Are you experiencing pain in your upper stomach? Are nausea and vomiting increasing your discomfort? If yes, you might be suffering from gastritis. Fortunately, making some dietary changes can help you treat and regulate the condition. And, if you are wondering what gastritis is, what its causes and symptoms are, what food you should eat and what you should not, think no further. Keep reading to learn all about it.
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Gastritis is a damaging and inflammatory condition of the gastric mucosa, the lining of the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. The consumption of acidic, spicy, or hot foods, alcohol, caffeine, and some pain-relieving medications can damage the lining and walls of the stomach.
Causes of Gastritis:
The following causes can irritate the lining of your stomach and lead to chronic gastritis:
1. Long-term use of medications, such as some painkillers and anti-inflammatories, namely Aspirin and Ibuprofen
2. Excessive alcohol consumption
3. The presence of H. Pylori bacteria
4. Certain diseases, such as Diabetes Mellitus or Kidney Problems
5. Weakened Immune System
6. Persistent, intense stress also affects the immune system
Symptoms of Gastritis:
Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Common symptoms of gastritis are listed below.
In many people, usually, Gastritis is asymptomatic. The most common symptoms include:
Symptoms of Acute Gastritis:
- Absence of hunger, particularly during breakfast
- Occasionally vomiting, or passing blood in the stools
- Burning in the stomach
- Pain in the stomach and around the area of the ribs
- Weakness
- Low blood count or hemoglobin levels
Symptoms of Chronic Gastritis:
- Nausea or recurrent stomach upset
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night
- A loss of appetite
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground like material
- Black, tarry stools
6 Easy Helpful Tips to Follow When You Suffer from Gastritis
A few tips that you can follow if you suffer from Gastritis:
- Ginger is a good anti-inflammatory for treating gastritis symptoms. Mix ginger and onion juice in equal parts and drink it every day.
- Add 2 tbsp of honey to lemon juice and warm water and drink daily on empty stomach. This heals the lining of the stomach naturally and reduces acidity.
- Consume a quarter teaspoon of Kalonji/ Black Onion seeds to treat acute gastritis symptoms. Eat black onion seeds to eliminate peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
- Take green cardamom seeds, fennel seeds, and cinnamon in equal portions. Roast these in a dry pan for 20-30 seconds. Make a powder of this and eat a half teaspoon with each meal.
- Eating oatmeal with honey every day for breakfast is very beneficial for treating acute gastritis and ulcers.
- Mix 1 tbsp of olive oil in a cup of warm milk and have it in the early morning to treat stomach irritation.
Effective Diet Tips to Follow When You Suffer from Gastritis
1. Avoid eating excessively. Avoid eating spicy, oily, and packaged foods and preservatives.
2. Prefer to have your breakfast early in the morning. Having an empty stomach over a long time increases your chances of getting gastritis.
3. Try to drink 12-15 glasses of water per day to flush out bacteria from the stomach lining.
4. Avoid having heavy meals. Instead, have meals every 3 to 4 hours. Avoid eating close to bedtime.
5. Eat slowly and make sure to chew your food correctly. This enhances the digestion process. Drink your food and eat your liquids.
6. Reduce stress and quit smoking and having alcohol.
Foods to Include in Your Diet to Treat Gastritis:
- Here are some foods which you can add to your diet when suffering from gastritis.
- Foods that are high in flavonoids, such as apples, cranberries, berries, and celery.
- Foods have a high content of Vitamin B.
- Foods high in minerals, such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium
Probiotics and fermented foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir. - Cottage cheese
- Include fruits, such as papaya, banana, mango, peaches, pears, apples, melons, berries, and kiwi, in your diet.
- Add some coconut milk to this to boost protein and carbohydrate content. Blend these fruits to make a smoothie to enjoy good health and nutrition.
- Vegetables, such as carrots, green leafy vegetables, and beetroots, provide rich nutrition and a healthy anti-oxidant supply to fight inflammation-causing gastritis.
- A smoothie made from a blend of avocado with apples and bananas can fill the stomach for the whole day.
Coconut water is an excellent choice to increase hydration in the body, provide electrolytes, flush the body toxins, and reduce the pain and inflammation felt due to gastritis. Coconut water is great for the digestive system.
Foods to Avoid When Suffering from Gastritis:
Some food tips to delete from your diet list to treat Gastritis:
- Rich, Spicy, fried foods
- Avoid preservatives, colors, flavors, and additives
- Avoid alcohol and stimulants
- Avoid sweets, pastries, and cakes
- Avoid highly refined sugary foods
- Limit the intake of red meat
- Reduce seasonings to your foods and spices, such as garlic, onion salt, cinnamon, and clove.
- Eliminate bread and whole grains
- Avoid eating too hot or too cold foods
- Avoid overconsumption of tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks
Elevate the quality of your food. Leave the medicines in the chemist’s pot when you can heal a human with food!
What you eat, does matter!!
Managing gastritis goes beyond best foods to eat with gastritis and foods to avoid with gastritis, incorporating lifestyle adjustments and habits that promote overall stomach health. Here are additional tips to manage gastritis apart from dietary modifications and also how to avoid Gastritis:
1) Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Both alcohol and caffeine can irritate the stomach lining, exacerbating gastritis symptoms. Limiting or avoiding these substances can help reduce inflammation and discomfort.
2) Stay hydrated: Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day is essential for maintaining stomach health. Water helps to dilute stomach acid and prevent irritation of the stomach lining. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, and consider consuming herbal teas or diluted fruit juices for added hydration.
3) Limit stress: Chronic stress can contribute to the development and worsening of gastritis symptoms. Incorporate stress-reducing techniques into your daily routine, such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga. Participating in consistent physical activity can reduce stress and enhance overall wellness.
4) Quit smoking: Smoking increases the production of stomach acid and reduces the stomach’s ability to heal. Quitting smoking can significantly improve gastritis symptoms and decrease the risk of complications such as peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. For effective smoking cessation, consider reaching out to healthcare providers, support groups, or smoking cessation programs.
5) Practice good posture: Poor posture, especially after eating, can contribute to acid reflux and aggravate gastritis symptoms. Maintain good posture while sitting and standing to prevent acid from flowing back into the oesophagus. Avoid lying down immediately after meals, as this can increase pressure on the stomach and worsen symptoms.
6) Avoid overeating: Eating large meals or consuming excessive amounts of food can put strain on the stomach and exacerbate gastritis symptoms. Be mindful of portion sizes and pay attention to your body’s signals of hunger and satisfaction. Aim to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day to prevent overloading the stomach.
7) Identify triggers: Pay attention to activities or substances that worsen your gastritis symptoms, such as certain medications, environmental factors, or lifestyle habits. Keep a symptom diary to track potential triggers and discuss them with your healthcare provider. Avoiding known triggers can help prevent flare-ups and improve symptom management.
8) Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of developing gastritis and can worsen existing symptoms. Maintaining a balanced diet and incorporating regular exercise are key for attaining and managing a healthy weight. Consulting with a healthcare expert or registered dietician can provide tailored guidance and assistance.
9) Get sufficient sleep: Inadequate sleep can weaken the immune system and exacerbate inflammation, including in the stomach lining. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to promote healing and reduce gastritis symptoms. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine and create a comfortable sleep environment to improve sleep quality.
10) Follow treatment plan: If your healthcare provider has prescribed medications or other treatments for gastritis, ensure that you adhere to the recommended regimen. Take medications as directed, attend follow-up appointments, and communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.
By incorporating these lifestyle modifications and habits into your daily routine, you can effectively manage gastritis and promote stomach health.
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