Diet for gastritis

25 October 2023

Gastritis is the name given to inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa, which inevitably lead to digestive problems. A person begins to digest food poorly, which leads to a deterioration in health and weakness and lethargy. According to statistics, about half of all residents of our country have painful symptoms of gastritis to one degree or another.

Diet for gastritis

Many people wonder: what diet to follow for gastritis? This is a very important question because good nutrition is a major part of treating gastrointestinal diseases. If you suffer from gastritis, you should always follow a gentle diet, and if your health improves, you can only gradually return to your normal eating habits. In some cases, doctors prescribe a personal diet for gastritis.

It is also worth remembering that with gastritis, an enzyme deficiency develops. Therefore, in some cases, as an addition to a diet aimed at improving digestion, it is appropriate to use enzyme preparations such as Micrazim.

There are two types of gastritis: acute and chronic. In different people, these forms can be accompanied by high or low levels of stomach acid. Acute gastritis is of the following types:

fibrinous (worsens with the onset of infectious diseases);
catarrhal (accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the outer wall of the stomach);
phlegmonous (causes purulent inflammatory processes on the gastric walls);
corrosive (one of the side effects of poisoning).

Chronic illnesses, on the other hand, come in the following forms:

superficial;
hypertrophic;
polyposis;
bacterial;
granulomatous;
autoimmune.

Another form of chronic gastritis is typical for people whose stomach walls are damaged due to systematic consumption of alcohol in large quantities.

Key principles of diet for gastritis diseases

Remember that a good diet in case of gastritis is the key to successfully overcoming the symptoms. If the acidity of your gastric juice increases, then you need to eat foods that help reduce its activity. Follow three rules:

Mechanical principle. Avoid foods that contain crude fiber. These products include onions, veined meat and bran. In addition, dishes cooked in oil are strictly prohibited.
Chemical principle. Avoid foods that can increase gastric secretion. This list includes alcohol, sparkling water, citrus fruits (including their juices), coffee, black bread, cabbage and rich meat broth.
Thermal principle. Do not eat foods that are at very high or very low temperatures. They irritate the esophagus and cold foods, among other things, persist longer than usual in the stomach.

What foods can you eat if you have gastritis?

Include lean meat (like rabbit) in your diet. Duck, lamb and goose are not allowed, but chicken can only be eaten without the skin.

Other acceptable foods and dishes include:

River fish;
seafood;
egg white omelet;
oatmeal and buckwheat porridge;
milk;
zucchini, pumpkins, tomatoes, carrots, various green vegetables;
berries with a high sugar content;
boiled and pureed fruits.

What should be missing in the diet?

If you have been diagnosed with gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, it is not advisable to prescribe a diet. 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 baked goods, including rye bread, as well as puff pastries. Instead, it is better to eat white bread, plain biscuits and pies.
Soups with rich broth, including mushroom soup, cabbage soup and borscht. These dishes should be replaced with light vegetable soups with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and onions.
Smoked dishes, as well as fatty and veiny meats. It is better to eat dishes from boiled or steamed meat (cutlets, meatballs). The permitted types of meat are chicken and lamb.
Hard-boiled eggs and fried omelettes. They should be replaced with boiled eggs and steamed omelettes.
All salty and seasoned dishes, marinades, chocolate, soft drinks, coffee and kvass.
Alcohol.

Diet for high acidity

With this form of gastritis, you should not overuse fruits and vegetables, as they can worsen your health. However, you should not completely remove these products from the menu. Avoid foods that can stimulate stomach acid production and opt for acid-reducing foods. By eating well, you are more likely to lose weight than to gain it. Below is a table showing permitted and prohibited products:

Vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, beets. Light vegetable salads. Tomatoes: ripe, chopped. Cucumbers without skin.	Greenery.
Fruits: non-acidic, ripe, without skin (banana, pear, apple). It is better to eat fruits not raw, but baked. Watermelons and melons - in very limited quantities.	Fried potatoes, marinated foods, sauerkraut.
Milk (cow or goat), cream, yogurt. Fresh cottage cheese.	Sour cream, kefir, hard cheese.
Soup with diet broth.	Cabbage soup and borscht in a rich broth.
Pasta	Legumes
Boiled chicken or rabbit meat, lean river fish.	Smoked meats, fish and meats with a high fat content, canned foods.
Oatmeal and buckwheat	Dried fruits
Boiled eggs.	Chocolate
Crackers, white bread (which has sat for a few days), dry biscuits.	Hard boiled eggs, fried omelette.
Weak tea and coffee, cocoa with milk.	Rye and freshly baked bread. Cakes, confectionery products filled with cream.

