Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of your stomach. You may already have it but not know it because of the absence of symptoms, which is not uncommon. Some people with gastritis may experience nausea, vomiting, and a burning or gnawing pain in the stomach. The condition is called “acute gastritis” if the problem appears suddenly and severely. If it’s something that occurs repeatedly or persists for a long time, it is then referred to as “chronic gastritis”.
Having chronic gastritis means you should carefully consider what you eat. This is especially true if the problem comes with the symptoms mentioned above. Also, you want to keep some of the complications of chronic gastritis at bay which include stomach ulcers and the growth of tumors in the stomach, which may be benign or malignant.
Certainly, opting for the right diet is a crucial component to the treatment of chronic gastritis and avoidance of its various symptoms. Of course you also have to follow the treatment recommended by your doctor, such as the intake of antibiotics if the problem is due to the Helicobacter plyori (H. pylori) bacteria, or antacids and/or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Read on to know which foods you should include in your everyday diet and which ones you should steer clear of in order to keep chronic gastritis from ruining your life.
Have Whole Grains
Including whole grains in the diet is good for you whether or not you are suffering from chronic gastritis. They provide energy as well as fiber necessary for regulating bowel movement. Some good examples of whole grains are oatmeal, corn, brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, triticale and rye.
Avoid Hot Chilies and Peppers
You should dodge anything that’s too hot or spicy if you want to save yourself from the annoying symptoms of chronic gastritis. If you wish to enjoy phenomenal tasting foods, season them instead with herbs that are stomach-friendly. Some of them include basil, oregano and garlic which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Have Yogurt
Everyone knows that yogurt is good for the gut because of the good bacteria in it. It’s also something that can help you recover from chronic gastritis especially if the H. pylori bacteria the culprit behind it. Make sure that you opt for plain yogurt and not the kind laden with sugar.
Avoid Sugary Foods
Refrain from consuming anything that’s loaded with sugar. This is true particularly if your chronic gastritis is courtesy of H. pylori which love to feed on sugar. Staying away from your favorite desserts and sweet beverages is a small price to pay for keeping your chronic gastritis from worsening.
Have Vegetable Juice
Because of the rich fiber content of vegetables, your stomach may have a hard time digesting them due to the fact that it’s lining is inflamed. That’s why it is a great idea to consume vegetable juice instead. It’s something that’s easier to digest, allowing your body to enjoy all those vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Avoid Greasy and Fatty Foods
Since your stomach’s lining is inflamed, you should spare it from excessive amounts of work. Refrain from consuming anything that’s laden with grease or fat if you want to give your belly much-needed rest. You should also try to avoid highly seasoned meats like ham, bacon and sausage.
Have Fish and Poultry
Your body needs all the protein it can get for healing. Instead of red meat, opt for chicken or turkey as it is easier to digest, plus it contains less saturated fat. Go ahead and eat fish to make sure you are getting enough protein. Oily fish like trout, herring, mackerel, tuna and sardines have anti-inflammatory properties.
Avoid Tomatoes
It’s true that tomatoes are good for you because they are loaded with vitamin C and they contain lycopene, a powerful cancer-fighting antioxidant. However, it’s a good idea to steer clear of tomatoes and tomato-based food products because they are acid-forming which can exacerbate the symptoms of chronic gastritis.
