THE DIET IN GASTRITIS, ULCER AND COLITIS

Much has been said about what can and cannot eat in these diseases, the following will try to simplify and organize allowed and not allowed food (including how to prepare) for people suffering from gastritis, ulcer or colitis. 

The first thing to know is that a basic diet consists of macronutrients like proteins (eg. Meat), fat (eg. Cooking oil), carbohydrates (eg. Rice) and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals latter present mainly in fruits and vegetables. 

So what I can or can not eat? let’s start:

MACRONUTRIENTS

PROTEIN. 

Meat: A patient with gastritis can hardly tolerate a meat without discomfort (even minimal). It is therefore recommended to reduce consumption as much as possible (1 or 2 times per week) and choose meats that are not so “hard”; to get an idea: fish and chicken can be easily bucking often without a knife, instead a sirloin steak or a chop always cost us some work to cut it. Imagine how difficult it will be to break down and digest our stomach “hard” or very fatty meat. Alternative products may be meat soy meat or meat based amaranth, wheat protein or Chia.

Important: The skins of animals should not be consumed. 

BLOG: NATURAL PREPARATION FOR GASTRITIS

Allowable (with moderation) 

• chicken fillet
• fish fillet
• eggs 

Restricted (Occasional use) 

• pork fillet

Prohibited 

• Beef
• sausages
• Viscera
• Animal skins

High-fat meats such as: Cutlet, Costilla, T. Bone, Picaña, etc.

Dairy products: Dairy, including lactose-free or skimmed milk is not well tolerated, a person with gastritis feel heaviness and discomfort almost immediately after consuming cheese, yogurt, dish, butter or milk. Among the dairy; which is slightly better tolerated is lactose-free milk but still should be avoided. The alternatives in these foods are soy, almond, coconut or rice milks.

BLOG: NATURAL ALTERNATIVES FOR GASTRITIS 

Allowable (with moderation) 

• Lactose-free milk 
• tofu
• vegan yogurt (soy, coconut, almonds)

Restricted (Occasional use) 

• Ricotta cheese
• Lactose-free and low-fat yogurt

Prohibited

• Cheese (all kinds) 
• Delicacy 
• Whole or skimmed milk 
• Yogurt
• Butter

 CARBOHYDRATES

These nutrients are not observed greater discomfort in consumption (except when it contains a lot of bread yeast or preservatives). What is important in this food group is the amount consumed of them, later you will find the proportions that must have a common dish.

Rice, noodles, potatoes, bananas: they are generally well tolerated, should be consumed in adequate amounts and caring cooking times.

BLOG: CANCER AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH GASTRITIS.

Allowable 

• Rice
• Pasta
• Potato
• Sweet potato
• Etc

Restricted (Occasional use) 

• Bread
• Cookies and cakes
• Cereals (such as granola, wheat germ, oatmeal, corn flakes, etc.) 

Prohibited 

• Pastries or cakes
• Candy or sweets in general 

FATS

Fats are an important part of a healthy diet, a person with gastritis should not stop using them, however consumption should be moderate. 

 TESTIMONY OF A PERSON WITH GASTRITIS. WHAT TO DO? 

Permitted 

• Olive oil, corn, sunflower 

Restricted (Occasional use) 

• Margarine 

Prohibited

• Lard 
• Vegetable shortening 
• Foods high in fat (eg. Mayonnaise) 

MICRONUTRIENTS

These provide essential elements for the proper functioning of our body. Most of these are found in fruits, vegetables and legumes.

FRUITS: Natural always be better tolerated than canned or pulps, why a patient with gastritis must consume fresh. With this food, I suggest to patients to make tolerance tests, because although many health professionals is true prohibit citrus many people with gastritis tolerate them well.

BLOG: NATURAL PREPARATION FOR HEARTBURN

Allowable 

• Banana 
• Apple
• Pear
• Papaya
• Cantaloupe 
• Grape
• peach
• Coconut
• Tamarillo
• Strawberry
• Blackberry 
• Nuts

Restricted (Tolerance test) 

• Cherries
• Orange
• Tangerine 
• Lime 
• Kiwy
• Pineapple
• Kukuch

Prohibited 

• Lemon

VEGETABLES: In a person with gastritis, it is recommended to consume fresh vegetables uncooked or steamed to retain their nutrients and make them more digestible. Be careful to avoid those causing gases.

BLOG: A PRODUCT FOR DIGESTIVE DISCOMFORT

Permitted 

• Peppers
• Onions (all varieties) 
• Celery
• Eggplant 
• Pumpkin
• Arugula
• Vainite
• Carrot 
• Cucumber
• Basil
• Spinach
• Coriander
• Parsley 

Restricted

• Tomatoes 
• Lettuce
• sweet corn

Prohibited (Cause gas) 

• Broccoli 
• Cauliflower 
• Asparagus 
• Cabbage 
• Radishes
• Chili pepper

LEGUMES They are good source of protein, but their digestion is difficult, so people with gastritis should limit their consumption more overnight.