Low acidity diet

In such conditions, one must eat differently than in the previous case. You should eat foods that promote gastric secretion. The table below presents dishes suitable for remission. If you experience severe stomach pain, you should exclude from the menu dishes that irritate the stomach tissues.

Vegetables: baked potatoes, tomatoes, greens, carrots, beets, pumpkin, pickles.

Diet for gastritis - general recommendations

Patients suffering from gastritis should exclude from the menu spices used in the cooking process. You can improve the taste of food with fresh herbs (parsley, dill, celery). Green vegetables will also help add vitamins to your diet: try to season as many dishes as you eat with finely chopped green vegetables.

You should eat small meals, but avoid snacking; this way, the stomach will not have difficulty digesting the food. Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly. Foods eaten in a hurry can worsen your health and make gastritis worse. Chew your food until it turns into an easily digestible paste.

Remember that a proper and balanced diet is the key to treating gastritis. Many patients who followed a strict diet during treatment claim that it helped them successfully overcome all symptoms and pain associated with this disease within 4 weeks.

Important: before use, read the instructions or consult your doctor.

What to eat with stomach gastritis?

Every day the statistics of gastritis and gastric ulcers in children and adults are increasing. This also applies to other inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. Patients experience constant pain that affects their quality of life. It is necessary to contact a gastroenterologist in a timely manner to establish a complete diagnosis and identify the source of the lesion. With adequate and timely treatment, the risk of complications is reduced. It is important not only to take medications, but also to create the right diet under the supervision of your doctor and nutritionist. This is the basis of prevention and therapy.

Characteristics of gastritis

Gastritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the stomach lining, leading to pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms. Of all pathologies of the digestive tract, most 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 disappear on its own, without treatment. But if 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 and statistics have been collected that the basis for the development of inflammatory pathologies of the stomach is Helicobacter pylori. It is a bacteria that attacks the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Most people are only carriers of the bacteria, but under the influence of negative factors it begins to actively multiply, causing pathology. It is Helicobacter pylori that over time can lead to the development of atypical cells of the mucosa, which will cause malignant degeneration.

Doctors have identified the main damaging factors that can cause inflammation of the stomach:

Eating poor quality foods. It includes fatty, fried, spicy, smoked and excessively salty foods. This type of food aggressively affects the walls of the stomach, causing an inflammatory process. Due to damage, Helicobacter pylori begins to actively multiply.
KureniE. Nicotine and smog caused by smoking spread through the respiratory tract and digestive system. It negatively affects the mucous membranes, causes irritation and increased inflammation.
Drinking large amounts of alcohol. This has a toxic effect on all tissues of 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 active production of cortisol. This leads to increased release of hydrochloric acid. If it acts on the walls of the stomach in the absence of a bolus, damage occurs.

If the patient is affected by several factors simultaneously, the disease develops more quickly.

Clinical signs

At first, the patient and doctor may not notice visual signs. The greater the damage, the more actively the inflammatory process develops. So, over time, the following symptoms appear:

pain in the epigastric region, aggravated by stress, diet, hunger;
nausea, vomiting which occurs independently of food intake;
constipation, diarrhea.

Certain signs can be used to determine if a patient has a gastroenterological pathology.If a person has more than 4 symptoms, it is recommended to contact a gastroenterologist:

frequent occurrence of epigastric pain;
pinpoint pain in the middle of the abdomen;
stomach pains;
frequent belching;
constipation, diarrhea;
occasional nausea;
vomiting for no reason;
the presence of gastroenterological diseases in close relatives;
presence of bad habits (smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, overeating);
periodic use of a strict diet.

