Gastritis Diet - What to Eat and What to Avoid

Introduction

Diet plays an important role in a person's digestive health and overall health. If a person has gastritis, they must avoid food that worsens the symptoms, like fried and spicy foods. Eating foods that are low in fat and rich in fiber will help a person digest food better and manage their gastritis symptoms. For most people, gastritis is minor and will resolve immediately with treatment. However, for others, gastritis increases the risk of gastric ulcers and cancer. Following a gastritis diet will relieve most of a person's symptoms and will help a person feel better.

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is a condition where inflammation occurs in the stomach lining. The stomach lining has an important role in maintaining digestive health. It generates acid and enzymes in the stomach, which is necessary to break down food for the body to extract the required nutrients. This lining also secretes mucus which protects them from acid damage. However, sometimes, this lining undergoes inflammation and decreases its acid, mucus, and enzyme production. This inflammation is called gastritis. Gastritis can be either acute or chronic. Acute gastritis causes severe sudden inflammation of the lining. Chronic gastritis causes long-term inflammation, which can prolong for many years. When chronic gastritis is left untreated, it can lead to abdominal bleeding and even increase the chances of stomach cancer.

What Causes Gastritis?

Gastritis can be caused due to several reasons, some of which include:

• Bacterial Infection - Helicobacter pylori is the bacteria that commonly cause gastritis. It causes chronic gastritis in children that continues to cause problems till adulthood.

• Damage to the Stomach Lining - Some of the factors causing damage to the stomach lining leading to gastritis are having viral or bacterial infections, drinking alcohol, drug abuse, swallowing corrosive substances, intake of medications like Aspirin or pain relievers that include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, radioactive treatments to the upper abdominal area or the lower and undergoing surgery to remove certain portions of the stomach.

• Food Allergies - They can cause a rare gastrointestinal inflammation called eosinophilic gastroenteritis (an inflammatory disorder caused by the eosinophilic infiltration to the walls of the intestine).

• Autoimmune Diseases - Theyalso cause gastritis. This happens because, in autoimmune conditions, the immune system starts attacking the body's healthy tissues of the stomach lining.

• Major Illness or Injury - Can cause acute gastritis. Any injury to the body does not necessarily mean a stomach injury or any other illness that can affect the blood circulation of the stomach, which increases stomach acid production, causing gastritis.

What Are the Symptoms Seen in Gastritis?

Symptoms seen in gastritis include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, loss of appetite, hiccups, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and feeling full in the upper abdomen. In erosive gastritis, symptoms include vomiting blood or a black tarry substance or the presence of black tarry stool. Erosive gastritis is the presence of inflamed lesions formed in the stomach's mucous lining.

What Can a Person Eat While on a Gastritis Diet?

The main aim of a gastritis diet is to control and ease the symptoms of gastritis and control any bacterial infection, like H. Pylori. Eating smaller meals will help ease some of the symptoms of gastritis. Certain foods will ease the symptoms of gastritis. They are:

• Low-fat foods like fish, vegetables, and lean meats.

• Food rich in probiotics will promote healthy bacteria growth and improve gut health. It will also reduce inflammation of the stomach and eradicate H. Pylori infection. Healthy probiotic foods include kombucha, yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

• High-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.

• Low-acidity foods like beans and vegetables.

• Noncarbonated drinks and caffeine-free drinks.

• Flavonoid-rich foods like herbs, spices, and condiments. Foods rich in flavonoids has antibacterial properties which will manage H.Pylori infection.

• Other food items include green tea with manuka honey, apples, and cranberries.

H. pylori bacteria causes infection of the digestive system leading to gastritis or the formation of stomach ulcers. Ninety percent of gastritis is caused by H. pylori infection. However, certain types of gastritis will make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients like iron or vitamin B12, which leads to deficiencies. In such cases, the doctor will recommend supplements to prevent the deficiencies.

What Foods Have to Be Avoided While On a Gastritis Diet?

Fatty foods worsen inflammations of the stomach lining. In some people, gastritis can be triggered by food allergies. In those cases, it is important to identify and try avoiding the food to manage and prevent the condition. Foods that irritate the stomach lining to make gastritis include acidic foods like fruits and tomatoes, alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, fatty and fried foods, fruit juices, pickled foods, spicy foods, and tea. If a person notices any specific food triggering their symptoms, it is better to avoid those foods. This is more applicable in the case of food allergies.

What Is a Gastritis Diet for a Patient With a Gastric Ulcer?

If gastritis is left untreated, it can cause stomach ulcers, called peptic ulcers. Just like gastritis, there are certain foods that a person has to avoid eating in case of ulcers. In the case of a gastric ulcer, consuming foods rich in nutrients is essential. A balanced and healthy diet will make the ulcer heal faster. Certain foods are recommended for people with gastric ulcers. They include:

• Natural juices.

• Milk, low-fat cheese, and yogurt.

• Fruits like melons, apples, and bananas.

• Vegetables include carrots, zucchini, spinach, and leafy greens.

• Lean meat.

• Lentils, soybeans, and chickpeas.

• Olive oils and vegetable oil.

Certain foods a person must avoid with a stomach ulcer include:

• Chocolate.

• Fried foods.

• Spicy peppers.

• Caffeinated drinks.

• Mustard grains.

Will a Gastritis Diet Alone Cure Gastritis Symptoms?

Following a healthy diet will help relieve gastritis symptoms. However, diet alone is not enough to manage chronic gastritis. It is always essential to consult with the doctor to understand the underlying causative factor and to manage gastritis efficiently.

How Is Gastritis Managed?

• The doctor will prescribe antibiotics if the patient has gastritis caused by H. Pylori infection. Probiotic supplements also help manage symptoms caused by bacterial infection.

• Over-the-counter medications like antacids can ease stomach discomfort. However, antacids cannot treat any underlying conditions or disorders.

• Avoiding things that might trigger a person's gastritis, such as certain pain medications or alcohol consumption.

• Other lifestyle modifications include managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating small meals rather than large meals,

Conclusion

A gastritis diet includes consuming foods like low-fat, high-fiber, and flavonoid-rich foods. Certain other kinds of foods have to be avoided. They include carbonated drinks, alcohol, and coffee. However, diet alone cannot cure gastritis. It might also require medical intervention. The majority of the time, gastritis improves immediately after starting treatment. However, if gastritis lasts more than a week or becomes severe, it is always better to talk with the doctor. It is also recommended to consult the doctor before concentrating on any new medication or diet changes.