Maybe you are like me, and get gastritis quite often. In this articles I included foods that serve to relieve or prevent the worsening of gastritis symptoms, especially pain. Such foods must be included in the diet as they help to protect the gastric mucosa (stomach wall), facilitate the healing of wounds that may already exist, prevent the worsening of these injuries and favor the proper functioning of the stomach.
Breads
The bread protects the stomach lining and acts like a sponge, absorbing some of the gastric juice that could aggravate gastritis symptoms.
Fruits
Those who have gastritis should eat between 2 and 4 fruits a day. Apple, banana, pear, papaya, and melon are among the most suitable. Acidic fruits like orange, pineapple, kiwi, strawberry, and lemon can irritate the stomach wall, depending on each one’s tolerance.
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Lean meat
The most suitable protein in the diet of people diagnosed with gastritis should always be lean meat. Lower fat content and prepared roasted, boiled, or grilled. Chicken should be eaten without the skin.
Ginger
Ginger has anti-inflammatory action, thus reducing symptoms, such as pain, burning, and nausea. Also, it has antiseptic and bactericidal properties that help in the elimination and control of Helicobacter pylori.
For this, ginger must be eaten raw. Just cut a 2 cm piece of ginger, peel and chew it pure or mix it in the food. If you prefer, you can opt for ginger tea.
Potato
Raw potato juice helps to protect the stomach from gastritis symptoms, decreasing acidity, burning, pain, and heartburn. The juice can be obtained by squeezing a large grated potato with a cloth or against a very fine strainer. Remembering that the juice must be drunk pure.
The gastritis diet should also be rich in fluids (water and juices), and always remember that all food should be eaten in moderation. Nothing in excess is good for our body.
Recommendations for those with gastritis
- Eat several times a day and with small portions of food. It is recommended to have 5 to 6 meals a day (breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, supper) and not to fast for more than 3 hours.
- Eat calmly, it is important to eat slowly, in quiet environments, and chew your food well, avoiding drinking during meals.
- Avoid foods that irritate the stomach, such as fried foods, spices, condiments, ketchup, mustard, beans, legumes, broccoli, cabbage, fatty meats, fats, carbonated, and alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid stress; another factor that must be controlled to reduce gastritis attacks.
- Avoid excessive use of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs or self-medicate, as it is another very common cause of gastritis in our population.
What is the treatment for gastritis?
In addition to the diet, gastritis treatment includes the use of medications that decrease the amount of stomach acid. Among the drugs used to treat gastritis are:
- Antacids
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Antibiotics (in the presence of H. Pylori)
The type of medication used depends on the medical evaluation of each case. In case gastritis is caused by the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, its use should be suspended, and a new treatment proposal should be evaluated.
It is also important to treat H. pylori infection, due to the risk of causing stomach ulcers or cancer. Treatment of the infection is usually done with antibiotic drugs and proton pump inhibitors.
To prevent H. pylori bacteria infection, it is recommended to wash your hands frequently and eat well-cooked food. The bacteria can be transmitted by contaminated water or food.
The gastroenterologist is responsible for treating and clarifying any doubts about gastritis, in addition to guiding the most appropriate diet.
