What Foods to Eat and Avoid During Gastritis?

Gastritis is a medical condition where the patient’s stomach lining suffers from erosion. This causes inflammation and irritation to the individual's stomach lining.

If one maintains a proper and healthy diet, one can prevent gastritis. If an individual is already suffering from gastritis, he/she can eat certain foods and avoid specific things from his/her diet altogether. This article aims to cover a list of food items one can include in one's daily diet for gastritis.

Team Digit

What is Gastritis?
Foods to Include
Foods to Avoid
Causes of Gastritis
How to Treat?
Points to Remember
Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gastritis?

Inflammation of the stomach's delicate mucosal lining is known as gastritis. Your stomach's lining acts as a barrier to keep out harm. It is under attack when it becomes inflamed. Digestive chemicals, an ingested drug, or an illness could cause it. Acute and chronic gastritis are the two forms of the disease.

Usually, acute gastritis symptoms include obvious bowel and stomach issues that resolve independently in a few days. Long-term damage to the stomach lining caused by chronic gastritis may go undiagnosed until stomach ulcers appear.

What are the Foods to Eat for Gastritis?

In a study conducted in 2020, researchers found that chronic gastritis is caused primarily due to dietary factors. Moreover, maintaining a healthy diet will hugely impact an individual's overall digestive health. Below are the best foods for gastritis that individuals can incorporate into their daily diet to either prevent or get rid of it altogether:

1. High Fibre Foods

Patients suffering from chronic or acute gastritis should incorporate food items rich in fibres in their daily meals. The undigested dietary fibres in an individual's digestive system creates butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid.

Butyrate is highly beneficial for the human gut as it promotes the growth of healthy bacteria inside the stomach. That is why any diet for gastritis should include high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.

These are the examples of high-fibre foods to eat for gastritis:

Avocados
Apples
Pumpkins
Carrots
Brown bread
Beets
Brocollis
Kidney beans
Lentils
Oats
Quinoa

2. Probiotic Foods

take probiotic foods like kimchi kombucha and more during gastritis

A few researchers conducted a study in 2013 where they found that if individuals consume probiotic foods regularly, the probiotic compounds will remove H pylori from their guts. These food items contain live and ‘good’ bacteria that promote a healthy gut.

Experts say that probiotics help heal stomach ulcers which are often accompanied by gastritis. The probiotic foods good for gastritis are:

Kimchi
Kombucha
Kefir
Miso
Sauerkraut
Sourdough bread
Tempeh

3. Anti-inflammatory Foods

eat anti inflamatory foods during gastritis

One of the worst effects of gastritis is that it causes inflammation in an individual's stomach lining, causing immense pain and a burning sensation in one’s stomach. Therefore, individuals suffering from gastritis should incorporate foods with specific anti-inflammatory properties.

Foods containing compounds like flavonoids, polyphenols and anthocyanins are anti-inflammatory foods. Flavonoid-rich foods help eliminate H pylori from gastric patient’s stomach. Indian foods consist of a variety of spices that are rich in flavonoids and are anti-bacterial in nature.

The following are some examples of such food items:

Berries
Garlic
Turmeric
Ginger
Green leafy vegetables
Coriander
Cumin

4. Lean Proteins

consume lean proteins like egg white and fish and more during gastritis

Nutritionists and dieticians advise gastric patients to avoid foods with fatty proteins as they can increase inflammation and stomach ulcers. However, lean proteins and healthy fatty acids help these patients to alleviate any pain they are experiencing.

These foods help in healing the eroded stomach lining and also increase one's stamina. One can incorporate lean proteins like chicken, freshwater fish and egg whites into his/her diet for gastritis.

Here are some examples of food items rich in lean proteins.

Egg white
Yoghurt
Low-fat cheese
Skinned chicken
Turkey
Fish
Nuts
Beans

5. Healthy Fats

take healthy fats during like nuts and seeds during gastritis

Healthy fats are always good for health. Unlike saturated fats, these healthy fats have a lot of beneficial properties. In the case of gastritis, these healthy fats help reduce the inflammation in one's stomach lining. Some of these healthy fats include:

Nuts and seeds
Fishes rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and tuna
Oils like olive and coconut oil

6. Tannin and Caffeine-free Tea

Beverages containing heavy amounts of caffeine and tannin may do harm to people with gastritis. However, individuals with gastritis can drink teas like chamomile tea, ginger tea, and green tea with natural honey.

If you have a mild case of gastritis, you may be able to consume weak tea or coffee occasionally.

