How to Diet for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a medical condition which limits the stomach’s ability to digest food. An estimate by the Temple University Health System suggests that about 1.5 million Americans currently have gastroparesis. Diabetics face the greatest chance of being affected by gastroparesis with more than one in five diabetics developing the condition. While it is incurable, gastroparesis can generally be managed with diet and nutrition geared toward easing the burden on the stomach. Changes in diet and nutrition are the main focus in gastroparesis treatment. People with diabetes who develop gastroparesis face dietary challenges on two related fronts. When diabetes is the cause of gastroparesis, controlling blood sugar is the first step in dealing with both issues. For virtually all cases, the main course of action involves changes in eating habits and eliminating or reducing the presence of certain food types in a diet for gastroparesis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Eat several small meals throughout the day:
   With a diet for gastroparesis, it is better to spread out eating throughout the day rather than to condense it into three standard meals. Eating small amounts of food several times a day can help to ease the burden on the stomach by limiting and spreading out its workload. The National Institutes of Health note that eating six small meals a day rather than three normal meals is a common medical recommendation for gastroparesis.

2. Cut down on fiber intake:
   Fiber is usually heralded as a nutrient that serves to improve the digestive process, but in sufferers of gastroparesis, fiber is actually an obstacle in digestion. Fiber is helpful in moving food through the intestines, but in the stomach, it slows the process because it takes a substantial amount of time to break down. The Hershey Medical Center at Penn State University recommends avoiding raw citrus fruits, nuts, beans, broccoli, and other similar fiber rich foods in a diet for gastroparesis.

3. Avoid fatty and fried foods:
   Unlike fiber, high fat foods slow down digestion at every stop. People with gastroparesis are advised to limit their fat intake and to avoid eating substantial amounts of fat in a short period of time. The stomach can benefit from substituting fatty meats for lean cuts, cutting down on high fat snacks or avoiding them altogether, and avoiding many frozen or canned prepackaged meals.

4. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet:
   Gastroparesis, a condition involving reduced stomach function, affects more than a million Americans. While it is currently incurable, the goal in a diet for gastroparesis is to make digestion easier for the stomach. Some nutrients like fiber and fat should be limited because they require a great deal of effort from the stomach in digestion. If you have any questions or concerns about gastroparesis, consult your doctor.