Gastritis is a common name for inflammation of the lining 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 usually not food at all, but a bacterial infection.
As for the correct menu for acute gastritis, everything 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 sample menus 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 part of the 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 population are carriers of this bacterium.At the same time, poor diet and bad habits can cause gastritis in an acute form - we are talking about smoking and alcohol consumption (primarily beer), and certain foods.
First of all, if you have gastritis, you should not eat spicy, sour or fermenting foods - including coarse crackers, spices, sausages, pickles, as well as carbonated drinks and, in some cases, yeast products that contain gluten (primarily baked).
Diet for acute gastritis
Exacerbation of gastritis can be caused by several reasons, including alcohol, poor diet, allergic reaction to food components or medication.Acute gastritis can also occur due to the consumption of stale meat and expired dairy products.
In more severe cases (especially if there is dark blood in the vomit and almost black stools), it is recommended to seek medical advice.In mild cases, exacerbation of gastritis can be cured by a strict diet with a minimum amount of solid food and switching to viscous and mushy food.
What you can eat for acute gastritis:
- viscous and well-cooked porridge;
- boiled or stewed vegetables, pureed vegetables;
- berry, fruit and dried fruit jelly;
- a small amount of cooked meat, chopped in a blender;
- vegetable fats.
What can you eat - and what can't you?
Diet for 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, for any type of gastritis, you should not eat food that causes mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach - primarily crackers and excessively hot food.Carbonated drinks, hot spices and excess salt are prohibited.
Diet for gastritis should consist of mostly liquid and mushy food, which is taken warm in small portions.
What not to eat if you have 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 beverages;
- 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 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.
Keep in mind that with gastritis with low acidity of gastric juice you can eat a small amount of fruit (primarily citrus) and some dairy products (for example, cottage cheese and cottage cheese) - while with gastritis with high acidity they are not recommended.At the same time, milk is useful if there is an excess of acid production, but it is prohibited if there is not enough acid (it reduces the acidity of the stomach).
Examples of menus for gastritis
The menu shown below presents recommendations for gastritis with high acidity.To facilitate 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 going to bed.
When choosing food products, priority should be given to fresh and natural food, while dry snacks, ready meals, semi-finished products and canned food should be excluded.Legumes (from peas to lentils) and other products that cause gas formation (onions, cabbage, radishes) represent a special 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 hot 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 fruit and milk, tea.
- Second breakfast: smoothie cocktail with milk, peach and flax seeds.
- Lunch: chicken soup with pasta and carrots.
- Afternoon snack: soft omelette with milk.
- Dinner: mashed sweet potatoes, meatballs.
- Before going to bed: a glass of warm skimmed milk.
It is not forbidden to eat red meat for gastritis, but it is better to give preference to lean beef, finely chopped or ground - you can make cutlets, meatballs or simply lightly fry it and add it 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.
Diet for gastritis is based on avoiding foods that cause mechanical and thermal damage to the stomach (coarse, excessively hot foods) and eating foods that are easily digestible.We are talking about alkaline vegetables in stewed, baked and boiled form, various compotes, as well as lean meat (shredded or ground).If you have gastritis with high acidity, you can drink milk;if you have low acidity, it is forbidden.