If you have gastroparesis, your stomach works more slowly to empty food. Typical symptoms related to the condition in clued vomiting, nausea, extreme fullness, bloating, lack of appetite, weight loss and malnutrition and erratic blood sugar levels. A diet for gastroparesis is based on the severity of your condition and any other medical conditions from which you may suffer. Certain dietary strategies can help you manage your condition.
Small Meals
Aim to eat six or more small meals daily. Larger meals are harder to digest. You should chew your foods well and make sure they are well-cooked. Pureed foods are easier to digest – smoothies, soups, cream of rice cereal, juices and applesauce are possible options. You can puree any type of food in a blender , but some foods will need additional liquid to puree into a smooth texture. Try adding broth to meats and pasta, juices to fruits or tomato juice to vegetables.
Liquids
If you have gastroparesis, solid foods are harder to tolerate. If your symptoms are severe, consider switching to a liquid diet for a short period of time to promote digestion. When gastroparesis causes unwanted weight loss, boost your calorie intake with juice or skim milk fortified with nonfat dry milk powder or protein powder.
Nutrition
Opt for nutritious foods over junk foods that may fill you up, but deny you important health benefits. Gastroparesis may mean you do not digest foods properly and could be at risk for malnutrition. High fat foods are harder to digest, so avoid full-fat dairy, creamy soups and high-fat meats. High fiber foods, such as whole grains, legumes and raw vegetables put you at risk for developing bezoars – balls of undigested food that can cause blockages and other digestion issues.
Considerations
If you have diabetes, gastroparesis can affect your ability to stabilize your blood sugar. You should talk to your doctor or registered dietitian to make sure you get all the nutrients your need for good health. Eating meals in a seated position helps facilitate digestion as does light exercise, such as a walk, after a meal.
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