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 associated with it.In this case, the cause of gastritis is most often not nutrition at all, but a bacterial infection.
As for the correct menu for acute gastritis, it all depends on whether there is increased or decreased acidity of gastric juice - this affects the list of foods that are allowed and prohibited.You will find menu examples for each case in the material below.
Gastritis - the main rules of nutrition
Medicine believes that the key cause of gastritis is a bacterial infection.The bacterium Helicobacter pylori settles in the lower esophagus and moves inside 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 inhabitants are carriers 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 (primarily beer), and about certain foods.
First of all, if you have gastritis, you should not eat spicy, sour or fermentable foods - including coarse crackers, spices, sausages, pickles, as well as carbonated drinks and, in some cases, yeast products containing gluten (primarily baked goods).
Diet for acute gastritis
Exacerbation of gastritis can be caused by several reasons, including alcohol, poor diet, allergic reaction to food components, 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 stool), it is recommended to seek medical advice.In mild cases, exacerbation of gastritis can be cured by following a strict diet with a minimum amount 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 from berries, fruits and dried fruits;
- a small amount of boiled meat, smashed in a blender;
- vegetable fats.
What can you eat - and what can you not?
Nutrition for gastritis depends on whether there is increased or decreased acidity.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, for any type of gastritis, you should not eat foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach - primarily crackers and excessively hot foods.Carbonated drinks, hot spices, and excess salt are prohibited.
The diet for gastritis should consist of predominantly liquid and porridge-like foods, taken warm in small portions.
What not to eat if you have gastritis:
- excessively hot and cold food;
- rough food that can damage the stomach;
- products that cause fermentation;
- heavy fatty foods;
- most spices (including bell pepper);
- most sauces (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard);
- carbonated drinks;
- alcoholic drinks;
- strong tea, coffee and chocolate.
What can you eat?
Nutrition for gastritis 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 grain cereals), 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.Food must be chewed thoroughly.
Note that with gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice, you can eat a small amount of fruits (primarily citrus fruits) and some dairy products (for example, cottage cheese and cheese) - whereas with gastritis with high acidity they are not recommended.At the same time, milk is useful if there is excess acid production, but is prohibited if there is insufficient acid production (it lowers the acidity of the stomach).
Examples of menus for gastritis
The menu presented below presents recommendations for gastritis with high acidity.To ease the work of the stomach, food should be taken 5-6 times a day, avoiding long breaks.Also, if you have gastritis, it is not recommended to skip breakfast, and you should have dinner no later than 2-3 hours before bedtime.
When choosing food products, preference should be given to fresh and natural food, while dry snacks, ready-made meals, semi-finished products and canned food should be excluded.Legumes (from peas to lentils) and other products that provoke gas formation (onions, cabbage, radishes) pose a separate danger - they should not be consumed if you have 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 bed: a glass of warm skim milk.
Menu for gastritis: example 2
- Breakfast: oatmeal with dried fruits and milk, tea.
- Second breakfast: smoothie cocktail with milk, peach and flaxseeds.
- Lunch: chicken broth with pasta and carrots.
- Afternoon snack: fluffy omelette with milk.
- Dinner: sweet potato puree, meatballs.
- Before bed: a glass of warm skim 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 use it to make cutlets, meatballs, or simply lightly fry and add to 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 dish too hot.
The diet for gastritis is based on avoiding foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach (rough, excessively hot foods) and eating foods that are easy to digest.We are talking about alkaline vegetables in stewed, baked and boiled form, various compotes, as well as lean meat (chopped or minced).If you have gastritis with high acidity, you can drink milk; if you have low acidity, it is prohibited.