Foods to Eat and Avoid if You Have Gastritis (2024)

There are foods to eat and others to avoid if you are trying to heal gastritis, a condition in which the lining of your stomach becomes inflamed. A gastritis diet can help to ease symptoms caused by gastric inflammation, including indigestion, bloating, nausea, and burning stomach pain.

The key to a gastritis diet is to avoid acidic, spicy, fatty, fried, sugary, processed, and caffeinated foods that can irritate the stomach. Instead, eat bland foods that are low in sugar, acid, and saturated fat.

This article explains what you can and cannot eat on a gastritis diet. It also discusses ways to manage gastritis symptoms and prevent potentially serious complications.

Benefits

The gastritis diet is designed to ease acute (sudden) flare-ups of gastritis and to prevent complications in people with chronic (persistent or recurrent) gastritis. It is not intended to replace your regular diet but can be designed to meet your daily nutritional needs if you have to be on it for a longer time.

For people with chronic gastritis, the diet can help minimize flare-ups and reduce the risk of complications, such as:

• Peptic ulcers (open sore in the lining of the stomach)
• Gastric hemorrhage (stomach bleeding)
• Anemia (low red blood cells) due to bleeding
• Peritonitis (a serious condition in which an ulcer breaks through the stomach wall)
• Stomach cancer (the 15th most common cause of cancer in the United States)

A gastritis diet may also help ease pregnancy-related nausea and heartburn.

How a Gastritis Diet Works

A gastritis diet works by restricting foods and beverages that cause stomach irritation. The duration of the diet depends on the frequency and severity of your symptoms as well as the underlying cause of your gastric inflammation.

Chronic gastritis can be caused by many things, including:

• H. pylori infection
• Bile reflux
• Excessive alcohol use
• Overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Recreational drug use, including cocaine, heroin, and prescription opioids
• Chronic diseases like diabetes or kidney failure

Until these conditions are treated or managed, a person may need to stay on the diet to not only ease acute symptoms but also to reduce the risk of flare-ups.

Guidelines for Eating With Gastritis

The following is a quick reference describing the foods you should and should not eat when experiencing acute gastritis symptoms:

Fruits and Vegetables

Avoid acidic fruits. such as citrus and tomatoes, or vegetables used to add flavoring and spice, such as onions, garlic, and hot peppers.

Instead, choose low-acid fruits and vegetables like apples, berries, pumpkin, and carrots. Bananas can also help by stimulating mucus production that protects against stomach acid. (However, avoid eating too much as they can cause bloating, gas, and cramping in some people.)

Whole Grains

Include whole grains, like bread, brown rice, and pasta in your gastritis diet. These are ideal because they are bland and have fiber (which is important for digestive health). Oats, barley, and quinoa are other nutritious options.

If you have symptoms that make eating difficult, such as gas or cramping, plain white rice or white potato may be easier to digest.

Avoid corn and anything made from corn, such as cornbread, certain gluten-free pasta, and other products. These contain sugars that can make gastritis worse.

Dairy

Fat can irritate the lining of the stomach and make gastritis symptoms worse. This includes full-fat dairy products like milk and butter.

On the other hand, you can eat low-fat dairy products like non-fat, plain yogurt. Yogurt is especially good as it contains gut-healthy probiotics that may help control bacterial infections in the gut.

Avoid sauces, fillings, or puddings made with heavy cream or soft cheeses.

Protein

Eggs, egg whites, and egg substitutes are excellent sources of protein, but avoid preparing them with butter, cream, and seasoning.Skip sides like bacon or sausage.

You also need to avoid red meat, especially ground beef and fattier cuts. Instead, choose skinless poultry or a piece of grilled, broiled, or steamed fish.

Nuts and nut butter are high in protein but also high in fat which can be problematic for people with gastritis. Legumes and beans are generally good, but keep portions small as they can cause gas and bloating.

Soups that are broth-based, like chicken soup, are better than cream soups.

