Gastritis Diet

Gastritis can be a painful condition to live with. If ignored, it can cause extensive pain and significantly increase the chance of developing ulcers and stomach cancer. A gastritis diet can help someone with this condition manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Luckily, there are options to control gastritis that does not include surgery. Diet is a crucial way to control gastritis flare-ups.

Here we’ll give insight into gastritis symptoms and then provide diet options that will help you control your condition and get back into your routine. There are various types of gastritis, and we aim to describe appropriate dietary options for them, respectively.

What is Gastritis? 

Gastritis is an inflammation or erosion in the stomach lining. Infections, overuse of alcohol, chronic vomiting, bile reflux, and the excessive use of inflammatory drugs may be vital contributing causes to your gastritis. Other factors, such as stress and smoking, significantly increase your chance of being diagnosed with a form of stomach inflammation.

Causes of Gastritis

Several significant factors can cause gastritis. These are:

• H. pylori infection
• Damage to stomach lining
• Food allergy
• Autoimmune disease
• Stress caused by significant illness or injury
• Pain relievers
• Age
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Spicy foods
• Pernicious anemia
• Chronic bile reflux

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Common Symptoms

Symptoms vary from individual to individual, but common signs are abdominal bloating, indigestion, hiccups, loss of appetite, tarry stools, nausea, and burning sensations between meals or bedtime. You may also experience blood in stool or vomit, associated with bleeding of the stomach lining. 

Diagnosis

Gastritis can be diagnosed by your healthcare provider using a barium swallow, upper endoscopy procedure, blood test, or a fecal occult blood test. Other diagnostic procedures include testing for anemia and testing for bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. 

Barium swallow – The medical term for a barium swallow is an esophagogram. After drinking a chalky liquid, a special X-ray is used to show movement through the upper gastrointestinal tract in real-time. The X-ray is called fluoroscopy. 

Upper endoscopy – An upper endoscopy is also referred to as an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). A thin tube with a light and camera attached is fed down the throat into the stomach and, if necessary, the small intestine. 

Blood test – H. pylori bacteria are responsible for some cases of gastritis. Blood tests look for antibodies to this bacteria.

Fecal occult blood test – A fecal occult blood test uses chemicals to detect small amounts of occult blood present in feces or bowel movements.

Types of Gastritis

Acute Gastritis

Acute gastritis is the sudden onset of gastritis. Symptoms include stomach burning, nausea, heartburn, and a loss of appetite.

This type of gastritis may only last a short period. If symptoms persist beyond 24 hours, it is recommended to contact your healthcare provider.

Acute gastritis can be treated with over the counter (OTC) and prescription drugs.

If your acute gastritis is caused by infection, an antibiotic may be prescribed to eliminate the bacteria culprit. A typical antibiotic course will last up to 14 days to make sure the infection is eliminated.

Commonly prescribed antibiotics are Amoxil, Augmentin, and Flagyl. Antacids and medications to reduce acid production may also help alleviate symptoms caused by acute gastritis.

An acute gastritis diet should consist of eating smaller meals. This should help with indigestion and subside some of the pain caused by stomach acid.

It is recommended to eat more meals throughout the day, so you continue to get the calories and nutrients your body needs while on an acute gastritis diet.

You also want to avoid having an empty stomach as this can make the condition worse. Abstaining from alcohol and irritating foods such as deep-fried, spicy, and acidic foods should significantly reduce your symptoms.

The most common cause of gastritis is infection with the H. pylori bacteria. 

More on H. Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is typically contracted in childhood – though adults can also contract the bacteria. Few specifics are known as to how the bacteria is contracted, exactly, but it is believed it can be passed from person to person through contact with saliva, vomit, or feces. Infection is common, with more than 50% of the US population of people aged 50 and over being affected. Some ethnic groups are also at increased risk of infection, particularly African Americans, Latinos, and people of Eastern European descent. 

What Does H. Pylori Do in the Stomach?

Many people infected with H. pylori aren’t aware of the infection because they have no symptoms. However, in some cases, the bacteria can cause inflammation of the stomach lining or gastritis. H. pylori are also the most common cause of stomach ulcers. 

