Gastritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining. Acute gastritis may occur in response to bacterial infection, overuse of pain relievers, excessive alcohol consumption and other causes. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, upper abdominal indigestion and a bloating sensation in the upper abdomen. Without treatment, acute gastritis may become chronic and lead to stomach bleeding, ulcers and stomach cancer. Call your doctor immediately if your symptoms persist despite home treatment, if you are vomiting blood or have black or bloody stools.
Step 1
Stay away from spicy and acidic foods, such as red and black pepper, chilies, colas, tomatoes and citrus juices. Peppermint and caffeinated beverages may also be irritating.
Step 2
Avoid consumption of red meats, refined grains and foods that contain trans fats. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating lean meats, cold-water fish, beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables instead.
Step 3
Limit your intake of fried and fatty foods. Greasy and fatty foods can increase inflammation in the lining of the stomach.
Step 4
Eliminate alcohol from your diet until your acute symptoms are gone, and then drink in moderation. Alcohol irritates the mucus lining of the stomach and can make gastritis worse. The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting yourself to one drink per day if you are female and two drinks per day if you are male.
Step 5
Eat five or six smaller meals if your symptoms are interfering with your appetite. Some people find smaller meals cause less stomach irritation.
Step 6
Choose low fat or fat-free dairy products and limit your intake of these foods to three servings per day. Dairy foods may increase production of stomach acid.
Step 7
Work with your doctor to determine if a food allergy or intolerance may be contributing to your acute gastritis. If so, eliminating the food from your diet or undergoing treatment for your allergy may relieve your symptoms.
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