It is impossible to independently determine the diagnosis, since symptoms may be present in temporary disorders or other acute and 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

The diet is prescribed by 2 doctors:

gastroenterologist;
nutritionist.

It is best for these doctors to work together to provide quality treatment.But first they undergo an examination and diagnostic tests to determine the following factors:

degree of damage to the mucous membrane;
the degree of spread of the lesion to different parts of the gastrointestinal tract;
reasons for the defeat.

After collecting comprehensive information, a nutritional regime is drawn up. It is one of the fundamental treatment methods that reduces the load on the gastrointestinal tract.There are 2 diets for the development of inflammatory pathologies of the stomach:

with high acidity;
with low acidity.

Regardless of the type of diet chosen, the gastroenterologist must remind you of the fundamental principles of a good diet in the event of illness.

Separate. The total volume of products that the patient must consume in 1 day is determined. It is divided into 6 parts, evenly distributing meals throughout the day. That is, the patient must eat food every 3 hours. You should not overeat or starve, as these factors negatively affect the condition of the stomach. A serving of food is approximately the volume of two palms.
Chewing. Consumed food begins to be digested in the oral cavity under the influence of saliva, which contains enzymes. It is therefore important to chew each piece for a long time.
Rest after eating. You need to sit and lie down for 30 minutes for the digestive process to start without obstacles.
Temperature. If you suspect an inflammatory process, eat warm foods. It should not be too hot or too cold.
Water mode. Drink at least 2 liters of water per day to maintain a stable water-electrolyte balance and prevent the development of dehydration. Drink water little by little throughout the day.
Obligatory protein intake. Protein is the foundation from which the body is built. Thanks to them, damaged tissues recover faster after gastritis.
Prohibition of eating foods that are too coarse. It should not contain any pieces that could injure the affected structure of the mucous membrane.
Good cooking. It is boiled, steamed, baked. Frying or smoking is prohibited.
Prohibition of alcohol consumption, caffeine, energy drinks, sodas.
Maintain vitamin concentrations. If they are normal, metabolism and metabolism improve, the nervous system and digestive tract are strengthened. If there are not enough nutrients, multivitamin preparations are used.

Following these rules reduces the load on the stomach during treatment.

Fruits with high acidity

Gastritis, accompanied by normal or high acidity, requires special nutrition. It is necessary to monitor the temperature of food: it is not recommended to eat food with a temperature above 40-50 ⁰C. Fruit can be eaten pureed, steamed, boiled, baked or stewed, or in puree, mousse, jelly, jelly or compote. It is not recommended to consume fruits with a high content of organic acids (pomegranates, citrus fruits, fresh apricots), unripe or sour fruits. During an exacerbation, all fruits should be used only in the form of puree. The rest of the time, it is better to use:

sweet apple varieties;
lawyer.

Low acidity fruits

For the reverse form of gastritis, when acidity is reduced, doctors recommend other fruits:

citrus - prevent the formation of malignant cells, maintain normal acidity;
pomegranate and its juice help restore the gastric mucosa;
peaches - promote the production of gastric juice, but they can only be consumed by patients not allergic to the fruit.

Attention! For any gastrointestinal pathology, it is important not to overload the stomach and to follow the diet prescribed by the doctor.

Diet for gastritis with high acidity

If a patient develops this type of inflammation of the stomach, the following processes are formed:

excessive production of hydrochloric acid;
increased acidity of hydrochloric acid.

Normally, hydrochloric acid is intended to break down stomach contents. But this must remain within certain limits so as not to damage the body's own tissues.If its pH increases, irritation of the stomach walls begins, which will lead to successive stages:

inflammation;
erosion;
ulcer;
perforation.

Gastritis can develop at different ages. Prolonged exposure to a harmful factor is enough for an inflammatory process to develop. If the acidity of gastric juice increases, you need to follow a certain diet that reduces these indicators.

Attention! Many patients know that taking antacids reduces the acidity of gastric juice. However, it is prohibited to take these medications alone. They have contraindications and side effects.

When using a diet, it is important to follow certain rules for success.