The bacteria releases urease, an enzyme. This enzyme reduces the acidity of stomach acids, which directly impacts the stomach lining. With a weaker lining, stomach cells are at increased risk of injury from stomach acid. There are also cases where H. pylori increased stomach acid production, but researchers aren’t sure as to how the bacteria causes this. 

Antral Gastritis

Antral gastritis can cause severe pain in the gastrointestinal tract and is considered an autoimmune disorder, making it different from other gastritis forms.

Additionally, antral gastritis only affects one area of the stomach, while most other gastritis forms occur throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract.

Defined by two different types, antral superficial gastritis, and antral erosive gastritis, symptoms are consistent with other gastritis forms and controlled with diet.

An antral gastritis diet should include more mushy and liquid-based foods such as soups, oatmeal, and porridge.

As with acute gastritis, an antral gastritis diet should consist of smaller meals. Rather than eating two or three large meals a day, eating five to six small meals is recommended.

Having an empty stomach should be avoided. Foods like barley soups, lean meat, fish, honey, cottage cheese, and cereal are all appropriate options for an antral gastritis diet.

You should avoid spicy and acidic foods, mushrooms, smoked meats, chocolate, fish broth, and alcohol.

If you are taking medications known to increase stomach acidity or cause gastritis, you should consult your healthcare provider to obtain replacement medication if possible.

Chronic Gastritis

Unlike acute gastritis, chronic gastritis is known to last long periods. Similar to other forms of gastritis, chronic gastritis occurs when the stomach lining becomes inflamed or eroded.

Chronic gastritis can cause excessive wear to the stomach lining since it occurs over such a long time. This continued erosion can result in precancerous changes to your stomach cells, such as metaplasia or dysplasia.

There are three different types of chronic gastritis that all carry other causes:

• Type A- Autoimmune disorder where the immune system destroys stomach cells
• Type B- Bacterial infection caused by the pathogenic organism Helicobacter pylori
• Type C- Erosion caused by irritants like alcohol, bile, or NSAIDs

Chronic gastritis may require on-going monitoring. Like other forms of gastritis, it can be controlled with an appropriate diet.

A chronic gastritis diet should consist of lean meats like chicken, fish, and turkey. You should incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Foods that are high in natural probiotics, such as yogurt, are appropriate for the chronic gastritis diet. Whole grain bread, rice, and pasta will also complement the diet well.

For additional protein sources, you can include tofu or beans. If you suffer from Type B, numerous food types may help inhibit further bacterial growth.

For example, garlic contains antimicrobial properties known to be effective against Helicobacter pylori. Cranberries may change how the bacteria interact with the stomach, causing bacterial destruction. Ginger and turmeric also are known to inhibit bacterial growth.

You should avoid eating foods that are high in sodium or fat. It is advised to avoid consuming excessive red meat and preserved meat.

You may complement your chronic gastritis diet with probiotics. Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium are recommended choices as they help improve stomach lining function, protecting it from bacteria.

Research on Chronic Gastritis

According to Gastroenterology Research and Practice, chronic gastritis is a stepping stone toward gastric cancers. Research “hypothesizes that the sequence of lesions reflects a dynamic process from a naïve inflammation caused by H. pylori infection to a fully malignant neoplasm of the stomach.”

Additional research suggests “Helicobacter pylori is the main aetiologic factor for chronic gastritis worldwide. The degree of inflammation and the evolution of this form of chronic gastritis can vary largely depending on bacterial virulence factors, host susceptibility factors, and environmental conditions.”

Based on endoscopic results, patients with chronic gastritis also tend to exhibit “precancerous lesions, including atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia.”

It is estimated that more than half the people worldwide have some form of chronic gastritis, which is often associated with infection of the H. pylori bacteria in childhood. 

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Ulcer Disease

According to Dr. Judith Marcin, MD, the bacterium H. pylori, which is associated with many forms of gastritis, significantly increases the chances of developing ulcer disease within the digestive tract.

Since this organism is the culprit of many different types of gastritis and ulcers, it is appropriate to include foods that effectively eliminate this organism.

A diet for ulcers and gastritis should include broccoli and yogurt at a bare minimum.

Broccoli contains antimicrobial chemicals, such as sulforaphane, that are effective against pathogenic bacteria like H. pylori. Broccoli is also known to have properties that may decrease the risk of getting stomach cancer.

