Gastritis is a collective term for inflammation of the lining of the stomach or esophagus.It is believed that up to 80% of gastrointestinal diseases are associated with it.In this case, the cause of gastritis is usually not diet at all, but rather a bacterial infection.
As for the correct menu for acute gastritis, it all depends on whether the acidity of gastric juice is increased or decreased - this affects the list of allowed and prohibited foods.Examples of menus for each case can be found in the material below.
Gastritis – the most important nutritional rules
Medicine believes that the main cause of gastritis is a bacterial infection.The bacterium Helicobacter pylori settles in the lower esophagus and moves in the mucous membrane, forming microchannels into which hydrochloric acid (the basis of gastric juice) enters.
It is believed that more than half of the world's population is a carrier of this bacterium.At the same time, poor nutrition and bad habits can provoke gastritis in an acute form - we are talking about smoking and drinking alcohol (mainly beer), as well as certain foods.
First, with gastritis, you should not eat spicy, acidic or fermentable foods - including coarse crackers, spices, sausages, pickles, as well as carbonated drinks and, in some cases, gluten-containing yeast products (mainly baked goods).
Diet for acute gastritis
Exacerbation of gastritis can be caused by a number of reasons, including alcohol, poor diet, allergic reactions to food ingredients, or taking medications.Acute gastritis can also result from eating stale meat and expired dairy products.
In severe cases (especially if there is dark blood in the vomit and almost black stools), it is advisable to seek medical advice.In mild cases, exacerbation of gastritis can be cured by a strict diet with a minimum of solid food and switching to viscous and mushy foods.
What can you eat for acute gastritis:
- viscous and well-cooked porridge;
- boiled or stewed vegetables, vegetable puree;
- jelly made from berries, fruits and dried fruits;
- a small amount of boiled meat, minced in a blender;
- vegetable fats.
What can you eat - and what can't you eat?
Diet for gastritis depends on whether acidity is increased or decreased.In the first case, it is recommended to avoid foods that stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, in the second case they are useful in the diet.Note that gastritis with high acidity occurs more often in practice.
In addition, with any type of gastritis, you should not eat foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach - especially crackers and foods that are too hot.Carbonated drinks, hot spices and excess salt are prohibited.
The diet for gastritis should consist predominantly of liquid and porridge-like foods, which are taken warm in small portions.
What you shouldn't eat for gastritis:
- excessively hot and cold food;
- coarse food that can damage the stomach;
- products that cause fermentation;
- heavy fatty foods;
- most spices (including paprika);
- most sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard);
- carbonated drinks;
- alcoholic beverages;
- strong tea, coffee and chocolate.
What can you eat?
Diet for gastritis should be based on the consumption of fresh vegetables (they are alkaline and reduce the acidity of gastric juice), natural products (well-cooked whole grain cereals), lean meat and eggs.Pasta and a small amount of fresh bread are acceptable, but sweet pastries, cookies and crackers are best avoided.The food must be chewed thoroughly.
Note that with gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, you can eat a small amount of fruits (mainly citrus fruits) and some dairy products (for example, cottage cheese and cheese) - while with gastritis with high acidity this is not recommended.At the same time, milk is useful when there is excessive acid production, but it is forbidden when there is insufficient acid production (it lowers the acidity of the stomach).
Examples of menus for gastritis
The menu presented below contains recommendations for gastritis with high acidity.To facilitate the work of the stomach, food intake should occur 5-6 times a day, avoiding long breaks.In addition, if you suffer from gastritis, it is not recommended to skip breakfast and you should eat dinner no later than 2-3 hours before bedtime.
When choosing food, preference should be given to fresh and natural foods, while dry snacks, ready-made meals, semi-finished products and canned foods should be excluded.Legumes (from peas to lentils) and other products that cause gas formation (onions, cabbage, radishes) pose a particular danger.They should not be consumed for gastritis.For the same reason, rye and yeast products are prohibited.
Menu for gastritis: example 1
- Breakfast: rice porridge with raisins in milk, weak warm tea.
- Second breakfast: Smoothie with milk, banana and chia seeds.
- Lunch: baked fish with a side dish of stewed vegetables.
- Afternoon snack: oatmeal, dried fruit compote.
- Dinner: pureed vegetable soup, steamed chicken cutlets.
- Before going to bed: a glass of warm skimmed milk.
Menu for gastritis: example 2
- Breakfast: oatmeal with dried fruits and milk, tea.
- Second breakfast: smoothie cocktail with milk, peach and flaxseed.
- Lunch: Chicken broth with noodles and carrots.
- Afternoon snack: fluffy omelette with milk.
- Dinner: mashed sweet potatoes, meatballs.
- Before going to bed: a glass of warm skimmed milk.
Eating red meat for gastritis is not prohibited, but it is better to give preference to lean beef, finely chopped or minced - you can make cutlets and meatballs from it, or just lightly fry it and add it to the porridge (buckwheat and quinoa).Frying is not forbidden either, but it is important to use only a little vegetable oil and not to eat the dish too hot.
The diet for gastritis is based on avoiding foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach (rough, too hot foods) and eating easily digestible foods.We are talking about alkaline vegetables in stewed, baked and boiled forms, various compotes, as well as lean meat (chopped or minced).If you suffer from gastritis with high acidity, you can drink milk;If you have low acidity, this is prohibited.