Gastritis refers to irritation or inflammation of the lining in your stomach, or mucosa, and it can be erosive or non-erosive. The condition may be acute or chronic but in most cases of non-erosive gastritis the stomach does not endure permanent damage. In erosive gastritis, the lining of your stomach is damaged by acid erosion resulting in lesions, bleeding or peptic ulcers. Diet does not cause or cure the condition but can help reduce symptom severity.
Symptoms and Diet
Your stomach produces acidic digestive juices to help break down the foods you eat. The lining of your stomach acts as a protective barrier against the acidic juices but when you have gastritis the mucosa is weakened. Erosive gastritis symptoms can include upper abdominal pain often experienced as heartburn or indigestion, nausea, bloody vomit or blood in your stool. Acidic foods like alcohol, carbonated soda and citrus or inflammation inducing foods like fatty meat or fried foods may increase the discomfort you experience during gastritis symptom flare-ups. Physician recommended medications and a well-balanced diet of easily digested foods provides you the nutrition needed to manage erosive gastritis and potentially prevent ulcer formations.
Lean Meat and Low-Fat Dairy
Fatty foods take the longest to digest and promote inflammation in the stomach. Replace high-fat red meats, fried foods and whole dairy with leaner food alternatives. Baked, grilled or broiled fish and poultry provide a good source of dietary protein and reduce stomach inflammation. Cook meats well and chew thoroughly to aid in the digestive process. Dairy products help minimize stomach acid production but choose low-fat options instead of whole dairy to decrease your saturated fat intake.
Grains and Beans
Foods high in soluble fiber like grains and beans help in the digestive process and are low acidity. Whole grains like wheat bread or pasta, brown rice and bran cereals are highest in fiber. Choose whole grains instead of refined white grains if tolerated, to maximize nutritive value. Cooked bean varieties including black, kidney or navy provide nutrients to keep your digestive system working properly and are a good source of fiber. However, beans may cause gas, therefore limit consumption if this is problematic.
Fruits and Vegetables
Add plenty of daily servings of fruits and vegetables to nourish a healthy immune system and prevent bad bacteria from causing worse symptoms. Low acid produce like apples, celery, carrots, peaches and mushrooms are vitamin rich options. Squash, green beans, bananas, pears and well-cooked green vegetables are generally easy on your digestive system. However, raw cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, onions and cauliflower may cause gas, bloating and abdominal discomfort. Citrus fruits including oranges, grapefruit and lemons, or tomatoes, cabbage and chili peppers may also irritate your stomach during symptom flares.
Additional Considerations
Alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen, Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection and existing digestive diseases can increase the risk of erosive gastritis. Treatment involves removing the potential irritant plus physician prescribed acid suppressing medications like histamine 2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors. For optimal healing consult your physician for dietary recommendations based on the cause of your erosive gastritis.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gastritis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gastritis
- Drugs.com: Diet For Ulcers and Gastritis
- MayoClinic.com; Peptic Ulcers; Mayo Clinic Staff; January 6, 2011
- Nutrition and Food Web Archive; Peptic Ulcer and Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia Diet; Christopher Theberge, RD; 2007
- Harvard University Health Services; Fiber Content of Foods in Common Portions; May 2004