7. Low-fat dairy or Dairy Alternatives

drink low fat dairy products like soy milk, almond milk during gastritis

Greek yoghurt or plant-based milk (e.g., almond, soy) can be soothing and provide necessary nutrients without excessive fat. Here's a list of low-fat dairy and dairy alternatives that can be soothing for those with gastritis:

Greek Yogurt (Low-Fat)
Cottage Cheese (Low-Fat)
Skim Milk
Almond Milk
Soy Milk
Oat Milk
Rice Milk
Cashew Milk

These alternatives can help you maintain a balanced diet while managing gastritis symptoms.

Foods to Reduce Nausea During Gastritis

These foods will help minimise nausea because they don't upset the stomach; they stabilise acid in the stomach and regulate its digestive functions.

Food	Description
Bananas	Bananas are gentle on the stomach due to their easy digestion and soft, smooth taste. They also contain potassium, which is helpful in maintaining the balance of electrolytes.
Rice	Plain rice is bland, simple, and light on the stomach for people prone to tummy upset. It is easily digestible and serves as a source of carbohydrates that will give energy.
Applesauce	Unlike raw apples, applesauce is acid-free and gentle on the stomach. Its pectin keeps everything in order during digestion and eases stomach discomfort.
Oatmeal	Oatmeal is non-acidic and does not irritate the stomach. It contains soluble fibre, which can help soothe an upset stomach and regulate bowel movements.
Ginger	Ginger is renowned for its anti-nausea properties. Compounds in ginger, such as gingerol, help combat nausea by soothing the stomach.

Foods to Reduce Heartburn During Gastritis

Including such foods in your diet can help you manage gastritis symptoms: they nourish while avoiding a lot of irritation and production of stomach acid.

Food	Description
Non-Citrus Fruits (Apples, Pears, and Melons)	Non-citrus fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants yet easy on the stomach. Once cooked, they are even kinder to it, as the cooking process breaks down some rough fibres.
Lean Proteins (Chicken, Turkey, and Fish)	Lean proteins like chicken, turkey, and fish are low in fat and have less potential to ignite stomach irritation from gastritis. These proteins are much easier for the body to digest.
Whole Grains	Brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread, and whole grains are packed with fibre and nutritious ingredients. As such, they are less inflammatory than their refined counterparts.
Low-Fat Dairy	For some individuals with gastritis, low-fat dairy products like yoghurt and milk would be soothing. Yogurt has probiotics that are useful in maintaining good gut flora.

Foods to Reduce Stomach Ache During Gastritis

These foods can help soothe and manage gastritis-related stomach aches by being gentle on the digestive system, hence not irritating the system further.

Food	Description
Bone Broth	Bone broth is a healthy liquid made by simmering animal bones and their connective tissues. The minerals in it are calming for the digestive tract, and the gelatin safeguards the stomach.
Herbal Teas	Herbal teas include chamomile and peppermint, which soothe the digestive system. Chamomile tea possesses anti-inflammatory qualities that reduce stomach pain and help relax.
Cooked Vegetables	Cooking vegetables softens them, making them more comfortable to swallow and digest. Carrots, spinach, and zucchini are easily digestible and kind on the stomach.
Mashed Potatoes	Mashed potatoes are made by boiling and mashing potatoes into a smooth, easily digested consistency. They are tasteless and have little fat, thus being gentle on the stomach during upsets.
Plain Crackers	Plain crackers are light and dry and contain little fat, so they would not upset one's stomach. They could soak up some extra acid and be a good, plain choice when feeling queasy or uncomfortable.

It's also important to avoid foods that can worsen gastritis symptoms, such as spicy foods, acidic fruits, and caffeine.

What are the Foods to Avoid for Gastritis?

Now that we have discussed the various food groups that one must consume if he/she is suffering from gastritis, let us know which foods to avoid. The following are some food items to avoid if one has gastritis:

1. Spicy Foods

avoid eating spicy foods during gastritis

If you have gastritis, then it means that your stomach lining has eroded. Extremely spicy foods that contain ingredients like chillies, hot sauce and peppers aggravate the ulcers on your stomach lining, causing gastritis. If you eat spicy food items, you will feel immense pain accompanied by a burning sensation.

2. Caffeine

avoid drinking caffeiene during gastritis

Caffeine is one of those beverages that one must avoid at any cost if he/she suffers from gastritis. This is because when one drinks coffee or any other caffeinated beverage, it increases acid production.

Due to excessive gastric juice secretion, the individual suffers from heartburn and extreme irritation and pain in his or her stomach. That is why a diet for gastritis should exclude caffeinated drinks like coffee, soda and tea.

3. Acidic Foods

avoid eating acidic foods and fruits during gastritis

Individuals suffering from gastritis should avoid eating acidic foods like tomatoes, lime, lemon, grapefruit, and oranges. This is because when somebody has gastritis, their stomach already has excessive acid and stomach juices, making it very acidic.

