Gastritis is a collective term for inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or esophagus.It is believed that up to 80% of gastrointestinal diseases are related to it.In this case, the cause of gastritis is most often not food at all, but a bacterial infection.
As for the appropriate menu for acute gastritis, it all depends on whether the acidity of the gastric juice has increased or decreased - this affects the list of permitted and prohibited foods.In the material below you will find menu examples for each case.
Gastritis - the main rules of nutrition
Medical science believes that the main cause of gastritis is bacterial infection.The bacterium Helicobacter pylori settles in the lower part of the esophagus and moves within the mucosa, 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, improper nutrition and bad habits can provoke gastritis in an acute form - we are talking about smoking and alcohol consumption (primarily beer), as well as certain foods.
First, if you have gastritis, avoid spicy, sour or fermentable foods - including coarse crackers, spices, sausages, pickles, as well as carbonated drinks and, in some cases, gluten-containing yeast products (primarily baked goods).
Diet for acute gastritis
Exacerbation of gastritis can be caused by several factors, including alcohol, poor diet, allergic reactions to food ingredients, or taking medications.Acute gastritis can also occur due to the consumption of stale meat and expired dairy products.
In severe cases (especially if there is dark blood in the vomit and almost black stools), it is recommended to consult a doctor.In mild cases, the exacerbation of gastritis can be cured by following a strict diet with a minimum amount of solid food and switching to viscous and pasty foods.
What can be eaten in case of acute gastritis:
- viscous and well-cooked porridge;
- boiled or steamed vegetables, vegetable puree;
- jelly from berries, fruits and dried fruits;
- a small amount of boiled meat, crushed in a blender;
- vegetable fats.
What can you eat - and what can't you?
The nutrition of gastritis depends on whether the acidity is increased or decreased.In the first case, it is recommended to avoid foods that stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, while in the second case, they will be useful in the diet.Note that in practice, gastritis with high acidity is more common.
In addition, with any type of gastritis, you should not eat foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach - primarily crackers and too hot foods.The consumption of carbonated drinks, hot spices and excessive salt is prohibited.
The gastritis diet should consist predominantly of liquid and porridge-like foods, warm in small portions.
What not to eat if you have gastritis:
- too hot and cold foods;
- coarse foods that can damage the stomach;
- fermentation products;
- heavy fatty foods;
- most spices (including paprika);
- most sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard);
- carbonated beverages;
- alcoholic beverages;
- strong tea, coffee and chocolate.
what can you eat
In the case of gastritis, the diet should be based on the consumption of fresh vegetables (they are alkaline in nature and reduce the acidity of gastric juice), natural products (well-cooked whole grains), lean meat and eggs.Pasta and a small amount of fresh bread are acceptable, but it is better to avoid sweet pastries, cookies and crackers.The food must be chewed thoroughly.
Remember that you can eat small amounts of fruit (mainly citrus fruits) and some dairy products (such as cottage cheese and cheese) with gastritis with low gastric acid - while gastritis with high acidity is not recommended.At the same time, milk is useful if there is excessive acid production, but it is forbidden if there is insufficient acid production (it reduces the acidity of the stomach).
Examples of gastritis menus
The menu presented below contains recommendations for the treatment of gastritis with high acidity.In order to facilitate the work of the stomach, you should eat 5-6 times a day, avoiding long breaks.Also, if you have gastritis, it is not recommended to skip breakfast, and you should eat dinner no later than 2-3 hours before going to bed.
When choosing food, preference should be given to fresh and natural foods, dry snacks, ready meals, semi-finished products and canned goods should be excluded.Legumes (from peas to lentils) and other gas-inducing products (onions, cabbage, radishes) are particularly dangerous - they should not be consumed in case of gastritis.For the same reason, rye and yeast products are prohibited.
Gastritis menu: Example 1
- Breakfast: rice porridge with raisins in milk, weak warm tea.
- Second breakfast: milkshake with milk, banana and chia seeds.
- Lunch: fried fish side dish with steamed vegetables.
- Afternoon snack: oatmeal, dried fruit compote.
- Dinner: pureed vegetable soup, steamed chicken fillet.
- Before going to bed: a glass of warm skimmed milk.
Menu for gastritis: example 2
- Breakfast: oatmeal with dried fruit and milk, tea.
- Second breakfast: smoothie with milk, peaches and flax seeds.
- Lunch: chicken soup with noodles and carrots.
- Afternoon snack: soft omelette with milk.
- Dinner: sweet potato puree, meatballs.
- Before going to bed: a glass of warm skimmed milk.
The consumption of red meat is not prohibited in case of gastritis, but it is better to give preference to lean, finely cut or minced beef - you can use it to make steak, meatballs, or simply fry it lightly and add it to your porridge (buckwheat and quinoa).Frying is also not prohibited, but it is important to use only a small amount of vegetable oil and not to eat the food too hot.
The gastritis diet is based on eating foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach (coarse, excessively hot foods) and easily digestible foods.We are talking about alkaline vegetables in steamed, fried and boiled form, various compotes, as well as lean meat (shredded or minced).If you have gastritis with high acidity, you can drink milk;if it has a low acid content, it is prohibited.