Key takeaways
- A gastroparesis diet usually involves eating easily digestible foods, such as lean protein, refined carbohydrates, and soft, cooked produce. Some foods to try include poultry, smooth peanut butter, and bananas.
- Doctors recommend avoiding hard-to-digest foods, like those high in fiber and fat. This can include nuts, seeds, full fat dairy, and high fiber produce.
- Eating smaller meals 4 to 6 times a day may help you manage your symptoms.
Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach empties into your small intestine more slowly than it should.
Triggers may include an illness or a chronic condition, such as diabetes or lupus. Medications, such as GLP-1 medications, may also be a risk factor.
Symptoms may be mild or severe and usually include:
- vomiting
- bloating
- nausea
- heartburn
- early satiety/feeling full quickly
- stomach pain
Treatment for gastroparesis will depend on the severity of your symptoms but may include a combination of dietary changes, medications, and, in severe cases, surgery.
Dietary changes are most often the first method of treatment.
The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders recommends the following tips to help you manage gastroparesis:
- Avoid high fiber foods: Foods high in fiber, such whole grains, beans, raw vegetables, fruit, may delay gastric emptying.
- Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller, more frequent meals 4 to 6 times per day can help your stomach digest foods more effectively, as food can pass through quicker, preventing bloating and distention.
- Avoid high fat foods: Foods high in fat typically take more time to digest, which can delay gastric emptying.
A doctor may also
Other tips to help ease gastroparesis symptoms include:
- avoiding foods that are hard to chew
- chewing your food well before swallowing it
- eating nutritious foods first to avoid becoming full from foods that don’t fuel your body
- drinking plenty of water throughout the day
- walking after eating to promote digestion
- avoiding carbonated beverages which can worsen bloating, distention and pain
It’s best to
If you have gastroparesis, focus on getting the nutrition you need while eating smaller, but more frequent meals that are low in fat and easy to digest.
The most important foods in this kind of diet include high protein foods and easy-to-digest vegetables.
Foods that may help keep your gastroparesis in check include:
Protein
- eggs
- poultry
- smooth or creamy peanut butter (stick to a small portion as it’s high in fat)
- lean ground meat
- white fish
- canned salmon or tuna
- low fat yogurt
- cottage cheese
- tofu
Carbohydrates
- white breads
- low fiber or refined cereals
- low fat crackers
- pasta
Fruits and vegetables (canned, peeled, cooked, or pureed)
Beverages
As a general rule, if you have gastroparesis symptoms, it’s
Here’s a list of foods that might worsen gastroparesis:
- high fat meats
- nuts and seeds
- whole grains
- high fiber fruits, such as apples, coconuts, berries, and figs
- high fiber vegetables, such as broccoli, beets, celery, and Brussels sprouts
- beans and legumes
- carbonated beverages
- alcohol
- high fat dairy, such as butter, cheese, and heavy cream
Your food options might feel limited when you have gastroparesis, but you can still enjoy some delicious recipes.
Here’s a 1-day meal plan to try if you have gastroparesis:
Breakfast
- 2 eggs, scrambled
- 1 slice of white toast
- 1/2 cup apple juice
Lunch
- 3.5-ounce salmon, baked
- 1/2 cup pasta
- 1/2 cup zucchini or summer squash
Dinner
- 3.5-ounce chicken breast, baked
- 1/2 cup potatoes, mashed
- 1 cup carrots, baked
Snacks
Eating one of the following snacks between each meal could help keep you full and promote gastric emptying:
- white crackers and 2 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup low fat Greek yogurt with a few mixed berries
- protein shake with blended fruit
- 1/2 cup low fiber soup
- oral supplement/meal replacement shake
If you’re unsure about what foods are best for you, speak with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian. They could help develop a dietary plan for you.
Gastroparesis is a condition that’s usually chronic, but it can be temporary in some cases.
No matter what the cause or duration of your gastroparesis, eating small meals and limiting your fiber and fat intake can help digestion.
Different people with different diagnoses can tolerate certain food items better than others. Always speak with a doctor or dietitian about your individual nutritional needs while treating gastroparesis.