food can worsen your health and worsen gastritis. Chew your food until it turns into an easily digestible paste.
Do not forget that a proper and balanced diet is the key to treating gastritis. Many patients who followed a strict diet during treatment say that it helped them successfully overcome all symptoms and pains associated with this disease within 4 weeks.
Important: read the instructions or consult your doctor before use.
What to eat for stomach gastritis?
Characteristics of gastritis
Gastritis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the stomach lining that leads to pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms. Of all 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 believe that the disease will not cause any harm and will gradually go away on its own without treatment. But if the treatment methods and diet are not applied in time, 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 Helicobacter pylori is the basis for the development of inflammatory pathologies of the stomach. This 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 multiply actively, causing pathology. Over time, Helicobacter pylori can lead to the development of atypical mucosal cells, which will cause malignant degeneration.
- Eating poor quality food. It includes fatty, fried, spicy, smoked and overly 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.
- Kurenie. Nicotine and smog during smoking spread into the respiratory tract and digestive system. It has a negative effect on the mucous membrane, causing irritation and increased inflammation.
- Consuming large amounts of alcohol. It has a toxic effect on any tissue in the body, including the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to the appearance or intensification of inflammation.
- Stress. Great physical and psycho-emotional stress. These factors cause the active production of cortisol. This leads to an increased release of hydrochloric acid. If it acts on the walls of the stomach in the absence of a bolus of food, damage occurs.
If the patient is under the influence of several factors at the same time, the disease develops faster.
Clinical signs
In the early stages, the patient and the doctor may not notice visual signs. The more damage there is, the more actively the inflammatory process develops.
- 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.
- frequent occurrence of epigastric pain;
- point pain in the middle of the abdomen;
- heartburn;
- frequent belching;
- constipation, diarrhea;
- occasional nausea;
- vomiting for no reason;
- the presence of any gastroenterological diseases in close relatives;
- the presence of bad habits (smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, overeating);
- periodic use of a strict diet.
It is impossible to determine the diagnosis independently, because symptoms can be present in temporary disorders or other acute, chronic diseases. It is important to undergo an examination and diagnosis by a doctor who will prescribe conservative or radical treatment, depending on the developing lesion.
Diet
- gastroenterologist;
- nutritionist.
It is better if these doctors work together to provide quality treatment.
- degree of mucosal damage;
- degree of spread of the lesion to different parts of the gastrointestinal tract;
- reasons for defeat.
After collecting complete information, a diet regimen is drawn up. This is one of the basic methods of treatment that reduces the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
- with high acid;
- with low acid.
Regardless of the chosen type of diet, the gastroenterologist should remind you of the basic principles of proper nutrition during illness.
- Separation. The total amount of the product that the patient should consume in one day is determined. It is divided into 6 parts, evenly distributed meals throughout the day. That is, the patient must eat food every 3 hours. You should not overeat or starve, because these factors negatively affect the condition of the stomach. One portion of food is about the volume of two palms.
- Chewing. The consumed food begins to be digested in the oral cavity under the influence of saliva containing 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 can start without obstacles.
- Temperature. If there is a suspicion of an inflammatory process, eat warm food. It shouldn't be too hot or too cold.
- Water mode. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day to maintain a stable water and electrolyte balance and prevent the development of dehydration. Drink water little by little throughout the day.
- Mandatory intake of protein. Proteins are the basis from which the body is built. Thanks to them, damaged tissues recover faster after gastritis.
- Prohibition of eating excessively coarse food. It must not contain pieces that could injure the affected mucosal structure.
- Proper cooking. It is boiled, steamed, baked. It is forbidden to fry or smoke.
- Prohibition of alcohol consumption, caffeine, energy drinks, carbonated drinks.
- Maintaining the concentration of vitamins. If they are normal, the metabolism and metabolism improves, the nervous system and the digestive tract are strengthened. If there are not enough nutrients, multivitamin preparations are used.
Applying these rules reduces the burden on the stomach during treatment.
Fruit with high acidity
Gastritis, accompanied by normal or high acidity, requires a special diet. It is necessary to monitor the temperature of food: it is not recommended to eat food with a temperature above 40-50 ⁰C. The fruit can be consumed pureed, steamed, boiled, baked or stewed, or in puree, foam, jelly, jelly or compote. The consumption of fruits with a high content of organic acids (pomegranates, citrus fruits, fresh apricots), unripe or acidic fruits is not recommended. During an exacerbation, all fruits should be used only in pureed form. The rest of the time it is better to use:
- sweet varieties of apples;
- avocado.