Yogurt is an excellent probiotic. It contains an active culture of “good bacteria” that work to eliminate unhealthy bacteria in the stomach.

Apples, celery, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, olive oil, honey, and herbal teas are excellent choices in a diet for ulcers and gastritis.

A diet for ulcers and gastritis should also include eating smaller but more numerous meals throughout the day. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and cutting back or abstaining from alcohol will also help significantly. 

Research on Ulcer Disease

Based on research, instances of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) increased from 35 cases per 100,000 people in 2004 to 41 cases per 100,000 people in 2010. Patients in the study who were admitted to the hospital with “UGIB secondary to PUD… was associated with significant morbidity and mortality.”

Just as is the case with chronic gastritis, there’s a connection between PUD and H. pylori bacteria. Still, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) is also on the hook. The most commonly used NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. 

While cases of H. pylori infection continue to decline around the world, treatment is becoming more difficult because the bacteria are building resistance to the current medical treatments. Also, “Peptic ulcers not associated with H pylori infection or the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are now also imposing substantial diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.”

However, research does show that gastroprotection drugs, like proton-pump inhibitors, “reduce the risk of peptic ulcer disease and its complications and promote healing of peptic ulcers in a wide range of clinical circumstances.”

Erosive Gastritis

Erosive gastritis typically occurs from chronic gastritis. This is because the excess stomach acid has had a significant amount of time to damage and erode the stomach lining.

Often caused by the growth of H. pylori, an appropriate diet can mitigate erosive gastritis.

Onions, garlic, certain teas, celery, thyme, soy foods, and legumes are appropriate choices to help in your fight against erosive gastritis.

You may have to give up some of the foods you love, but it will be well worth the sacrifice.

Research on Erosive Gastritis

In a study of 70 patients with gastritis, 56 were diagnosed with erosive gastritis; a three-medication treatment protocol of metronidazole, omeprazole, and amoxicillin was effective in eradicating H. pylori infection. The “erosive group responded better than the non-erosive group” to therapy.

In addition to bacterial causes of erosive gastritis, research has shown that eating speed can be a cause. According to research, “high eating speed is an independent risk factor for endoscopic erosive gastritis.”

Some of the most recent research, as of 2020, shows that new medications and medication combinations are useful in the treatment of erosive gastritis and the emotions associated with the condition. “Co-prescription of esomeprazole and flupenthixol/melitracen improved the clinical symptoms and mucosal erosions, relieved negative feelings, and reduced the recurrence rate.”

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) happens when there is a consistent recurrence of stomach acid backflow into the esophagus. This acid reflux irritates the lining of the esophagus, causing what many people interpret as heartburn.

Typical symptoms of GERD include chest pain, heartburn, vomiting, and the feeling of a lump in the throat.

You may also have trouble sleeping due to the condition. As with gastritis, diet plays a significant role in both the cause and relief of GERD symptoms.

A GERD and gastritis diet should include avoidance of eating food late at night. The diet should also avoid deep-fried foods, foods high in fat, and acidic foods.

As with many gastritis diets, coffee and alcohol should be minimized, if not avoided, while on a GERD diet.

Research on GERD

According to The American Journal of Gastroenterology, “Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is arguably the most common disease encountered by the gastroenterologist. It is equally likely that the primary care providers will find that complaints related to reflux disease constitute a large proportion of their practice.”

Just like there are erosive and non-erosive gastritis cases, there are also cases of erosive and non-erosive GERD. Treatments for the conditions can range from dietary changes and weight loss to medications and surgery. 

“Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorder in the United States, and leads to substantial morbidity, though associated mortality is rare. The prevalence of GERD symptoms appeared to increase until 1999. Risk factors for complications of GERD include advanced age, male sex, white race, abdominal obesity, and tobacco use.”

Autoimmune Gastritis

“Autoimmune gastritis is a chronic inflammatory disease with destruction of parietal cells of the corpus and fundus of the stomach. The known consequence is vitamin B12 deficiency and, consequently, pernicious anemia. However, loss of parietal cells reduces secretion of gastric acid which is also required for absorption of inorganic iron; thus, iron deficiency is commonly found in patients with autoimmune gastritis.”

