Gastroparesis can lead to weight loss and not getting enough nutrients (malnutrition). It's very important to follow your healthcare provider's diet instructions. In most cases you will be given a special diet. This will have foods that are easier to digest and pass through your stomach.
Over 48 weeks, 30% of patients increased their body weight ≥ 5%. Diet, activity, and symptoms are important factors associated with body weight in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of mild to moderate physical activity, such as walking, yoga, or Tai Chi.
Use hot cereals such as Cream of Wheat or rice, grits, instant quinoa or oat flakes. Add whole milk, cream, butter, coconut cream, rice milk, honey, molasses or premade protein shakes for extra calories.
Keeping your blood sugars in goal ranges (before and after meals) may decrease gastroparesis problems. High blood sugars directly interfere with normal stomach emptying. 9. Alcohol should be avoided, since it can also impair gastric emptying.
Foods that are generally encouraged include: Breads, cereals, crackers, ground or pureed meats. Vegetables – cooked and, if necessary, blenderized/strained. Fruits – cooked and, if necessary, blenderized/strained.
Gastric emptying was increased during treadmill exercise at all intensities excluding 75% VO2max as compared to rest. Gastric emptying was similar for all intensities during walking and at 57% and 65% VO2max during running.
Although there is no cure for gastroparesis, changes to the diet, along with medication, can offer some relief. Certain medications, such as some antidepressants, opioid pain relievers, and high blood pressure and allergy medications, can lead to slow gastric emptying and cause similar symptoms.
A gastroparesis meal is one that is small (1 to 1 ½ cups of food), almost like a snack, and is low in fat and fiber. It is easy to rely too much on nutrient poor foods such as white breads, pastas, crackers, chips, and sweets when fiber is lowered.
Effects of Gastroparesis
Chronically delayed stomach emptying creates dramatic shifts in blood sugar levels and can cause dizziness, fatigue and nausea.
Background: The classic clinical picture of gastroparesis is a symptomatic patient losing weight. In addition, a number of patients with delayed gastric emptying are obese and/or gaining weight.
Avoid High-Fat Foods: Skip the fried foods, high-fat meats, full-fat dairy and baked goods. Instead, enjoy limited amounts of healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, avocado, nut or seed butters and fatty fish.
Low-fiber foods
“Having a low-fiber diet with easy-to-digest foods could help with symptom management for those who suffer from GI issues.” Examples of low-fiber foods include white rice and white pasta, potatoes, and low-fiber fruits like grapefruit.
A person with gastroparesis should prioritize meat, egg, and dairy products with a low fat content. Some low fat options include: skinless, well-cooked poultry.
Foods worsening symptoms included: orange juice, fried chicken, cabbage, oranges, sausage, pizza, peppers, onions, tomato juice, lettuce, coffee, salsa, broccoli, bacon, and roast beef. Saltine crackers, jello, and graham crackers moderately improved symptoms.
White, sour dough, Italian and French breads are good choices. Low-fiber cold cereal such as Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies are better than bran flakes. Lean protein such as Greek yogurt, cheese, eggs, fish and skinless poultry are easier to digest than beef and pork. Beef and pork should be ground or minced.
Fruits and vegetables:
Baked or mashed potato (no skin) Sweet potato (no skin) Fruit and vegetable juices (no pulp) Canned peaches, pears, and apricots (skins removed)
When getting enough calories is a daily struggle, make everything you eat and drink count: Take medications with calorie-containing beverages like milk, juice, and sweet tea instead of water or diet drinks. High calorie drinks are better than water because they provide calories and fluid.