Gastritis is not a very serious condition to worry about. Although chronic gastritis takes a longer time to recover from, one can get over this condition at a faster rate with the help of medications and a correct chronic gastritis diet.
Gastritis is a condition in which the lining of the stomach gets swollen up causing pain and irritation. In some very rare cases, the condition gets worse, i.e., the lining is gradually eaten away leading to peptic ulcers. There are rare possibilities that this situation can cause permanent damage to the stomach lining, if it is not fixed in time. This happens mainly when there is increased alcohol intake, prolonged intake of anti-inflammatory drugs, and other infections. They cause the stomach lining to chafe. The symptoms of this chronic gastritis differ from person to person, but some of the common ones are loss of appetite, feeling full, vomiting, nausea, hiccups, severe abdominal pain, dark stools, and heartburn.
Once you are diagnosed with this particular condition, there are a lot of changes you have to make in your everyday routine. Most important of all would be the diet. The doctor would no doubt have a detailed discussion on the same aspect and advise gastritis diet best suited for you. But other than the diet, giving up alcohol, smoking and caffeine, is equally important. Moreover, stress can also aggravate the condition, hence practicing relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation can help to a greater extent in recovering from the condition. Since dietary modifications can improve the chronic gastritis condition and get the situation under control, let’s have a more detailed discussion on the same aspect.
Chronic Gastritis Diet Guide
Gastritis diet is a major concern amongst gastritis patients because their stomach lining is already injured and delicate, therefore, they cannot be putting it through any more hard work by eating foods, which are difficult to digest. It will only aggravate the condition. It is important to include foods that are easily digestible and work as soothing agents for the abdomen. Keep away from spicy and protein rich foods, as an extra effort is needed to digest them.
Foods Safe For Consumption During Chronic Gastritis
Every body’s tolerance level to various foods is different. You have to find out whether any particular food is causing that extra pain after its intake. Identify and restrict its intake or avoid the same. In case you are allergic to certain foods, make sure you avoid them strictly, especially during this condition. The bottom line is to consume only those foods that are easy to digest and soothing for the stomach. Stop the intake of certain foods when you know they are causing problems, to avoid further complications. These food items are good for you.
- Leafy vegetables
- Coconut water
- Carrot juice
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Vegetable salads
- Fresh fruits (low acidic)
- Cooked cereals
- Lean meats
- Whole grains
Foods That Can Aggravate the Chronic Gastritis Condition
It is easier to list down foods that should not be consumed during this condition, as they are surely known to cause stomach irritation and aggravate the whole condition. Avoid greasy, fried, canned and processed food, as they are difficult to digest. They also have preservatives in them, which may cause infections as well. You must also try to avoid fast food as far as possible. Stay away from these.
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Tea
- Aerated drinks
- Alcohol
- Canned food
- Processed foods
- Citrus juices (like orange, lemon, cranberries, etc.,)
- Tomatoes
- Meats
- Salt
- Tobacco
- Caffeine
- Dairy products
- Beans
- Chilly powder
- Pepper
- Cauliflower
- Spicy food
Last but not the least, drink plenty of water. Consume at least 10-12 glasses of water daily as it contributes to easy digestion, and helps bulk up waste products and eliminate them from the body. In this way, it keeps you away from all toxins, and reduces the frequency of being prone to any further infections.
In most cases, gastritis isn’t something that is quite serious. It can subside early, provided you take your diet and medicines seriously.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, intend to replace the advice of a medical expert.