A gastroparesis diet focuses on small, frequent meals of low-fat, low-fiber, easily digestible foods, often pureed or liquid, to help with slow stomach emptying, emphasizing cooked fruits/veg (no skins/seeds), lean proteins, refined grains (white rice/bread), and liquids like smoothies, while avoiding high-fiber solids (nuts, seeds, raw veg) and high-fat items (fried foods). Chewing food thoroughly and staying upright after eating also aids digestion.
Good food choices for gastroparesis include:
Avoid large meals. Try 4-8 smaller meals and snacks. You may need to avoid foods that are high in fat, such as fried or greasy foods. High fat drinks are usually ok – try them and see.
Some people find it helpful to:
How is gastroparesis treated in children?
Diabetes is the most common known underlying cause of gastroparesis. Diabetes can damage nerves, such as the vagus nerve and nerves and special cells, called pacemaker cells, in the wall of the stomach. The vagus nerve controls the muscles of the stomach and small intestine.
How do doctors treat gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis, a condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying, significantly alters the way individuals digest food. Patients often experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, early satiety, and upper abdominal pain making it challenging to consume adequate food.
Eat more fiber.
Fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, leafy vegetables and fresh fruits will add bulk to your feces and help stimulate the bowel to push food along. Because a quick addition of fiber to your diet can result in gas, bloating and cramps, it should gradually be introduced over time.
Our emergency care team can administer different medications to reduce the risk of further vomiting. Rehydration: IV rehydration and monitoring may be necessary for patients who have vomited or are unable to keep water down.
Your Functional Bowel Disease Program team,* collaborating to effectively treat these disorders, includes:
Many people take probiotics to help relieve diarrhea, constipation or stomach pain. Over the long term, probiotics should improve your overall gut health, including your bowel regularity and digestion, reducing discomfort.
If decreasing the amount of food does not work, or if symptoms are severe, try liquid-type foods or purees. Protein shakes (store bought or homemade) can be used as a meal replacement when solid foods are not tolerated.
Avoid foods and beverages that increase reflux, such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, chocolate, mint, and acidic foods. may be easier to digest than solid foods. meals to prevent air bubbles in your stomach.
Activities that involve rhythmic movements, such as walking, jogging, or swimming, can be particularly effective in promoting gut motility and reducing symptoms of gastroparesis.
Soup ideas (thicken, blend and season as desired):
The 7 Day Gut Reset is a clean-eating and lifestyle-based plan designed to: Eliminate common gut disruptors. Introduce healing, nourishing foods. Support your digestive system with hydration and rest. Improve the diversity of your gut bacteria.
Spotlight the Super Six:
When it comes to the plants you eat, you want to eat from across the six different plant groups: vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes (beans and pulses), nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices.
General diet guidelines include:
Eat frequently — 5 small meals a day — and avoid large meals. Decrease high fat meals. However, fats in liquids, such as milkshakes, can be a great source of needed daily calories that are well tolerated, because they are in liquid form and pass easily through the stomach.
Avoid using over-the-counter supplements or laxatives for constipation, such as Metamucil, as they may remain in the stomach and lead to bezoar formation. There are many medications that can slow gastric emptying. Ask your doctor if any of your current medications may be contributing to the issue.
Patients with gastroparesis can also have constipation which can be an important symptom in some patients. In development of patient reported outcomes (PROs) for gastroparesis, constipation was reported by 53% of patients (2).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), can help ease pain from gastroparesis. Many NSAIDs are available OTC.
Causes. Gastroparesis happens because the muscles and nerves that are meant to make the stomach empty don't work properly. There are different reasons why this can happen: High blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) caused by poorly controlled diabetes can damage nerves, including those affecting stomach emptying.
Certain herbs—especially ones with natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties like Aloe vera, Boswellia, Coptis, and Ginger can help strengthen that gut lining filter, tighten up those zippers, and support your body's natural repair process.