Foods to Avoid in Gastritis

Gastritis (acid reflux) is a condition when different irritants, from foods to medications to the presence of bacteria, inflame the stomach lining, to cause gas and discomfort.

According to Mayo Clinic, dietary and lifestyle changes can easily help treat gastritis. Previously, doctors thought that a bland diet could help ease gastritis but research shows instead a customised diet based on which foods do and do not cause irritation ease discomfort of gastritis patients.

[Read: Tips to Prevent Gastritis]

Fatty Foods

Fatty foods have tendency to trigger stomach-lining inflammation. Abstain from foods that contain trans-fatty acids such as onion rings, fried eggs, fried pies, fried chicken, potato chips, white bread, pasta and breaded seafood. Besides irritating sensitive stomach lining, fatty foods may elevate blood pressure or lead to obesity and heart disease. Avoid foods high in trans-fatty acids; these include cakes, cookies and doughnuts. According to University of Maryland Medical Center report, gastritis patients must avoid refined foods that contain sugar in addition to trans fats.

Spicy Foods

Spicy foods may exacerbate gastritis symptoms. Food preparations with hot pepper, mustard and hot sauce may cause acid reflux to lead to gastritis or worsen it further. Spicy foods are more likely to attack weak stomach linings that are already damaged by gastritis.

Raw Vegetables

When you are dealing with chronic gastritis episodes, it is advisable to avoid raw vegetables. For many onions and garlic may cause burning and pain, while tomatoes may trigger gastritis episodes for others. Those suffering from gastritis can eat vegetables but ensure that these are cooked or cut up in small pieces so as to make it easily digestible. Moreover, health experts recommend gastritis patients to chew food well before swallowing for avoiding stomach-lining irritation.

[Read: Treatment of Gastritis]

Beverages

All alcoholic beverages and others that are high in fat are acknowledged to be a major contributor to the development of gastritis. When experiencing gastritis flare-ups, all alcoholic beverages should be avoided. Drinks that can irritate a sensitive stomach include carbonated beverages and citrus fruit juices. Coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, should also be avoided because of the gas and acid they create. Carbonated drinks should also be avoided.

Trial and error approach is ideal when it comes to what foods to eat and what to avoid. When you know the reason of flare-ups, you can avoid it in future. Moreover, eating at regular intervals can also help with acid indigestion. You can for once divide meals into six smaller ones and see if your flare-ups reduced.

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