Gastritis is the clinical term for stomach inflammation that occurs when the stomach lining becomes red and swollen. A variety of conditions and other factors can cause gastritis, but changes in diet are usually necessary and important to reduce symptoms, treat them, and prevent recurrences.
Gastritis can occur for a number of reasons, including infections, regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Bayer (aspirin), and excessive alcohol consumption. Several medical conditions can increase the risk of gastritis, including digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease, and autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's disease and type 1 diabetes.
Sometimes gastritis symptoms appear quickly (called acute gastritis), and sometimes they appear gradually over time (chronic gastritis). Gastritis causes symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Untreated gastritis can increase the risk of stomach ulcers and bleeding.
Treating gastritis involves identifying and treating the cause. This may include stopping use of NSAIDs, drinking less alcohol, or taking antibiotics to clear up the infection. Depending on the cause, you may be able to make changes to your diet, such as eating less, drinking more water, and paying attention to the food you eat.
As with many conditions affecting the stomach and intestines, what foods can be tolerated may vary from person to person. However, many cases of gastritis can be linked to one or more foods you eat.
Several dietary changes may help relieve symptoms or better manage gastritis. These changes include choosing foods high in unsaturated fats, eating foods containing probiotics, and increasing your intake of folic acid and B12.
Foods high in unsaturated fat
Unsaturated fats are “healthy” fats that help reduce inflammation in the stomach lining, improve cholesterol, and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. There are two types of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Polyunsaturated fats contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, essential nutrients your body needs to support brain function and the growth of new cells.
Foods high in unsaturated fat include:
- Fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and tuna
- Nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans
- Seeds such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, and pumpkin seeds
- Vegetable oils such as olive oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil
- avocado
Fish oil supplements are another way to increase your omega-3 intake.
Foods Rich in Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can improve gastrointestinal health by suppressing harmful bacteria and adding beneficial bacteria to the intestines. For this reason, probiotics can relieve inflammation and pain in the stomach and intestines. Probiotics are especially beneficial for people with gastritis who are taking antibiotics for gastritis. This is because antibiotic use can sometimes cause diarrhea, which probiotics can help prevent.
Foods rich in probiotics include:
- low-fat Greek yogurt
- Tempeh made by fermenting soybeans
- Kefir, a fermented milk drink similar to thin yogurt
- Cottage Cheese with Live Cultures
Foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B12
Folic acid and B12 are B vitamins involved in red blood cell production and help prevent anemia.
In some types of gastritis, the immune system attacks the stomach lining, which may cause it to thin. This may affect the absorption of these important vitamins. This can lead to folate and B12 deficiencies in people with gastritis. Foods high in folic acid and vitamin B12 include:
- liver
- egg
- fish
- Fortified Breads and Cereals
Certain foods can cause gastritis in some people, such as those with food allergies. In other cases, foods with certain properties can worsen gastritis symptoms and delay recovery. In general, people with gastritis are advised to avoid foods high in saturated fat, salt, and acid.
saturated fat foods
Saturated fat is fat that is solid at room temperature and is commonly found in animal foods. These types of fats are often associated with heart disease, are considered “unhealthy,” and can irritate the stomach lining if you have gastritis. Foods high in saturated fat include:
- Red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb
- whole milk
- whole milk yogurt
- whole milk cheese
- butter
- coconut oil
high salt foods
Sodium (also known as salt) is an important mineral needed in the diet to maintain fluid balance in the body. However, most Americans consume more than they need. For patients with gastritis, studies have shown that consuming too much sodium can worsen symptoms. Foods high in sodium include:
- packaged snacks
- Processed meats such as deli meat, bacon, sausage, etc.
- frozen food
- Canned vegetables and legumes with added salt
- Canned Soups and Broths
acidic foods
Acidic foods contain greater amounts of acid than other foods, whether they occur naturally or after food processing and manufacturing. These foods are known to cause stomach irritation in many people, especially those with gastritis where the stomach lining is already irritated. Acidic foods include:
- tomatoes and tomato sauce
- fried food
- Carbonated Drinks
- coffee
- alcohol
Here are some meal ideas for people with gastritis: When creating your meal plan and preparing your food, remember that smaller meals are ideal.
morning
When buying cottage cheese, look for packages that say “live, active cultures” in the ingredient list to see if it contains probiotics.
- Low-fat cottage cheese parfait with fresh fruit and granola
- Homemade Pancakes with Low-Sodium Turkey Bacon and Blueberries
- Original Instant Oatmeal with Peanut Butter, Cinnamon, and Chopped Apples
lunch
Take time to eat as you go about your day. Eating slowly is often better tolerated by people with gastritis.
- Snack tray with carrots, hummus, skim milk cheese curds and dried dates
- Homemade Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Low-Sodium Italian Dressing
- Chicken Caesar Wrap with Light Caesar Dressing and Lightly Salted Baked Chips
dinner
Even if you have gastritis, dinner doesn't have to be burdensome or complicated. This simple home-cooked dinner will help you end your day on a balanced and nutritious basis.
- DIY Vegetable and Skim Milk Cheese Pizza with Side Salad
- Whole Wheat Spaghetti with Turkey Bolognese Sauce and Steamed Broccoli
- Roasted Garlic Herb Shrimp, Couscous and Roasted Asparagus
snack
Since eating small meals is recommended, it may be a good idea to add a snack to your day to keep you full and ensure you are getting adequate nutrients each day. These may include:
- Mashed Avocado on Sourdough Toast
- Skim Milk Cheese Sticks with Carrots and Low-Fat Ranch
- 2 hard-boiled eggs with grapes
- Fresh fruit smoothies made with skim or non-dairy milk
- Low-fat ice cream with fresh berries
An elimination diet involves completely eliminating all foods that are thought to be causing your symptoms. The length of time to eliminate these foods may vary depending on your diet instructor or health care provider, but usually lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
The elimination phase is followed by a reintroduction phase where foods are slowly added to the diet one by one.
It's a good idea to keep a journal to keep track of foods you remove and add back. The journal will monitor whether you are experiencing any symptoms and ensure that you have eliminated all forms of trigger foods. If you re-ingest a food that triggers your symptoms, you should remove it from your diet.
Gastritis is a term for stomach inflammation. This can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, infections, frequent use of NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, etc. People with gastritis often experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Treating gastritis involves addressing the cause of the condition and taking steps to reduce symptoms. This may include diet modifications, such as replacing foods high in salt, saturated fat, and acid with foods containing unsaturated fats, probiotics, folic acid, and vitamin B12.