Effective Dietary Strategies for Managing Gastritis: Foods to Include and Avoid

This article offers practical dietary advice for managing gastritis, highlighting foods to incorporate like honey, broccoli, garlic, and probiotics, and foods to avoid such as high-fat foods, citrus fruits, and certain beverages. Proper diet adjustments can significantly ease symptoms and support healing alongside medical treatment.

How Diet Can Help Manage Gastritis: Foods to Consume and Steer Clear Of

Gastritis, commonly resulting from irritation of the stomach lining or autoimmune factors, is often associated with an H.pylori infection. Symptoms such as nausea, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal discomfort are typical. About one-third of adults experience gastritis at some point. Though common, it can be controlled through dietary choices and medical treatments. While antacids offer relief, adjusting your diet to include gastritis-friendly foods can greatly lessen symptoms. This article highlights foods beneficial for managing gastritis and those best avoided during treatment.

Diet Tips for Gastritis

Foods Recommended When Managing Gastritis

Honey
Honey offers natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, making it effective against H.pylori. Use it as a spread or stir a few teaspoons into drinks like lemon tea to help soothe stomach inflammation.

Broccoli
Whether raw, cooked, or roasted, broccoli provides sulforaphane, a compound that combats H.pylori bacteria. Broccoli sprouts contain even higher concentrations of nutrients—up to 50 times more than the florets—and are excellent for fighting intestinal bacteria. Sulforaphane supplements are also available at health stores.

Garlic
Garlic’s antimicrobial properties make it effective against H.pylori. Crushing garlic cloves and consuming the extract or using aged garlic supplements can enhance its benefits in controlling symptoms and bacterial growth.

Probiotics
Foods rich in probiotics help restore intestinal flora balance and aid in repairing the stomach lining. Incorporate yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and sourdough bread into your diet for improved digestive health.

Foods to Limit or Avoid During Gastritis

High-Fat Foods
Fried, processed, and greasy foods can worsen inflammation. Limiting these helps alleviate symptoms and promotes healing.

Dairy Products
While yogurt may be beneficial, other dairy items like milk, cheese, and cream could trigger acid reflux and should be consumed cautiously during gastritis episodes.

Citrus Fruits
Lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruits may irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate reflux symptoms. Avoid these foods until symptoms improve.

Beverages
Caffeinated drinks, alcohol, energy beverages, and soda can irritate the stomach and slow down recovery, so they should be avoided.