The condition is progressive, which means it gradually gets more severe over time if no treatment or lifestyle changes are adopted. As with all autoimmune disorders, the immune system attacks the body. In this case, the stomach lining in particular, causing damage and disease. It is thought that it affects women more than men. 

Research on Autoimmune Gastritis

One thing that makes autoimmune gastritis different from other diseases is that autoimmune illnesses tend to come in groups. Thus, there’s a good chance that people with the condition are also experiencing other autoimmune conditions that need to be diagnosed and medically addressed for optimal treatment. 

It is thought that the condition is directly associated with autoimmune thyroiditis or type 1 diabetes, according to Autoimmunity Reviews. 

In patients with autoimmune gastritis, not only are the stomach lining and cells damaged to the point that iron absorption and uptake are hindered, but lower ascorbic acid levels have also been found in patients. Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is also needed for the uptake of iron. 

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Treatment for Gastritis

There are various treatments for gastritis. Often, these treatments are associated with the type or cause of the condition. 

H. Pylori-Based Infection

In patients with gastritis associated with H. pylori bacteria, medications are prescribed to kill off the infection. According to the National Institutes of Health, treatments for H. Pylori-based gastritis include:

• “two or more antibiotics
• a proton pump inhibitor
• in some cases, bismuth subsalicylate”

Because H. pylori bacteria may have grown resistant to antibiotics taken in the past, the healthcare provider will likely prescribe medications you’ve never taken. It’s essential to take the full dose for the prescribed time to ensure the infection is eradicated. There’s a good chance you’ll be tested again in a few weeks to ensure the infection has been stopped. 

NSAID-Based Gastritis

Patients who’ve taken NSAIDs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain for an extended period can also develop gastritis. This is often called reactive gastropathy. The first step in treatment is to stop taking NSAIDs and choose a pain medication that will not affect the stomach lining. If that’s not a possibility, the healthcare provider may suggest lowering the NSAID dose. In other cases, a proton-pump inhibitor may be prescribed to take with the NSAID to “prevent or treat reactive gastropathy and its possible complications.”

Autoimmune Gastritis

In the case of autoimmune gastritis, the main focus is to prevent pernicious anemia. As such, your healthcare provider may suggest supplementation with vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron. If anemia develops, vitamin B12 injections may be indicated as a more effective treatment. 

Other Treatments for Gastritis

In the case of stress-related gastritis, healthcare professionals may prescribe H2 blockers or sucralfate. Dietary and lifestyle changes are often the first line of defense, however. 

Best Diet for Gastritis

Diet plays such a vital role in the treatment of gastritis, and many food types are considered “irritants” to the condition.

Erosion of the stomach lining causes an influx of stomach acid, which is the key contributor to your stomach pain and nausea.

To make matters worse, you may not be getting the critical nutrients from the food you are eating since gastritis can cause malabsorption.

The best diet for gastritis will ensure you get the nutrition you need while alleviating the symptoms.

Changing your diet becomes the best bet at controlling your gastritis. You need to start eating foods that will allow the inflammation or erosion in your stomach lining to heal. When you maintain your diet, you will usually see a reduction or complete elimination of your symptoms in a matter of weeks.

Some of the more obvious, immediate steps you can take are to reduce very acidic foods, spicier food options, caffeine, and alcohol.

If you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), talk with your healthcare provider about alternative options since NSAIDs can worsen your gastritis symptoms.

Finding ways to reduce stress, such as exercise, can also help reduce your symptoms. 

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Gastritis Diet Food List

Here are some of the various foods that will help in your fight against the multiple types of gastritis, or at least ease dietary stress on your stomach:

• Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish
• Garlic
• Onions
• Honey
• Whole grain rice
• Whole grain pasta
• Whole grain bread
• Yogurt
• Broccoli
• Celery
• Legumes
• Kale
• Thyme
• Soy foods
• Cottage cheese
• Cereal with milk
• Barley soups
• Oatmeal
• Porridge

Here are various foods to avoid when suffering from gastritis:

• Acidic foods
• Fatty foods
• Deep-fried foods
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Red meat
• Smoked meats
• Spicy foods

Treating Gastritis With Lifestyle Changes

Making some significant lifestyle changes can work wonders in preventing and treating various forms of gastritis. 

