Meals for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, literally meaning "stomach paralysis," occurs when the stomach empties its contents too slowly. It results from damage to the vagus nerve that controls peristalsis --- the wave-like propulsions that move food along the gastrointestinal tract. Gastroparesis often leads to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, early satiety and bloating. While no standard nutritional treatment exists, medical professionals do make general recommendations for meals.

General Guidelines

Eating small, frequent meals, from 4 to 6 per day, may decrease the feeling of bloating and early satiety. Avoid high-fat foods and high-fiber foods. A lower fat intake may speed up gastric emptying because high-fat foods naturally slow down digestion. High-fiber foods and raw fruits and vegetables like oranges and broccoli have fibrous materials that are difficult to digest and that can remain in the stomach too long. Limit fiber foods to 10 g per day.

Liquid and Blenderized Diets

Dietary treatment for gastroparesis has four stages, the first two being liquids and blenderized foods. Liquid meals or foods pass through the stomach more easily and quickly and still provide all the nutrients found in solid foods. You can puree different low-fat and low-fiber solid foods to soften them before eating. Include simple carbohydrates, eggs, peanut butter, lean meats, cooked fruits and vegetables or juice and low-fat dairy products and desserts.

Soft Foods and Solids

While still maintaining the low-fat and low-fiber diet, you can consume soft and then solid foods in the third and fourth stages. Stage 3 includes a small amount of fat, up to 40 g per day. The final stage is more long-term and consists of solid foods with a fat content of up to 50 g per day. Continue to avoid fibrous foods.

Gastroparesis and Diabetes

If you have gastroparesis as a result of diabetes and want to regain control of blood sugar levels, eat six smaller meals a day to help restore normal levels. Also, eating several liquid or pureed meals a day will stabilize levels and improve symptoms. Speak to your doctor about your diet if you have gastroparesis.