Low acidity fruit
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 - stimulate the production of gastric juice, but can only be eaten by patients who are not allergic to fruit.
Attention! For any gastrointestinal pathology, it is important not to overload the stomach and adhere to the diet prescribed by the doctor.
Diet for gastritis with high acidity
- excessive production of hydrochloric acid;
- increasing the acidity of hydrochloric acid.
Normally, hydrochloric acid is meant to break down the contents of the stomach. But it must be within certain limits so as not to damage their own tissues.
- inflammation;
- erosion;
- ulcer;
- perforation.
Gastritis can develop at different ages. Prolonged exposure to a harmful factor is sufficient for the development of the inflammatory process. If the acidity of the gastric juice increases, you must 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 medicines independently. They have contraindications and side effects.
When using a diet, it is important to follow certain rules in order to be successful.
- Avoiding foods that cause or worsen damage to the stomach walls. This is a food that contains fiber and solid elements. For example, cereals, buns, bran, thick meat. All food should be as tender and easily digestible as possible.
- Rejection of any food and drink that cause an increase in the acidity of hydrochloric acid. For example, citrus fruits, canned food, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks.
- Eat food at a warm temperature. Do not consume boiling water, hot liquids or food. Cold food is also unacceptable. The optimal limits are 25-35 degrees.
If the patient's gastritis has worsened and causes unbearable pain, a strict diet should be started immediately. This will significantly reduce the inflammatory process and allow the tissues to recover. Already on the third day, a person will feel relief. But this is possible only with the help of additional use of drugs prescribed by the doctor.
- low-fat chicken or vegetable soup with crackers, which can be replaced with soft porridge (for example, oatmeal);
- pasta soup with milk (hard pasta is allowed);
- boiled new potatoes without cream, salt;
- milk with a 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.
If there is a strong 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 another type of food.
As soon as the acute period passes, the diet continues.
- boiled, baked eggs contain a high concentration of protein (the yolk can be removed 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 needs to be boiled first;
- soups with added grains (all grains except semolina are allowed);
- vegetables sold in the store according to the season;
- fruits, which are recommended to be consumed between main meals, in order not to cause stress on the gastrointestinal tract, but also not to leave the stomach empty;
- quality sausages;
- olive, sunflower 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, weak tea, herbal decoctions, dried fruit compote.
- bakery products, muffins, fresh pastries;
- candies, chocolate;
- milk products.
All these foods increase the acidity of the stomach. Carbohydrates negatively affect any part of the digestive tract, causing strong acidity, which is a favorable environment for the proliferation of Helicobacter pylori. In addition, they refuse to chew gum, because hydrochloric acid is actively produced during its use. If there is too much of it, acid gastritis will increase. This can lead to the formation of erosions and ulcers.
Diet for gastritis with low acidity
In this type of inflammatory process of the stomach, the concentration and acidity of hydrochloric acid decreases. Therefore, food is poorly digested, large pieces of food enter the intestines, which leads to a large load on it. This negatively affects the overall condition of the digestive tract. Usually people older than 40 years suffer from such gastritis.
- atrophic state of the gastric mucosa;
- tissue thinning;
- reduced function of parietal cells.
Gastritis with low acid 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, you must consume food that will stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. You also need to increase its acidity in order for the food bolus to be processed.
Attention! It is necessary to simultaneously increase acidity and not burden the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the use of fatty, spicy, fried, smoked food, fast food and alcohol is prohibited, regardless of the fact that they increase acidity.
- before eating, drink 200 ml of slightly carbonated mineral water;
- chew food thoroughly, gradually consuming each piece; the whole meal takes at least 30 minutes;
- Between meals, it is recommended to eat fruits that increase acidity, you can bake them beforehand so that they do not cause stress.
- lean meat - chicken, turkey, rabbit, young veal;
- all types of fruits and vegetables that do not have a coarse fiber structure (citrus fruits, white cabbage and cauliflower are recommended);
- vegetable and meat soups;
- low concentration of carbohydrates in the form of sweets and pastries;
- all types of fermented milk products;
- Canned food;
- herbal decoctions, teas, berry and fruit compote.
Since milk in any form reduces the acidity of gastric juice, it is forbidden 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. This can be prevented if you follow the rules of prevention. But if the pathology has already developed, it is important to undergo a timely diagnosis and start treatment in order to prevent complications. Therapy is based on proper and high-quality nutrition, improving lifestyle and avoiding bad habits. The diet is selected individually for each patient, depending on the degree of damage and the acidity of the gastric juice.