Gastroparesis Diet: What to Eat, Drink, And What To Avoid

Gastroparesis is a chronic condition where food passes through your stomach and into your small intestine slower than normal. Medically this is referred to as delayed gastric emptying. It might not sound like a big deal, but slow-moving food can impact your overall health. 

Someone with gastroparesis may feel full quickly, even if they’ve just started eating.

It can then take hours for the desire to eat to return. Additionally, many people experience nausea and can find it hard to feel excited about food. 

It can be challenging to get nutrition while experiencing these symptoms, and working with a dietitian can be beneficial.

‍Gastroparesis caused by a viral infection may resolve once you’ve healed, but gastroparesis caused by diabetes is usually a long-term condition. 

Keep reading to learn how to make small dietary changes that can improve the symptoms associated with gastroparesis. 

{{splash}}

What Is the Gastroparesis Diet? 

There are three phases of a gastroparesis diet. You should start at phase one to allow your digestive system to heal, and move on to the next step when your symptoms start to improve.

• Phase 1 - Liquid diet. Only consume liquids for one to three days; if symptoms persist, follow up with your doctor. 
• Phase 2 - Soft foods. Consume soft and easy-to-break-down foods, such as cooked white pasta noodles. Slowly increase fiber, but keep fat intake below 40g daily. 
• Phase 3 - Maintenance phase. Gradually work towards your regular food intake by slowly adding more fiber and variety. If your symptoms worsen, go back to phase two. 

A Low-Fat, Low-Fiber Diet May Help 

High-fat foods are energy dense and can take longer to digest than other nutrients. High-fiber foods may also require more time. 

It’s recommended to decrease your intake of these nutrients to help you feel more comfortable after eating.

You can make these adjustments under the guidance of a dietitian to ensure you’re still satisfying your daily nutritional requirements.

Gastroparesis Diet Plan 

Here are sample meal plans you can follow for each phase.

Pay attention to how your body responds and track the severity of your symptoms. 

Phase 1 recommends liquids only.

Liquids quickly pass through the stomach and digestive system and nutrients can be easily absorbed.

‍You will not meet all your nutrient requirements in this stage, and should only be followed until nausea and vomiting subside (one to three days max). 

Phase 1 - Liquids Only 

Food to include: 

• Fruit Juices.
• Fat-free soups.
• Plain white crackers. 
• Plain tea, water.  

Foods To Limit: 

• Fresh whole fruits. 
• Creamy soups, hearty soups with tough vegetables such as celery or cabbage. 
• Whole grain crackers, fried crackers. 
• Dairy beverages (lactose can be irritating, and the fat content can be too high). 
• Baked goods, pastry items, chocolates. 
• Meat products, nuts, seeds, nut butter. 
• All vegetables. 

{{local}}

Phase 2 - Liquids and soft foods 

Phase 2 includes soft foods and small amounts of fiber. Slowly introduce more foods into the diet as long as your symptoms improve. If vomiting resumes, start back at phase 1 and consult your doctor. 

Day 1

• Breakfast: one or two scrambled eggs, ½ cup canned apricots in water, one slice of white bread.
• Snack: ½ meal replacement bottle. 
• Lunch: one or two slices of white bread, one tablespoon of smooth peanut butter, ½ cup canned peaches in water.
• Snack: ½ cup zero-fat cottage cheese with ½ cup cooked fruit puree. 
• Dinner: one cup elbow noodles, one teaspoon of margarine, ½ cup pureed cooked red peppers, two tablespoons smooth tomato sauce. 

Day 2

• Breakfast: Smoothie with ¼ cup unflavoured Greek yogurt, ½ banana, and ½ cup of fruit juice.
• Snack: ½ meal replacement bottle. 
• Lunch: ½ cup turkey soup with cooked vegetables. Combine ¾ cup zero-fat unflavored yogurt with ½ cup unsweetened applesauce. 
• Snack: one slice of white bread with one teaspoon of light mayonnaise.
• Dinner: ½ cup boiled cauliflower, ½ cup mashed carrot, three ounce fish filet, one teaspoon of margarine.

Day 3

• Breakfast: four to six saltine crackers, ½ cup zero fat cottage cheese, ½ cup mandarin oranges in water. 
• Snack: ½ meal replacement bottle. 
• Lunch: ½ chicken noodle soup, ½ cup zero fat unflavored yogurt, ½ cup canned peas in water. 
• Snack: one slice of white bread with one teaspoon of honey. 
• Dinner: ½ cup mashed sweet potato, one teaspoon fat-free sour cream, ½ cup boiled beets, two scrambled eggs, ½ cup of canned peaches in water. 