Desserts

Most desserts are high in fat and sugar and should be avoided. This includes baked goods, pastries, ice cream, puddings, and chocolate. Chocolate is also problematic because it is rich in caffeine.

Instead, choose fresh berries with a low-fat, non-dairy whipped topping or a little fat-free ricotta cheese. Applesauce and sliced melon can also help ease gastritis symptoms.

Beverages

Avoid caffeine, sugary drinks, sodas, and acidic fruit juices (especially orange or tomato juice).

In addition to regular coffee, you may need to avoid decaffeinated coffee as it can be highly acidic. Other forms of caffeine, including black tea, green tea, hot cocoa, and energy drinks, should also be avoided.

Water, herbal tea, non-dairy milk, and light apple or cranberry juice are your best options. Some studies suggest that peppermint, ginger, and turmeric tea are especially useful in easing gastritis symptoms. A teaspoon of honey can also help ease inflammation.

You also need to cut out alcohol, including beer, wine, and spirits. Alcohol not only irritates the stomach but also interacts with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat gastritis, making them less effective. These include PPIs like Prilosec (omeprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole).

Spices

The gastric diet restricts spices and seasonings commonly used in cooking, including:

• Black pepper
• Chili pepper
• Garlic powder
• Hot peppers
• Mustard
• Nutmeg
• Onion powder
• Curry powder

Other herbs and spices, such as basil, oregano, sage, and tarragon, are less likely to cause stomach irritation. Some spices, like ginger and turmeric, may even help ease stomach upset.

When to Eat

When you have gastritis, the amount of food you eat and how long you go between meals can contribute to your risk of symptoms.

If you are struggling with symptoms, try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day as opposed to sitting down to three large meals.

Research suggests that it is best to eat something every two hours during an acute flare-up, even if it's a small snack. Going longer than two hours increases the risk of gastritis symptoms by no less than sixfold.

Modifications of the Gastritis Diet

If you have other health conditions with their own dietary restrictions, you may need to make certain modifications to the gastritis diet.

Examples include:

• Celiac disease: This is an autoimmune disorder that causes symptoms whenever you eat gluten. Gluten-free pasta and other gluten-free foods are often made from corn, which should be avoided if you have gastritis.Check the ingredient label of gluten-free foods.
• Diabetes: A gastritis diet contains foods that are less likely to raise your blood sugar. With that said, you can easily lose track of the amount of high-glycemic foods you eat in the rush to ease your gastritis symptoms. To avoid this, monitor your blood sugar and keep track of the foods you eat.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Work with a dietitian to ensure your gastritis diet meets your increased nutritional needs. Prenatal supplements can be prescribed to better ensure you get ample amounts of the folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D your body needs.
  

Changing your diet can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be stressful. Meal planning and preparing meals in advance can help keep you on track. If you find it difficult to stick to the diet, talk to your healthcare provider.

Socializing With Gastritis

Joining friends for a dinner party or dining out can be challenging if you have gastritis. But there are a few tips to help you eat safely:

• Before going to a restaurant, check the menu online to see what you can and cannot eat.
  
• Ask your server to point out foods that may be spicy or acidic.
• Choose foods that are grilled, broiled, poached, boiled, or steamed.
• Asks for sauces, dressings, or gravies on the side. You can then control how much is used.
• When going to a dinner party, let your host know about your dietary restrictions. It is better to let them know in advance rather than springing the news on them as the meal is coming out.
• Bring antacids and other gastritis medication with you.

Summary

A gastritis diet involves the avoidance of spicy, acidic, fried, fatty, and processed foods, including fast foods, full-fat dairy, tomatoes, and citrus. Alcohol, sugary drinks, and caffeine are also on the "miss" list.

Choose bland foods that are non-acidic and low in sugar. These include whole grains, root vegetables, fish, skinless poultry, and berries. Peppermint, ginger, and turmeric tea are thought to help ease symptoms.