So, if that individual consumes fruits and vegetables, which are naturally very high in acidity, then that individual will develop more ulcers. Furthermore, all this excess acid will erode the stomach lining even more.

4. Alcohol

One must strictly avoid alcohol to get rid of gastritis and its accompanying symptoms. This is because when one consumes alcohol, the acids in one's stomach rise and reach the individual's throat.

This phenomenon is called acid reflux, and it causes heartburn in people. Experts believe that alcohol can raise the acid levels more than the usual amounts, increasing stomach lining erosion and ulcers with time.

5. Carbonated Beverages

avoid drinking beverages during gastritis

Carbonated drinks and sparkling flavoured waters may be more delicious than plain water, but they can increase the symptoms of gastritis. Beverages like canned soda contain caffeine and are naturally acidic. Moreover, such beverages bring up the acid to one’s oesophagus. As a result, both the stomach and oesophagus are harmed.

6. Fried Fast Food

avoid eating fried fast food during gastritis

Any kind of fried and fatty food is harmful to people with gastritis. Such food items are difficult to digest, and they cause more inflammation in one's stomach. Furthermore, the oil used to make fast food is not always the best oil available in the market. As a result, they can cause a host of digestive issues like diarrhoea.

7. Processed Foods

avoid eating processed foods during gastritis

Nutritionists and dieticians suggest that patients cut their consumption of heavily processed foods like sausages, chips, salami and ham. These food items are high in sodium and are very difficult to digest. Highly processed food items also can cause acid reflux and diarrhoea if consumed in large quantities.

8. Dairy Products

avoid consuming fresh dairy products during gastritis

Whole milk, cream, and full-fat cheese are considered heavy food items difficult to digest, causing more aggravation and gastritis symptoms of bloating and discomfort. Generally, foods containing a high amount of fat stimulate the production of acid and further inflammation of the lining of your stomach.

What are the Causes of Gastritis?

Your body's reaction to weakened or damaged gut lining is called gastritis. Numerous factors can contribute to it, such as:

Causes	Description
Infection	This includes Helicobacter pylori, commonly known as H. pylori, a bacterial infection leading to gastritis.
Medications	Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs, also called NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen, inflame the lining in the stomach.
Alcohol	Too much intake of alcohol may also burn the lining of the stomach.
Stress	Traumatic stress due to major surgery, injury, or illness can also cause gastritis.
Autoimmune Disorders	In the case of autoimmune gastritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the stomach.
Bile Reflux	It is a condition wherein backward flow occurs from the bile ducts into the stomach and irritates.
Other Diseases	Other diseases including Crohn's disease or some types of viral and bacterial infections, can also lead to gastritis.

Therefore mentioned underlying causes can usually be controlled to prevent or lessen gastritis.

How to Treat Gastritis?

how to treat the gastritis in simple steps

Acute gastritis may resolve on its own or improve if you give up smoking, consuming alcohol, or using specific medications. Treatment is required if you have persistent gastritis to end the condition permanently. Medication for gastritis may consist of the following:

1. Anthems

These are over-the-counter drugs that help relieve heartburn and indigestion. Numerous varieties exist, such as Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, and Tums. Consult your physician or chemist about which kind to take; avoid aspirin-containing products.

2. H2 Blockers

Drugs known as histamine-blockers (H2), which can be obtained over the counter or through a prescription, lessen the amount of acid produced in the stomach. These consist of nizatidine, famotidine (Pepcid), and cimetidine (Tagamet).

3. Proton Pump Inhibitors

These medicines can also be obtained with a prescription or over-the-counter. They consist of pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprazole (Aciphex), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), esomeprazole (Nexium), and dexlansoprazole (Dexilant).

4. Agents for Surface Coatings

These prescription medications shield injured stomach tissue from enzymes and acid, allowing it to mend. Among them are misoprostol (Cytotec) and sucralfate (Carafate).

5. Antibiotics

Your doctor will probably recommend taking antimicrobials in addition to treatments that lower stomach acid if your gastritis is brought on by a bacterial infection, such as H. pylori.

6. Medicines that Reduce Nausea

There are over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can help reduce nausea caused by gastritis. If an autoimmune illness causes your gastritis, your doctor can prescribe vitamin B12, folic acid, or iron supplements for autoimmune gastritis.

What are the Key Points to Remember?

Here are some crucial tips that will help keep gastritis at arm’s length. Follow these key points to preserve your stomach walls from the effects of gastritis.

