The goal of the gastroparesis diet is to reduce painful digestive symptoms while making sure that the person stays hydrated and gets enough food. Diet is a critical factor in improving gastroparesis symptoms. Aside from understanding what to eat and what to avoid, its critical to make dietary modifications.
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed stomach emptying, is a condition in which your stomach muscles don’t work right. This inhibits your stomach from fully emptying.
Gastroparesis can cause nausea and vomiting, as well as disruptions in blood sugar levels and nutrition. Working with a dietitian can assist you in determining the healthiest things to consume while suffering from gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a disorder that affects the normal spontaneous movement of the muscles (motility) in your stomach. People with gastroparesis may experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, feeling full shortly after starting a meal, and bloating. When you have gastroparesis, your stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine.
Since digestion is slower in gastroparesis, being mindful of what you eat can help minimize discomfort and nutritional deficits. Understanding gastroparesis dietary guidelines can improve symptoms and ensure adequate nutrient intake. So can you eat shrimp with gastroparesis? Let’s find out.
Can You Eat Shrimp If You Have Gastroparesis?
Shrimp is one type of seafood that is usually well-tolerated when you have gastroparesis Here’s why shrimp is a good choice
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Low in fat Shrimp is low in fat, with only 1 gram of fat per 3-ounce serving. Choosing low-fat foods can help with gastric emptying.
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High in protein: A 3-ounce serving of shrimp provides about 21 grams of protein. Getting adequate protein is important with gastroparesis to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
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Soft, easy to chew: Shrimp has a soft, easy to chew texture that requires little chewing before swallowing. This makes it easier on your digestive system.
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Low in fiber: Shrimp contain almost no fiber. Limiting high fiber foods can minimize gastroparesis symptoms.
So in moderation, shrimp can be a great source of protein and nutrients when you have delayed stomach emptying. Some tips for eating shrimp with gastroparesis:
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Opt for smaller shrimp, which are easier to chew and digest. Avoid large shrimp with tails on.
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Peel shrimp to remove the shell, which can be hard to break down.
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Cook shrimp thoroughly until just opaque in color. Undercooked shrimp is harder to digest.
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Don’t coat or fry shrimp, which increases fat content. Instead, grill, bake or steam.
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Eat only small portions of 4-6 ounces of shrimp at a meal. Larger portions increase stomach fullness.
Gastroparesis Diet Guidelines
While shrimp is one seafood option you can likely enjoy in moderation with gastroparesis, following some general diet tips can further help minimize your symptoms:
Focus on Low-Fat Foods
Fat naturally slows down stomach emptying. Limiting high-fat foods like fried items, fatty cuts of meat, whole milk dairy and avocados can promote gastric emptying.
Choose Low Fiber
Fiber adds bulk and can delay stomach emptying. Limit high fiber grains, raw fruits and vegetables, beans and nuts.
Pick Softer, Well-Cooked Foods
Hard, dry foods take longer to break down. Opt for soft, moist foods like creamy peanut butter, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and well-cooked vegetables.
Stay Upright After Eating
Lying down right after eating makes digestion more difficult. Stay upright for at least 1-2 hours after finishing a meal.
Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Eating smaller portions 5-6 times per day can ease digestion. Large volumes of food overfill the stomach.
Chew Foods Thoroughly
Take time to chew each bite to applesauce consistency. Well-chewed foods are easier for your stomach to break down.
Stay Hydrated
Getting enough fluids prevents dehydration that can worsen nausea and vomiting. Sip liquids between meals so as not to fill up.
Add Nutrient-Dense Foods
Boost calories and protein with smoothies, liquid supplements, protein powders and nutrient-rich ingredients.
Avoid Raw Fruits and Vegetables
The skin, seeds and pulp found in raw fruits and veggies are hard to digest. Cook or puree fruits and vegetables instead.
By following these diet tips in addition to being mindful of appropriate portion sizes of shrimp, you can help manage gastroparesis symptoms. Work with a dietitian to create a meal plan tailored to your needs and tolerances.
Sample Menu for Gastroparesis
Here is a sample gastroparesis-friendly menu that incorporates shrimp:
Breakfast:
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1 scrambled egg
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1 slice white toast with 1 tsp butter
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1⁄2 cup applesauce
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1 cup decaf tea
Lunch:
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Tossed salad – 2 cups chopped lettuce, 1⁄4 cup shredded carrots, 2 tbsp light dressing
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5-6 steamed shrimp
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1⁄2 cup cooked white rice
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1⁄2 cup fruit juice
Snack:
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1⁄2 cup low-fat yogurt
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3 crackers
Dinner:
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3 oz baked chicken breast
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1⁄2 cup mashed potatoes
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1⁄2 cup cooked green beans
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1⁄2 cup full-fat milk
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1⁄2 cup Italian ice
Snack:
- 1 slice white toast with 1 tbsp peanut butter
This sample menu incorporates several low-fat, low-fiber, and easy to digest options like eggs, white rice, yogurt and cream-based soups. The shrimp at lunch provides lean protein. Staying hydrated with beverages like juice, tea and milk is also important.
