Gastritis Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid

Millions of individuals throughout the world have gastritis, which is a common digestive problem. When the lining of the stomach gets irritated or inflamed, it can ache, make you feel ill, and make it hard to digest food. If you have gastritis, you may need to see a doctor to get better, but your diet is highly important for both getting better and avoiding it. Knowing what foods to eat and what to stay away from will help your stomach lining recover and make your symptoms far less severe.

Overview of Gastritis

Gastritis is the medical term for inflammation of the stomach's mucous lining. It could happen all at once (acute gastritis) or over a long time (chronic gastritis). If you don't receive help for the problem, it could get worse and cause problems like ulcers or even stomach cancer.

Causes of Gastritis

When the stomach gets inflamed, it's called gastritis. There are several things that might cause this. You need to know what causes gastritis so you can get the right care. Some common reasons are:

• The most prevalent cause is an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
• Taking too many NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• Drinking alcohol
• Smoking
• Stress, especially physical stress, after surgery, getting sick, or getting hurt
• Diseases that attack the body's own cells
• Not eating well

Symptoms of Gastritis

Gastritis can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which are common and some of which are more difficult to understand. Some common signs are:

• Pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen
• Feeling full
• Feeling sick or throwing up
• Not wanting to eat
• Stomachache
• Stools that are black or sticky (in truly bad situations)
• Getting full soon during meals

Foods to Eat in Gastritis

A diet for gastritis focuses on calming the stomach lining, lowering inflammation, and speeding up the healing process. These foods are really good for you:

1. Foods high in fibre: Fibre improves digestion and keeps you from getting constipated, which can help with stomach pain and other symptoms.

• Oats, brown rice, and barley
• Apples, carrots, broccoli, and other fruits and vegetables that don't have any acid in them

2. Lean proteins: Protein is good for healing, but eating a lot of fat could make your acid levels go up. Lean sources are less likely to make you sick.

• Turkey and other birds that don't have skin
• Tofu with beans 
• Eggs

3. Fruits that aren't too acidic: Acidic fruits could make inflammation worse. Fruits that don't have a lot of acid are good for your stomach.

• Applesauce, bananas, and melons
• Pears

4. Foods that have been fermented: Probiotics are found in fermented foods, which help keep the bacteria in your gut in check.

• Yoghurt that has live germs in it
• Kefir and sauerkraut that aren't overly sour

5. Whole grains: Whole grains are better for you than refined grains since they include more fibre and minerals. Refined carbs can make inflammation worse and raise blood sugar levels.

• Bread made from whole wheat
• Quinoa
• Brown rice

6. Herbal drinks: Herbal teas can naturally relax the stomach and lower inflammation.

• Chamomile
• Slippery elm 
• Ginger tea

7. Good fats: Fats are good for you, but trans and saturated fats may make gastritis worse. Unsaturated fats are easier for the body to take in.

• Olives
• Avocados
• Nuts

Foods to Avoid

Some meals may make gastritis symptoms worse by irritating the lining of the stomach. Don't do these:

1. Hot foods: Capsaicin is a substance found in chilli peppers that can hurt the lining of the stomach and make symptoms like discomfort and acid reflux worse. Try to avoid

• Chilli
• Fiery sauces
• Foods with a lot of spices

2. Foods and drinks that are acidic: Foods and drinks that are high in acid might make the stomach lining hurt more and cause reflux.

• Citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges
• Tomatoes and things that are created from tomatoes
• Soda and other drinks that make bubbles

3. Fried and fatty foods: Foods that are heavy in fat make the stomach empty more slowly and make more acid, which puts a lot of stress on the digestive system.

• Fast food that
• Chips
• Red Meats

4. Drinks with caffeine: Caffeine makes the stomach produce more acid, which can harm the lining.

• Caffeine
• Tea 
• Energy drinks 

5. Drinking Alcohol and Smoking: Smoking and drinking alcohol can both hurt the lining of the stomach and make it take longer to heal. Alcohol hurts the stomach, and smoking slows down the healing process and creates less mucus.

6. Processed foods: These often have fake flavours, preservatives, and unhealthy fats that could damage your stomach.

Preventive Measures for Gastritis

Avoiding gastritis isn't as hard as you would believe. To avoid acquiring gastritis or to make the flare-ups less severe, you might want to make the following changes to your life:

• Eat smaller meals more often.
• Don't eat late at night or lie down after you eat.
• Stop or cut back on drinking and smoking.
• Don't use NSAIDs or limit them unless your doctor tells you to.
• Meditation, working out, or going to therapy can all help you deal with stress.
• Keep your body clean to avoid getting H. pylori.

Treatment

The treatment for gastritis largely depends on what caused it:

• Antibiotics for H. pylori infection
• H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to lessen the quantity of acid in the stomach
• Antacids to quickly ease symptoms
• Changes to your food and lifestyle that will help you get better in the long run
• It's crucial to see a doctor to get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion

You need to find the right mix between food and medicine to keep gastritis under control. If you know what foods to consume and what to avoid, you can feel better, heal faster, and keep your symptoms from coming back. Eating the correct foods and living a healthy life can really help your digestive system perform better.

FAQs

1. Is it okay for people with gastritis to eat yoghurt?

Yes, plain yoghurt with probiotics can help balance the bacteria in your gut and may help you heal, but only if you can handle lactose.

2. How long does it take for gastritis to go away?

If you take care of it, acute gastritis can become better in a few days. Chronic gastritis, on the other hand, can take weeks or even longer to get better, depending on what's causing it.

3. Are bananas healthy for those with gastritis?

Yes, bananas are not acidic and are easy on the stomach, therefore they are a good dietary choice.

Dt. Ms Sunitha

Sr Dietician

CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, Hyderabad