Follow a strict diet for gastritis given to you by a doctor or a dietician. This must include all the nutrients to cure your gastritis burns and reduce their effects.
Avoid heavy, oily and spicy meals. Gastritis patients must consume light food to recover from the irritations.
Practise exercising regularly for at least 20-30 minutes.
Stress and anxiety can also lead to gastritis. Therefore, try meditation to reduce stress.
Avoid taking long naps between two meals.
You must avoid gobbling your food. Take your time and eat slowly.
Refrain from consuming excessive painkillers.
Reduce milk intake if you are prone to gastritis.
Drink lots of water throughout the day to help rinse your stomach of irritants and keep the lining healthy.
Limit alcohol and caffeine, as both appear to irritate the lining in your stomach and can aggravate symptoms of gastritis.
Eat smaller and more frequent meals. This can help avoid putting extra pressure on the stomach and cause irritation.
Avoid smoking, as smoking can boost stomach acid and irritate the lining.
Include probiotics as it favours the gut environment through food such as yogurt and fermented products.
Identify food triggers and maintain a food diary that helps to avoid specific foods that trigger symptoms.
Symptomatic and causative treatment regarding medications is taken as prescribed to better manage the disease.

The practice of such things can always help a person manage and reduce the risk of gastritis flare-ups.

If you have gastritis, it is unnecessary to worry as it is easily curable. The time taken to cure it will depend majorly on factors like- the type of gastritis you have been diagnosed with, the reasons that caused the symptoms, and the severity of gastritis. However, if you follow a proper diet for gastritis and take your prescribed medications, you can quickly get cured in no time.

FAQs about Diet for Gastritis

All

Can gastritis patients consume dairy foods with gastritis?

There are many foods to eat with gastritis, and dairy products have often been a point of debate. Some experts say that milk can coat the stomach lining and prevent erosion due to excessive acid levels in one's stomach. On the other hand, some doctors believe that milk and other milk products that are not probiotics increase the acid secretion in one's stomach.

What kinds of tests are done to diagnose gastritis?

Doctors perform the following tests on individuals if they want to determine whether the patient has gastritis or not:

Blood tests
Urea breath tests
Stool tests
Upper GI tests

How do I get gastritis to go away?

Taking care of the underlying cause of gastritis is the greatest method to eradicate it. You may need to cut back on alcohol, over-the-counter medicines, or smoking. Alternatively, your symptoms can be brought on or worsened by an infection that needs to be addressed.

What is the duration of gastritis?

For a few days, acute gastritis may persist. Months or even years can pass with chronic gastritis.

Which meals help people with gastritis?

Since most occurrences of gastritis are thought to be unrelated to diet, there is no such thing as a gastritis diet. However, consuming a food you're allergic to or consuming too much alcohol might contribute to it.

Will spicy foods worsen gastritis?

Yes, for people with gastritis, spicy foods irritate the lining of the stomach and worsen the symptoms of the condition.

Is caffeine okay to drink if I have gastritis?

No, drinking caffeine can create more acid in the stomach, which may further inflame the stomach lining and make gastritis worse.

Is there any benefit to taking in probiotic foods when I have gastritis?

Yes, probiotic foods like yoghurt and kefir may help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria and may benefit those with gastritis.

How can I manage my symptoms of gastritis through my diet?

Some manage gastritis by relieving symptoms through eating smaller and more frequent meals, avoiding all those things that irritate the lining of the stomach, like alcohol and caffeine, and sticking to bland, non-acidic food.

Is it possible to consume fruits in case of gastritis?

It depends on the fruit. Fruits such as bananas, melons, and apples are normally better tolerated, though citrus fruits tend to potentially provoke symptoms.

Is it advisable to avoid fatty foods with gastritis?

No, fatty foods retard digestion and may stimulate the secretion of stomach acid, thus potentially aggravating the symptoms of gastritis.

Is it OK to eat whole grains when you have gastritis?

Yes, whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice are normally easily digested and are good for gut health.

Must I avoid carbonated beverages when I have gastritis?

Yes, carbonated beverages can increase stomach acid and bloating, which may increase the irritating symptoms of gastritis.

Are there any herbs or spices I might use that would not be a problem with gastritis?

Mild herbs like ginger and camomile might be soothing, but the spicy ones are to be avoided since they could bring on or worsen irritation to the lining of the stomach.

Can I continue with my present medications for gastritis?

Certain medications, particularly NSAIDs, can make gastritis worse; you may want to discuss what you are taking with your healthcare professional.

How often should I eat to control gastritis?

Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day may lighten the workload of your stomach and may help avoid stimulating extra acid production in your stomach.

Can stress affect gastritis symptoms?

Yes, because stress can exaggerate the amount of stomach acid production and worsen the symptoms of gastritis, managing stress with various forms of relaxation may be helpful.