Lifestyle Tips for Managing Gastroparesis
In addition to diet, other lifestyle changes can help minimize discomfort with gastroparesis:
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Take medications as prescribed: Medications like metoclopramide (Reglan) and erythromycin can help stimulate gastric emptying.
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Don’t smoke: Smoking worsens gastroparesis symptoms.
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Control blood sugar: High blood glucose levels impair stomach emptying. Keep blood sugar in target ranges.
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Limit stress: Anxiety and emotional stress can increase gastroparesis symptoms. Try relaxation techniques.
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Increase physical activity: Light exercise, like walking, can aid digestion. But intense exercise may worsen symptoms, so moderation is key.
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Use ginger: Ginger tea or supplements may help reduce nausea and support motility.
Making dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and taking prescribed medications can help you find an approach to managing gastroparesis that works for you. Be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider regularly to monitor your condition. With the right treatment plan, you can still enjoy shrimp and a variety of nourishing foods even with delayed stomach emptying.
5 recommended foods to eat as per dieticians for people with gastroparesis
Softer meals are better because they are simpler to digest and place less strain on the digestive system.
- Fruits and vegetables: in smoothies and purees; peaches and pears in a can; fruits and vegetables that are well-cooked; juices and soups.
- Carbs and starches: English muffins, corn tortillas, puffed wheat, plain or sweet potatoes (no skin), white or whole wheat bread, crackers, bagels, pasta, and rice.
- Fiber: Watch how much fiber you eat because it can make you constipated and bloated even though your intestines need it for health. Consuming low-fiber meals is thus suggested.
- Dairy, eggs, and meat: low-fat cottage cheese, custard eggs, ground or pureed meats, plain yogurt and frozen yogurt, chicken without the skin, shellfish, tofu, and tuna.
- A person with gastroparesis can eat coconut oil as part of their diet because it has healthy medium-chain fatty acids that help digestion and probiotic flora in the intestines.
3 steps recommended as people progress in gastroparesis condition
Three important steps that are recommended as people progress in gastroparesis condition include:
| Criteria |
Step 1 Electrolyte solution and bouillon |
Step 2 Soups |
Step 3 Starches, chicken, and fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition of different steps |
Consists of liquids that normally exit the stomach fast due to gravity Liquids keep the body hydrated and are supplied with essential salts and minerals except for salt and potassium |
Add calories by consuming a little quantity of dietary fat no more than 40 grams each day Fatty meals and oils should be avoided by people with gastroparesis because they impede stomach emptying People at the Step 2 level are frequently able to handle this quantity |
Because many plant fibers cannot be digested, fat is limited to 50 grams per day, and fibrous meals are restricted |
| Recommended diet |
To prevent dehydration, people with severe nausea and vomiting can sip a moderate amount of electrolytes Any liquid that will be consumed should have some calorie content A multivitamin supplement is recommended |
The diet can be advanced to include soups with noodles or rice, as well as crackers These foods should be consumed in at least six separate meals each day A multivitamin should be recommended |
Noodles, spaghetti, potatoes, and rice are readily tolerated because they are quickly combined and emptied by the stomach Soups, mashed or baked potatoes, spaghetti dishes, rice, baked chicken breast, and fish are all well-digested carbohydrate and protein sources These solids should be consumed in six small meals each day, along with one vitamin pill per day |
| Goal for people | To ingest 1,000 to 1,500 cc per day in multiple servings | To ingest approximately 1,500 calories per day | Find a diet of common foods that the person finds interesting and satisfying and that evokes minimal nausea/vomiting symptoms |
| Avoid | Citrus drinks of all kinds and highly sweetened drinks. Replace them with any tea | Limit and progress eventually if people cannot meet goals |
Fatty foods, which delay gastric emptying, and red meats and fresh vegetables, which require considerable nutrition Avoid pulpy fibrous foods that promote the formation of bezoars |
Gastroparesis Diet Guidelines
FAQ
Can you eat seafood with gastroparesis?
Can you eat shrimp with gastritis?
Can I eat salads with gastroparesis?
Which of these foods is not recommended for patients with gastroparesis?
Can you eat soup if you have gastroparesis?
Avoid any dairy products made with full-fat or 2% milk. And stay away from products that use whipping cream (even the light version) or half-and-half. The best soups for a healthy gastroparesis diet are made with broth or low-fat dairy products. Avoid soups that use full-fat milk, cream or cheese.
Can gastroparesis patient eat chicken?
As long as the chicken are in small portions and prepared with low fat ingredients, patients with gastroparesis is allowed to eat this ingredient. Since gastroparesis patient has trouble emptying their stomach after a meal, they must be extra diligent in avoiding large meals and certain high fat and high fibre ingredients to avoid discomfort after eating. Chicken is rich in protein and low in fat, and therefore is allowed for gastroparesis patients.
Should you follow a gastroparesis diet?
Following a gastroparesis diet may also help you avoid medications and other treatments for the condition that may be associated with side effects. The exact science behind the gastroparesis diet isn’t completely understood, but research shows specific types of foods can aggravate gastroparesis symptoms.
Can you eat soft foods if you have gastroparesis?
You don’t have to give up fruits and vegetables, but you may need to avoid: Meals are more likely to be digested more comfortably if they’re soft. You have a lot of choices among the softer foods commonly recommended for a gastroparesis diet.