Dietary management of Gastroparesis

Modifiying diet for gastroparesis can reduce the symptoms, maintain adequate nutrition, reduce unnecessary food restriction and regain your quality of life. Nutrition goals are to stay hydrated and provide calories, protein and essential vitamins and minerals. How to eat to manage gastroparesis:

• Small meals will help your stomach to empty faster. Aim for 4 to 6 small meals per day.
• Make the most of each meal and choose foods high in calories and protein– you may need to think of ‘healthy food’ a bit differently.
• Have drinks at least 30 minutes before or after eating and avoid soft drink or other gassy drinks.
• You may need to cook foods well so they are soft and easy to chew and digest.
• Foods high in soluble fibre and soluble fibre supplements can be useful in gastroparesis, especially if you have diabetes or high blood glucose levels.
• Stay upright for 1 to 2 hours after eating (sitting or moving gently).
• Chew foods well, especially meats. This helps enzymes to start digesting food.

You may need to limit some foods that can slow down gastric emptying. These include some very high fibre foods, high fat foods (e.g. fried foods, bakery items, fatty meats), alcohol and sugary drinks.

What if you can’t eat?

• If you are still finding it difficult to eat, you may need to try soft or pureed foods or a liquid diet for some meals of the day, depending when your symptoms occur. Discuss this with your dietitian.
• High fat liquids (e.g. full cream milk, supplements, yoghurt, oils) may ‘go down’ better than food.
• If your appetite is low, make the most of each mouthful with foods high in calories and protein.

For personalised dietary advice for gastroparesis book an appointment with our specialist dietitians at Help Yourself.