Gastritis Diet: Foods and Drinks You Should Avoid for a Healthier Stomach

Gastritis Diet: Foods and Drinks You Should Avoid for a Healthier Stomach

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
27 January, 2025

We all know how important our stomach is- it is the main organ that produces incredibly powerful acid which breaks down food and then this goes into the gut for eventual absorption, so that nutrients can reach all the cells of the body via blood. The stomach is a bag-like organ which can hold anywhere between 1.5-4.5 litres of food content in it. The size changes as we grow from childhood to adulthood- after which the size is pretty constant, if you eat meals regularly and at the same time everyday. Since there is so much acid inside, the stomach needs to protect itself well. This is done by mucus and a thick cellular lining, which sheds often but is also replenished with equal urgency. Gastritis is caused when this lining gets disrupted- allowing the acid to come in contact with more sensitive stomach tissue- which causes the typical burning, along with an overactive immune system which causes inflammation where the lining is very thin or destroyed.

Types Of Gastritis And Possible Triggers

There are different kinds of gastritis too- acute or chronic, non-erosive vs. erosive- where the stomach lining does not get eroded, or it does due to the influence of stomach acid, bile, alcohol or other acidic substances. Gastritis affects almost 3 individuals out of 870 in India every year and the numbers continue to rise with each passing year. Diet is the most important factor, with stress levels coming in a close second, for severity of symptoms. When we talk about managing gastritis with dietary choices, we are talking about eliminating possible triggers- like alcohol, infectious agents, drugs, stress and even auto-immune disease, respectively.

Worst Foods And Drinks For Gastritis Symptoms

Let us look at a list of the worst offenders- foods that trigger stomach inflammation in gastritis, below-

• It may be an infection due to Helicobacter pylori – a bacterium that causes gastric ulcers. It is very rare but not impossible for fungal pathogens to cause similar symptoms. 
• Spices like red chilli, green chilli and black pepper, along with certain spices that have heat in them can cause issues. You will need to eat citrus fruits in limited amounts, even if you love them.
• Eating heavy meals right before bedtime can exacerbate symptoms, so make sure your meals are not oily, spicy and not too heavy. 
• If you love your flavouring condiments- then beware. Sauces are mostly a mix of weak acids and other flavouring agents, which are not great for you.
• Alcohol induced gastritis happens when you drink too much- they can literally cause the stomach lining to get eroded, causing pain. 
• Consumption of certain prescribed drugs can also increase your chances of suffering from gastritis- like NSAIDs, antibiotics, pain medications etc.
• Chronic gastritis is caused due to inflammation that persists for long periods of time, but this is rare.
• If you have been diagnosed with cancer and have undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy- then you are at higher risk than usual.
• Not consuming probiotics and fermented foods is a bad idea.

Conclusion

Making lifestyle changes is as important as designing tummy friendly meals. This means your foods may not be as spicy as before, but fresh produce and low amounts of seasonings can literally help save you from these painful or annoying symptoms. Plus, the gut is closely linked to the brain via an extensive neural network- which means stress can affect it big time and worsen symptoms. So, drink plenty of water, try to destress everyday by doing something you enjoy and eat mild foods for the most part- and you will be fine. Talk to your doctor if you identify any new triggers or if medications or routine changes are not working as well as expected.

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