Obesity & Gastritis

“Gastric physiology and its neurohormonal regulation are altered in obesity; however, it is unclear whether gastric function abnormalities are the cause or consequence of obesity. Obesity also is associated with symptoms that may arise in the stomach, such as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, retching, and gastritis.” People with obesity are also at an increased risk of gastric ulcers.

According to the Obesity Action Coalition, the three main reasons why the gut is at risk in obese people are:

• “Excess weight seems to promote inflammation in the gut. 
• Gut bacteria are different in individuals affected by obesity compared to individuals with a weight in the normal range. 
• The lining of the gut appears to be leakier in individuals affected by excess weight and obesity.”

So, what’s the solution? Weight loss. But, losing weight with gastritis can be difficult because some of the healthiest foods out there can also cause stomach irritation, which is the last thing you want when fighting gastritis symptoms. Here are a few tips. 

1. When planning your gastritis diet, skip acidic foods. This includes fruits like orange, grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, lime, tangerines, and others. These acidic foods can increase inflammation of the stomach lining and leave you in pain. 
2. Dairy products help some people and are irritating for others, so you’ll have to do a little personal testing if you desire to keep milk, cheese, and other dairy products in your diet. 
3. Try fermented foods like probiotic yogurt. Research has shown that probiotics can help ease stomach inflammation. 
4. Eat many small meals, not a few large meals. You don’t want to overpower your stomach. Give it time to digest smaller meals so you get the nutrition you need without feeling gastritis symptoms. 
5. Never skip meals or go for prolonged periods without eating. An empty stomach is nothing more than acid just waiting there for something to do. 
6. If you drink coffee, switch to a half-caff or green tea. Caffeine can irritate the stomach causing gastritis symptoms. Though green tea also contains caffeine, it supplies far less than traditional coffee, and the anti-inflammatory properties of green tea are beneficial to help ease symptoms.
7. Skip the fried foods. Not only are fried foods laden with extra fat and calories, but they cause stomach irritation in people with gastritis. Instead, choose grilled, baked, or air-fried recipes.

Smoking & Gastritis

Research has shown that smokers are more likely to develop stomach inflammation, heartburn, and ulcers. Smokers are also at increased risk of H. pylori infection. H. pylori are the bacteria responsible for many cases of gastritis. 

There’s also the fact that smoking weakens the valve that prevents stomach acid from moving back into the esophagus. The acid easily flows back into the throat with a weakened muscle, causing symptoms of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there’s also a connection between smoking and stomach cancer.

So, how do you stop smoking to ease gastritis symptoms? Here are a few tips on smoking cessation from SmokeFree.gov.

1. “Stick to Your Plan
2. Get Support
3. Stay Busy
4. Avoid Smoking Triggers
5. Stay Positive”

Let’s take a look at each of these steps a little more closely, so you have the most success at quitting this time for good. 

Stick to Your Plan: Having a “personalized quit plan” means being prepared for the stresses that come with quitting smoking and reminding yourself along the way why you’re stopping in the first place. Things to include in your plan are a definitive start date, a calculation of total weekly, monthly, and yearly savings you’re getting by not smoking, a list of health and other reasons for quitting, a list of triggers or things that make you want to light one up, a list of ways to fight cravings including things like distraction or exercise, and a list of resources you can access if you need more help like the number for a smoking cessation hotline or a friend who’s agreed to be your quit buddy. 

Get Support: There are excellent resources available to help with smoking cessation, including call centers, smoking counselors, text programs, and mobile apps.

• Text QUIT to 47848 for a free Stop Smoking text message program. 
• Call 1-877-448-7848 for the National Cancer Institute Quitline.
• Call 1-800-784-8669 for your state quitline.
• Download a smoking cessation app for trigger and craving tracking and advice on stopping smoking for good. 

Stay Busy: When you first stop smoking and, for many months after, you’ll need to fill the time when you’d typically smoke with other activities. Ruminating on the desire to light up is not going to help you pass the urge. Some of the best activities include exercise, chewing gum, relaxing with deep breathing and meditation, or even playing a game on your phone. Anything to take your mind off the desire to smoke will help you move on your day a bit easier. 