Avoid foods that cause or worsen damage to the stomach walls. It is a food containing fiber and solid elements. For example, cereals, buns, bran, stringy meat. All foods should be as tender as possible and easy to digest.
Refusal of any food and drink that causes an increase in the acidity of hydrochloric acid. For example, citrus fruits, canned goods, coffee, alcohol, sodas.
Eat foods at a warm temperature. Do not consume boiling water, hot liquids or food. Cold foods are also unacceptable. The optimal limits are 25 to 35 degrees.

If a patient's gastritis seriously worsens and causes unbearable pain, it is necessary to immediately start a strict diet. This will help to significantly reduce the inflammatory process and allow the tissues to recover. From the 3rd day, a person will feel relief. But this is possible only with the help of additional use of medications prescribed by a doctor.

When prescribing a strict diet, the following foods and dishes are recommended:

low-fat chicken or vegetable broth with crackers, which can be replaced with soft porridge (for example, oatmeal);
milk pasta soup (hard pasta is allowed);
boiled young potatoes without cream, salt;
milk with reduced fat content, so as not to cause increased load on the gastrointestinal tract due to the appearance of a high concentration of lactose.

In case of severe 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 a food causes nausea or increased pain, it is best to replace it with other types of food.

As soon as the acute period has passed, the diet is continued.It is complemented by the following types of products and dishes:

hard-boiled eggs, cooked in the oven, they 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 which must first be boiled;
soups with added cereals (all cereals are allowed except semolina);
vegetables sold in stores depending on the season;
fruits, which are recommended to be consumed between the main meals, so as not to stress the gastrointestinal tract, but 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, since it contains a large amount of microelements and vitamins;
soft cheeses;
honey, weak tea, herbal decoctions, dried fruit compote.

The following types of products should be restricted:

baked goods, muffins, fresh pastries;
candy, chocolate;
dairy products.

All of these foods increase stomach acidity. Carbohydrates negatively affect any part of the digestive tract, causing high acidity, which is a favorable environment for Helicobacter pylori to thrive. In addition, they refuse to chew gum, because when using it, hydrochloric acid is actively produced. If there are too many, acid gastritis will intensify. This can lead to the formation of erosions and ulcers.

Diet for gastritis with low acidity

With this type of inflammatory process in the stomach, the concentration and acidity of hydrochloric acid are reduced. As a result, food is poorly digested, large pieces of food enter the intestines, which causes a heavy load. This negatively affects the entire condition of the digestive tract. As a rule, people aged 40 and over suffer from such gastritis.

If the pathology is not treated in time and a diet is not used, the following complications arise:

atrophic state of the gastric mucosa;
thinning of tissues;
decreased function of parietal cells.

Low acidity gastritis is one of the most dangerous and difficult to treat diseases. It is therefore important to start treatment at an early stage, before a precancerous condition develops.

To correct the pathology, you need to consume foods that will stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. You also need to increase its acidity so that the food bolus is processed.

Attention! It is necessary to simultaneously increase acidity and not strain the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is forbidden to consume fatty, spicy, fried, smoked foods, fast food and alcohol, even if they increase acidity.

In the event of illness, gastroenterologists advise respecting certain nutritional principles:

before eating, drink 200 ml of lightly carbonated mineral water;
chew food well, gradually consuming each piece; the entire meal takes at least 30 minutes;
Between meals it is recommended to eat fruits that increase acidity, you can precook them so as not to cause stress.

With the development of hypoacid gastritis, it is necessary to consume the following types of foods or dishes:

lean types of meat - chicken, turkey, rabbit, young veal;
all types of fruits and vegetables that do not have a coarse fibrous structure (citrus fruits, white cabbage and cauliflower are recommended);
vegetable and meat broths;
a small concentration of carbohydrates in the form of sweets and pastries;
all types of fermented milk products;
canned foods;
herbal decoctions, tea, berry and fruit compote.

Since milk in any form reduces the acidity of gastric juice, it is prohibited 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 avoided if you use the prevention rules. But if the pathology has already developed, it is important to make a timely diagnosis and start treatment in order to avoid the development of complications. The therapy is based on correct and 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 gastric juice.