Restricted (Occasional use)

• Bean
• Broad beans
• Peas
• Lentil
• Nickname
• Chickpea

CONDIMENTS AND SWEETENERS

It is not necessary that a person with gastritis completely restrict the consumption of condiments. We should eat dishes that are pleasing to the palate to make more bearable the disease.

Seasonings like cumin, pepper, garlic, turmeric, oregano, annatto, rosemary, laurel and others are accepted as long as they are consumed in moderation, using appropriate amounts that give flavor to food without them losing their qualities. 

As for the sweeteners like sugar, brown sugar, honey, among others consumption should be moderate. Sweets (candies, chocolates, etc) are prohibited.

PROCESSED FOODS

Care should be taken to consume natural foods, always better fruit juice homemade with fresh fruit, a juice packaged with preservatives. 

Processed foods should be eaten occasionally, as these have chemicals and manufacturing processes that alter its composition, which may become irritating to the sensitive stomach. 

Soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, coffee, snacks, cookies or filling, pastries and others are prohibited. 

FOOD PREPARATION

As you have read there are many foods that are well tolerated, however it is very important how to prepare them, to maintain tolerance and promote digestion.

Vegetables should be consumed raw preference (well washed). Where necessary cooking prepare steamed choose to not lose their nutrients and characteristics and thus make them more digestible.

I recommend eating meats are fish and chicken, the best way to prepare is grilled, broiled, steamed or boiled, spicing avoiding too much or use too much salt.

Fruits, eat them directly, avoid juices or smoothies, as well as better use nutrients, and avoid excessive consumption of sugar. A patient with gastritis should choose to drink water instead of juice. Fruit is an excellent choice for dessert after lunch.

Fats, avoid fried. It is important to consume fats in the diet, they can be added to a salad, or rice before serving. 

PORTIONS

If a healthy person should consume lots according to your needs, a patient with gastritis should be very careful in consuming quantities because eating large amounts of food impairs digestion generates heaviness and fullness.

For proper idea how much should be consumed for each nutrient, imagine a plate lying, divide it in half and left half of the split again into two (see figure 1)

Half of the right (the largest) contain vegetable (eg. A salad), the lower left half are carbohydrates (eg. Rice) and the upper left half is for the protein (eg, meat or lentils). 

The amount of soup that we consume will be up to 250 ml or cup. 

FREQUENCY OF CONSUMPTION

Although throughout our lives we have been taught that there are three daily meals, the right thing is to eat foods 5 times a day. People with gastritis necessarily should consume at least 5 meals a day: breakfast, mid-morning (10:00 AM), lunch, afternoon (4:00 PM) and dinner. Meals midmorning and midafternoon should be light and healthy, fruits or vegetables are a good choice, aromatic waters, teas (caffeine), some crackers, etc.This is very important for two reasons: first with these between meals is avoided arrive at lunch or dinner with much appetite thus avoiding consuming too large portions or eating too fast; and second, the stomach does not remain idle for prolonged periods which helps to regulate the metabolism and the release mechanism of gastric juices.  

WATER CONSUMPTION

Water is an essential element for proper digestion. A patient with gastritis should drink water frequently, as well as collaborating with digestive processes helps dilute stomach acid, preventing this from causing further irritation and damage. When a patient feels burning should immediately take water (the environment) as this will help reduce inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

HYGIENE AND GOOD HABITS

● Food must be prepared following the rules of hygiene; well washed fruits and vegetables, cook meats and carbohydrates well. Always wash hands and utensils before cooking, use different cutting boards (one for fruits and vegetables and other meat and derivatives).

● Lying down after two hours of eating. 

● Having a set schedule for each meal. 

● Eat light food in the evening (dinner).

● Not eat dinner late at night, because you should spend at least 2 hours before bedtime to avoid any discomfort.

● Avoid smoking, alcohol, coffee, irritating foods.

● If you also have reflux, use a special pillow or raise the head of the bed 25 cm.

● Eat slowly, chewing each bite of food. 

● Do some sport at least 30 minutes a day. 

● For patients whose gastritis is derived from the stress, I suggest performing relaxation techniques or meditation. 

A nice and nutritious food possible, do not need to deprive yourself completely of the things we like, however it should be measured with meals. I fully understand the position of a patient with gastritis because by having suffered I know it is a restrictive and frustrating disease. As a final tip I can tell you to be patient, not depressed and that any treatment they undergo execute it with faith and conviction; often the cure also comes from within us.

Sending a blessing and my wishes for good health to you that the trouble to read these lines take. 

Note: This document is a guide to food, is not the absolute truth because each person is a different world and often must prove tolerance.

BLOG: TO TAKE A GLASS OF MILK IS THE BEST FOR THE GASTRITIS?

Dr. Rod C.

Master Degree in Nutrition

7-72-216