Avoid Smoking Triggers: Here’s where your personalized quit plan comes into play. You’ve made a list of the most common triggers that make you feel like you need to smoke. This list will likely grow throughout the quitting process. If you know certain situations, like grabbing a drink in a bar, will make you want to smoke, avoid that trigger until you have better control over your cravings. Throw away all items that have anything to do with smoking, including ashtrays and lighters. 

Stay Positive: SmokeFree.gov puts it well. “Quitting smoking is difficult. It happens one minute…one hour…one day at a time. Try not to think of quitting as forever. Pay attention to today, and the time will add up. It helps to stay positive. Your quit day might not be perfect, but all that matters is that you don’t smoke—not even one puff. Reward yourself for being smoke-free for 24 hours. You deserve it. And if you’re not feeling ready to quit today, set a quit date that makes sense for you.”

Stress & Gastritis

Another known cause of gastritis is stress. Over the years, stress has been associated with weight gain, increased blood pressure, mental health issues, and more. Not only will relieving stress in your life reduce gastritis symptoms or possibly prevent it from developing in the first place, but it will support overall health and wellness. According to research, physiological stress “can lead to inflammation of the stomach, known as stress-induced gastritis. In the stressed state, elevated levels of ACH and histamine result in increased acid production thus inducing gastritis.”

Typically, stress gastritis is most prevalent in patients in a clinical setting, such as hospitals or long-term care facilities. This is because the changes occur in the body during prolonged stress associated with illness, injury, or trauma. 

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, three tips for reducing stress immediately include:

1. Take short breaks every hour and practice slow, mindful breathing. Try breathing slowly and quietly in and out through your nose for one minute every hour. 
2. Say no to being a super-person. You may want to do it all, but you have to consider how much is already on your plate. Don’t accept more work or responsibility than you can comfortably handle. 
3. Exercise, exercise, exercise, but maybe not how you think. Any type of activity can help relieve stress, but some people experience anxiety worsened by cardio exercise. In these cases, or if you want a more laid back option, try yoga and meditation. Both are shown to reduce stress. 

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Alcohol & Gastritis

Frequently overindulging in alcohol can have detrimental effects on the stomach lining, particularly inflammation. You don’t have to abuse alcohol to develop gastritis. If you consume more than the recommended amount of alcohol, frequently enough, the stomach lining doesn’t have time to heal, and, eventually, inflammation happens. 

The best way to prevent alcohol-induced gastritis is to consume the recommended amount of alcohol, one drink daily for women and two drinks for men, and stick with that. Gastritis isn’t the only consideration in regards to drinking too much alcohol. Alcohol abuse can also lead to stomach bleeding and ulcers. 

Aside from avoiding overusing alcohol, recent research shines a light on a possible new treatment. Specifically, research has shown “that risky alcohol drinking combined with cannabis use is associated with reduced prevalence of alcohol‐associated gastritis in patients.” Now, these results are preliminary, but research is building up. A second study has revealed, “cannabis co-use was associated with decreased incidence of alcoholic gastritis when compared to non-users of cannabis,” to the tune of a 25% reduction in cases. 

Gastritis Diet Recipes

What are some stomach-easing recipes that help you stick with your gastritis diet and relieve pain and symptoms at the same time? Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic foods you can eat on the gastritis diet. 

Turmeric Tea

Let’s start easy with a simple tea with turmeric, a proven anti-inflammatory spice. 

Ingredients:

3 cups of water

2 teaspoons of ground turmeric

honey for sweetening (optional)

milk (optional)

Directions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan. 
2. Add turmeric, stir well and reduce heat to a simmer. 
3. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly. 
4. Strain through a cheesecloth or coffee filter into your cup. 
5. Add honey and milk to taste. 

Kale Miso Soup

You can find miso powder online and in some specialty stores. The powder is considered a living food, so you must refrigerate after opening. 

Ingredients:

4 cups low-sodium broth

3 cups fresh kale, washed and ribboned

1 package extra-firm tofu, cubed

1 tablespoon miso powder

2 tablespoons water

Directions:

1. Add broth and kale to a medium saucepan and heat to boiling. 
2. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. 
3. Remove from heat and add tofu cubes. 
4. In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon miso powder with 2 tablespoons of water. 
5. Add the miso paste to your soup and mix gently until combined well. 
6. The recipe makes two servings if you can share. 