Phase 3 - Maintenance 

Many of the rules from Phase 2 still apply to Phase 3. You should gradually increase the fiber and fat intake; however, full-fat dairy products and fried foods should still be avoided. 

Day 1

• Breakfast: one to two slices of white bread, one tablespoon of peanut butter, ½ banana sliced. 
• Snack: ½ meal replacement bottle. 
• Lunch: ½ cup white rice, ½ cup extra lean ground beef, one teaspoon sour cream, two teaspoon clear tomato sauce, ½ cup pureed red pepper. 
• Snack: ½ cup two percent plain Greek yogurt, one teaspoon of honey.
• Dinner: three ounce serving of chicken, one teaspoon of olive oil, ½ cup sweet potato, ½ cup baked eggplant, two tablespoon smooth tomato sauce. 

Day 2

• Breakfast: Smoothie with two percent plain Greek yogurt, one fresh skinless peach, ½ cup fruit juice.  
• Snack: ½ cup two percent cottage cheese, ½ cup diced apple (peeled). 
• Lunch: four to six saltine crackers, ½ can of tuna in water, one teaspoon low-fat mayonnaise, ½ cup boiled cauliflower with zero-fat dressing.
• Snack: ½ meal replacement.
• Dinner: two scrambled eggs, one slice of white bread, one teaspoon of margarine, ¾ cup vegetable soup. 

Day 3

• Breakfast: two scrambled eggs, one slice of white bread, one to two slices of low-fat cheddar cheese.
• Snack: ½ meal replacement bottle. 
• Lunch: ¾ cup clear vegetable broth, ½ cup ramen noodles, one boiled egg, ½ cup diced mangoes. 
• Snack: ½ cup two percent plain Greek yogurt, ½ cup diced watermelon. 
• Dinner: three ounce fish, one teaspoon of olive oil, ½ cup boiled squash, ½ cup zucchini and mushrooms, two teaspoon zero fat salad dressing. 

Is There A Gastroparesis Diet For People with Diabetes? 

Unfortunately, some of the recommendations for gastroparesis may not align with an eating plan that supports blood sugar control, such as eating white bread over whole grain options. 

You may have to try a few different meal combinations to find the right balance of foods that keep your digestive system happy and your blood sugars stable. Additionally, you may want to work with your healthcare team to adjust the timing of your glucose-lowering medications (if necessary.)

A registered dietitian can help you navigate these challenges. 

Simple Gastroparesis Diet Modifications 

Learning how to change your diet can be overwhelming. As you move through your journey, you will start to identify  the foods that make you feel best and which ones to avoid. Here are simple tips to help your symptoms: 

• Prioritize getting enough calories in your diet. You can do this by choosing high-calorie foods first at your meals. 
• Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
• Liquids can be better tolerated than whole foods. Use a meal replacement to help you meet your caloric goals. 
• Use a blender to liquify foods. 
• Boiling, roasting, and cooking down high-fiber vegetables can make them easier to tolerate. Certain veggies in the cruciferous family (broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts) may never work for you because they are tough to break down.  
• Chew foods well and take your time during eating. This ensures the food arriving in the stomach will be easier to digest. 

What Foods Should be Avoided with Gastroparesis? 

Here are examples of foods to avoid during the first two phases of the gastroparesis diet: 

• Raw fruits, including soft berries. 
• Legumes and pulses include chickpeas, kidney beans, and black beans. 
• Nuts and seeds. 
• Whole grains. 
• Popcorn. 
• Raw vegetables. 
• Popcorn and high-fiber crackers or cereals. 
• Fiber supplements including Metamucil or Benefiber. 
• Fried foods, including savory chips or sweet baked goods. 
• Meat with heavy marbling. 
• High-fat dairy products. 
• Alcoholic beverages. 
• Carbonated drinks. 

{{splash}}

Work With A Registered Dietitian 

A registered dietitian specializing in gastroparesis can help you build a personalized meal plan that helps you feel your best. 

Nourish has a team of highly trained registered dietitians that are available for remote appointments. They’re all compassionate, thoughtful providers who are also covered by insurance. 

Find a dietitian through Nourish today.