The term gastritis refers to any condition that involves inflammation of the stomach lining. Eating certain foods, and avoiding others, can help people manage their symptoms of gastritis.
Gastritis can be acute or chronic. Acute gastritis comes on suddenly and severely, while chronic gastritis lasts for a longer duration.
Different types of gastritis are caused by different factors. Symptoms include indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, and feeling full.
For most people, gastritis is minor and will go away quickly after treatment. However, some forms of gastritis can produce ulcers or increase the risk of cancer.
Diet is an important player in your digestive health and your overall health. Following a gastritis-friendly diet can go a long way towards relieving your symptoms and helping you feeling better.
Some foods may help manage your gastritis and lessen the symptoms.
Diet does not generally cause chronic gastritis, but eating some foods can make the symptoms worse. These may include fried, spicy, and highly acidic foods.
Some people find that the following foods and drinks help ease symptoms of gastritis:
- high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and beans
- low-fat foods, such as fish, lean meats, and vegetables
- foods with low acidity, including vegetables and beans
- non-carbonated drinks
- caffeine-free drinks
Some studies say that probiotics could help with stomach issues caused by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori
H. pylori
Healthful probiotic foods could, therefore, help with gastritis. These include kombucha, yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can also help ease symptoms.
Some types of gastritis can make it more difficult for the body to absorb iron or vitamin B-12, leading to deficiencies. Talk to your doctor about taking supplements to prevent deficiencies.
Foods that are high in fat may worsen inflammation in the lining of the stomach.
For some people, food allergies can trigger gastritis. In these cases, identifying and avoiding these foods may treat and prevent gastritis.
Some forms of gastritis are caused by drinking alcohol too often or drinking too much in a short period.
Foods that may irritate the stomach, therefore making gastritis worse, include:
- alcohol
- coffee
- acidic foods, such as tomatoes and some fruits
- fruit juices
- fatty foods
- fried foods
- carbonated drinks
- spicy foods
If you notice that a certain food or food group makes your symptoms worse, avoiding this food can prevent symptoms. This is particularly true with food allergies.
Left untreated, some types of gastritis can eventually lead to a stomach ulcer, also called a peptic ulcer. If you have an ulcer, the types of foods that you should eat or avoid are similar to those for gastritis.
With an ulcer, you should make sure you are getting foods that are full of nutrients. Following a healthful, balanced diet makes it easier for the ulcer to heal.
According to research on diet and stomach ulcers, the following foods are allowed:
- milk, yogurt, and low-fat cheeses
- vegetable oils and olive oil
- some fruits, including apples, melons, and bananas
- some vegetables, including leafy greens, carrots, spinach, and zucchini
- lentils, chickpeas, and soybeans
- lean meats
- natural juices
Research also suggests that people with a stomach ulcer may want to avoid:
- fried foods
- spicy peppers
- chocolate
- caffeinated drinks
- mustard grains
Different types of gastritis have different causes. Some of these include:
Bacterial infection by H. pylori
H. pylori
The main cause of chronic gastritis is an H. pylori
Stomach lining damage
Various factors can damage the stomach lining to cause gastritis, including:
- drinking alcohol and taking certain drugs
- aspirin and pain reliever, including NSAIDS
- swallowing a corrosive substance
- bacterial or viral infections
- radioactive treatments to the upper abdomen or lower part of the chest
- surgery to remove part of the stomach
Major injury or illness
Major illness or injury can cause acute stress gastritis.
An injury to the body — not necessarily to the stomach — or an illness that affects blood flow to the stomach can increase acid in the stomach, causing gastritis.
Autoimmune disease
Autoimmune diseases may also contribute to gastritis. This occurs when the immune system starts to attack the body’s own healthy tissue in the stomach lining.
Food allergies
The link between food allergies and gastritis is not yet clear. However, food allergies can cause a rare type of gastrointestinal inflammation called eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Work with your doctor or board-certified allergist to determine any food allergies.