Baked Pears With Oats

The traditional recipe for baked pears using a whopping ¼ cup of melted butter. High-fat dishes can cause gastritis flare-ups for some people, so we’ve replaced the butter with applesauce. 

Ingredients:

4 pears, halved with seeds removed

¼ cup unsweetened applesauce

½ cup oats, old-fashioned

¼ cup slivered almonds

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. 
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, aside from the pear halves. Mix until combined well. 
3. Spoon equal amounts of the filling into each pear half. 
4. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. 
5. Top with non-dairy whipped topping, if desired, and enjoy warm!

3-Day Gastritis Sample Menu

So, what are you supposed to be eating on a gastritis diet? What does a menu look like? Here is a sample menu that you can use to create a plan of your own to fight gastritis symptoms. 

Day 1:

Breakfast: 1-2 eggs, hard-boiled, poached, or scrambled with cooking spray, 2 pieces of whole-grain toast, warm green tea sweetened with honey.

Lunch: 2 cups cooked pasta tossed with ½ cup finely chopped mushrooms sauteed in cooking spray, herbs of your choice, and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.

Dinner: 2 oven-roasted chicken legs, 1 medium baked potato topped with 1 tablespoon of plain, probiotic yogurt, fresh salad (without acidic vegetables or fruits) drizzled with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. 

Day 2: 

Breakfast: overnight oats topped with chopped nuts and seeds and drizzled with honey and 1 serving of whole fruit. 

Lunch: warm quinoa topped with grilled chicken and vegetables.

Dinner: grilled tilapia filet served with ½ cup brown rice and garlic-tossed steamed asparagus.

Day 3:

Breakfast: probiotic yogurt sundae with layers of whole fruit, honey, and oats. 

Lunch: ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese (if dairy is not a trigger food), topped with grilled turkey or chicken served on a bed of romaine lettuce leaves. 

Dinner: loaded baked potatoes topped with roasted, low-acid vegetables and plain, probiotic yogurt.

Snacks: non-acidic fresh fruit, plain crackers, wheat toast with honey, probiotic yogurt, sliced avocado. 

The gastritis diet is all about easing the effects food has on the stomach lining. When irritated and swollen, as is the case with gastritis flare-ups, you want to choose easy to digest foods packed with fiber and free from processing. With a few changes to your diet, you may find flare-ups are easier to manage, last less time or stop altogether. 

A high fiber diet certainly won’t derail your weight loss efforts. Let Noom help you lose more weight today by teaching you how to choose the best foods to keep you healthy.

Questions & Answers on the Gastritis Diet

What can you eat when you have gastritis?

When you have gastritis, your healthcare provider may suggest a high-fiber, low-fat, low-acid diet without caffeine. 

How do I heal gastritis?

Dietary and lifestyle changes are active ways to heal gastritis. You can adopt a low-inflammatory diet, stop smoking, reduce stress, and avoid heavy meals to start.

Can I eat eggs with gastritis?

Yes, you can eat eggs on a gastritis diet. Clinical research shows that eggs do not affect inflammation. 

How long does gastritis take to heal?

Cases of acute gastritis resolve in two to 10 days. Chronic cases can last years if left untreated. 

How can I rebuild my stomach lining?

The simplest way to rebuild your stomach lining is by adding fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha to your diet. Other foods like asparagus, pineapple, and apple cider vinegar have also been shown to help repair the lining.

How bad is gastritis?

Gastritis is typically a treatable condition with no lasting effects. However, there are acute and chronic gastritis cases linked to an increased risk of ulcers and stomach cancer. 

What triggers gastritis?

Gastritis is triggered by irritation or infection of some kind. Irritation can be linked to stress, medications, food choices, vomiting, and other factors. Infection typically comes from H. pylori bacteria.

Does gastritis go away on its own?

Yes, most cases of gastritis go away on their own. If you notice symptoms that last a week or longer or see blood in vomit or stool, contact your healthcare provider for an appointment. 

Is bread bad for gastritis?

No, bread isn’t bad for gastritis. You can eat bread on a gastritis diet.

Is gastritis curable?

Yes, many cases of gastritis are curable. That being said, chronic gastritis can cause irreversible damage to the lining of the stomach.