Diet For Gastritis: Healthy Menus That Help

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach wall and causes discomfort, heartburn, and even nausea and vomiting. People who suffer from chronic gastritis are often afraid to eat to avoid their discomfort. Therefore, in this article we will give you advice on how a proper diet for gastritis should be.

Keep reading and find out more!

What are the causes of gastritis

One of the most common causes of gastritis is infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori . In developed countries, this bacterium could be infecting 50% of the population, although only 15% of them develop the disease.

What makes it seem that it is highly influenced by genetic or environmental factors (food, smoking, etc.). Anyway, this is not the only cause of gastritis but there are others such as:

Continuously taking certain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Using too much alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
Autoimmune disorders such as pernicious anemia.
High stress or anxiety, as it increases gastric acids and causes what is called nervous gastritis.
The abuse of copious, very heavy or spicy foods.

How should the diet for gastritis be?

The gastritis diet consists of a nutritious and healthy diet in which those foods that feel better on the stomach are increased. In addition, those that may be harmful or irritating should be avoided.

Through a proper diet for the stomach it is possible to help improve digestion, reduce pain symptoms, and thereby reduce inflammation and gastric discomfort. It is important to remember that in the treatment of gastritis, medical monitoring is always necessary.

General dietary guidelines for gastritis

When preparing menus for people with gastritis, the following dietary tips should be taken into account:

Meals should be small : if necessary you can eat more often but not until you feel completely full.
Promote the most recommended foods for the stomach : potatoes, rice, carrots, pumpkins, cooked cabbage, apple, ripe banana and olive oil.
Gentle cooking : preferably steamed, boiled, purees, soups or creams. Avoid excessively sautéed, grilled, toasted, or very dry or undercooked foods.
Do not take food or drinks that are too hot
Drink water throughout the day

Examples of menus for gastritis

Remember that this diet could help you reduce the discomfort of gastritis but it is not curative.

For breakfasts

Semi-skimmed milk with sugar / yogurt
White bread with jam / cookies / two slices of white bread with turkey ham.
1 tablespoon skim white cheese

For mid-mornings

Roasted or stewed fruit / Peach, apple or grape juice / Recommended fruit

For the food

Starter: Zucchini puree / Boiled potatoes with chard / Garden rice / White macaroni with cooked ham, zucchini and aubergine.
Background: Roast chicken thigh without skin / Grilled veal / Boiled hake / Baked whiting.
Dessert: Ripe banana / Peach in syrup / Roasted pumpkin / Curd with sugar / Homemade custard made with skimmed milk.

For snack

Infusion with sugar and cookies / Natural yogurt / Small fruit.

For dinner

Starter: Boiled green beans, carrots and potatoes / Vegetable puree / Chicken soup with noodles / Borage with potato.
Background: Grilled breast with steamed potato / Grilled ham / Grilled sole with cooked carrot / Baked halibut / French omelette or zucchini.
Dessert : Roasted apple / Ripe pear / Fresh cheese with quince / Vanilla flan.

Note: If you want to improve digestion you can increase the consumption of an infusion with digestive properties.

Lastly, don’t limit your diet more than necessary. Think that you should follow these recommendations but always thinking about your personal tolerances. Try to make your diet, within its restrictions, as varied and complete as possible. Also, if you improve, you can progressively introduce more food into your diet.