Gastritis Diet Guide: What to Eat and Avoid

Gastritis often causes severe stomach pain, which can be worse after eating fatty or spicy foods. Other symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and heartburn are also common.

One of the main recommendations of doctors is adhering to a gastritis diet, which will help you cope with symptoms. The diet for gastritis is based on simple principles: avoid acidic, spicy foods, reduce sugar intake, and prefer simple, low-component dishes with a minimum amount of heat treatments.

Why diet for gastritis?

If you have gastritis, your doctor will probably suggest you make some changes to your diet.

Reducing or eliminating foods that can irritate the stomach lining can help alleviate unpleasant symptoms. A gastritis diet can help prevent further tissue damage and give them time to heal.

When the mucous membrane is inflamed, it cannot produce enough gastric juice for digestion. It also reduces the mucus that protects the stomach wall from stomach acid, further damaging tissues.

The main goal of a gastritis diet is to reduce inflammation. There are general guidelines you can start with. For example, avoid foods and drinks that often irritate your stomach (such as coffee and sour fruits). But it is better to consult with a specialist and make yourself a diet that suits your individual needs and preferences.

How much to stick to a diet for gastritis?

Gastritis can be temporary or chronic. The timing of the diet will depend on many different factors, including symptoms and their duration, causes of stomach inflammation, and other treatments prescribed by your doctor.

In some cases, it may be sufficient to stop using a specific trigger to relieve gastritis symptoms. For example, if you have taken ibuprofen or other over-the-counter pain relievers and have gastritis, you may feel better if you stop taking these medications.

If your gastritis is due to other causes, you may need more prolonged treatment.

Nutritional features for gastritis

Fruits and vegetables: Highly acidic foods should be avoided, especially citrus fruits and tomatoes. It is worth excluding vegetables used as spices and flavorings, such as onions and garlic.

Instead, choose fruits and vegetables that are low in acid, preferably those that are a good source of fiber—for example, apples, berries, pumpkins, and carrots.

Cereals: You can eat whole-grain bread, brown rice, pasta, and other grains. You can eat white rice or potatoes in small portions.

Oats, barley, and quinoa are all allowed cereals. If you don't eat wheat bread, avoid its corn flour counterparts, prohibited for gastritis.

Dairy: You should avoid fatty dairy products, but low-sugar, probiotic Greek yogurt can be a beneficial addition to your gastritis diet. Some low-salt hard cheeses can be consumed in small amounts. Avoid sauces, creams, and puddings made with heavy cream.

Protein: Eggs, egg whites, and egg substitutes can be excellent sources of protein. However, it is best to cook them soft-boiled, poached, or omelet rather than fried. Avoid pairing eggs with salted, processed breakfast meats such as sausage or ham.

Red meat is prohibited. Choose lean parts of turkey or chicken and seafood.

Desserts: Any food high in fat and sugar should be avoided during the gastritis diet. Baked goods, baked goods, ice cream, or pudding can irritate a sore stomach (especially if they are made with dairy products). Chocolate is also prohibited.

Use natural honey, ginger, mint, and turmeric as sweeteners to help calm the digestive system.

Drinks: Some people with mild gastritis may drink weak tea or coffee with a bit of low-fat milk or cream. You can also add honey to the tea. However, these drinks are highly acidic and are not approved for gastritis diets.

Cold drinks with high sugar content, such as sodas and energy drinks, are also prohibited. Sour juices (such as orange juice or other citrus fruits and tomato juice) are not permitted. Some fruit juices can be consumed in moderation, but choose low-sugar varieties.

Avoid alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer, and cocktails.

Foods allowed for gastritis

1. Beans and legumes
2. Eggs, egg whites, or egg substitutes (not fried)
3. Seafood, shellfish (not fried)
4. Honey
5. Slightly acidic vegetables (cucumber, white potatoes, carrots)
6. Fruits that are low in sugar and acid (pumpkin, blueberries, strawberries, apples)
7. Low salt soft cheese
8. Oats, barley
9. Peppermint, ginger, turmeric
10. Plain low-fat yogurt
11. Probiotic-rich foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha)
12. Rice
13. Lean skinless bird (chicken, turkey)
14. Whole grain bread and pasta

Foods prohibited for gastritis

1. Sour fruits (citrus fruits) and vegetables (onions)
2. Alcohol
3. Chocolate
4. Coffee and tea
5. Corn and maize products (pasta, bread)
6. Dairy
7. Energy drinks
8. Fatty food, fast food, spicy food
9. Fried or hard-boiled eggs
10. Garlic
11. Ice cream, cakes, and pastries, pastries
12. Marinades, salsa, mayonnaise, creamy sauces
13. Nuts and peanut butter (small amounts allowed)
14. Potato chips, packaged snacks
15. Processed meat (sausage, hot dogs)
16. Red meat, duck, goose
17. Refined grains, fresh bread, refined pasta
18. Smoked meats
19. Soda, carbonated drinks
20. Spices, herbs, seasonings (especially black pepper)
21. Tomatoes and tomato products (juice, pasta, sauce)

Recommended meal times for gastritis

When your digestive system is under stress, the amount of food you eat and the time between meals can be irritating.

If you are prone to indigestion, it may be helpful to change your meal and snack times.

Try to eat small meals more often throughout the day. No more than three main meals a day. If you don't feel full, then add a few small snacks to your main meals.

You can choose any time according to your daily routine.

Cooking tips for gastritis

The most important rule in the treatment of gastritis is to exclude fried, heavy, spicy, sweet, and fatty foods. You should also exclude fast food from the diet.

You should spend more time preparing food properly. To avoid irritating your stomach, you can steam, boil, and bake.

It is better to give up spices, dressings, and marinades for a while. You can add some natural herbs and salt for flavor.

Oil can also be irritating. If necessary, replace the butter with extra virgin olive oil.

Grocery list for gastritis for a week

To make it easier for you to diet with gastritis, we have prepared for you a ready-made template of products that should be in your refrigerator. You can edit the shopping list based on product availability and your preferences.

Open the list of products