Eating easily digestible foods like eggs, smooth peanut butter, and bananas may help prevent symptoms of gastroparesis. But certain foods, particularly those high in fiber and fat, can take longer to digest.

Gastroparesis is a condition in which your stomach empties into your small intestine more slowly than it should.

Triggers may include an illness or a chronic condition, such as diabetes or lupus. Symptoms may be mild or severe and usually include:

  • vomiting
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • heartburn

Treatment for gastroparesis will depend on the severity of your symptoms but may include a combination of dietary changes, medications, and, in severe cases, surgery.

Dietary changes are most often the first method of treatment.

Keep reading to learn more about what foods to eat and avoid if you have gastroparesis, as well as dietary tips and recipe ideas.

The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders recommends the following tips to help you manage gastroparesis:

  • Avoid high fiber foods: Foods high in fiber, specifically insoluble fiber, may delay gastric emptying. Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve in water in the stomach, which can bulk up stools and make it harder to digest.
  • Eat smaller meals: Eating smaller meals 4 to 6 times per day can help your stomach digest foods more effectively.
  • Avoid high fat foods: Foods high in fat typically take more time to digest, which can delay gastric emptying.

A doctor may also recommend a liquid diet and eating soft, well-cooked foods to help promote gastric emptying and nutrient absorption.

Other dietary tips to help ease gastroparesis symptoms include:

  • eating foods low in salt
  • avoiding hard, chewy foods
  • chewing your food well before swallowing it
  • eating nutritious foods first to avoid becoming full from foods that don’t fuel your body
  • drinking plenty of water throughout the day
  • walking after eating to promote digestion

It’s best to avoid alcohol (if you drink), as it may delay gastric emptying and dehydrate you further.

If you have gastroparesis, it’s important to focus on getting the nutrition you need while eating small, frequent meals that are low in fat and easy to digest.

The most important foods in this kind of diet include high protein foods and easy-to-digest vegetables.

Here’s a list of suggested foods that may help keep your gastroparesis in check:

Protein

Carbohydrates

  • white breads
  • low fiber or refined cereals
  • low fat crackers

Fruits and vegetables (canned, peeled, cooked, or pureed)

Beverages

If you have gastroparesis symptoms, it’s important to be aware of what foods to avoid.

As a general rule, it’s best to avoid foods high in fat, fiber, or salt.

Here’s a list of foods that might make your gastroparesis discomfort worse:

If you’re recovering from a gastroparesis flare-up, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation recommends reintroducing solid foods in three phases.

The three phases are as follows:

  • First phase: You’re limited mostly to broth or bouillon soups, as well as blended vegetable juice.
  • Second phase: Work up to soups with crackers and noodles, as well as cheese and creamy peanut butter.
  • Third phase: Eat most soft, easy-to-chew starches, as well as softer protein sources like poultry and fish.

During all phases of this recovery diet, it’s important to avoid red meat and high fiber vegetables because they take longer to digest.

Taking a multivitamin supplement may also help you get the nutrition you need, especially if you experience unintentional weight loss.

Your food options might feel limited when you have gastroparesis, but you can still enjoy some delicious recipes.

Here’s a 1-day meal plan to try if you have gastroparesis:

Breakfast

  • 2 eggs, scrambled
  • 1 slice of white toast
  • 1/2 cup orange juice

Lunch

  • 3.5-ounce salmon, baked
  • salad with lettuce, cucumber (peeled), tomato, onion, and low fat dressing

Dinner

  • 3.5-ounce chicken breast, baked
  • 1/2 cup potatoes, mashed with low fat butter
  • 1 cup carrots, baked

Snacks

Eating one of the following snacks between each meal could help keep you full and promote gastric emptying:

If you’re unsure about what foods are best for you, speak with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian (if you have access to one). They could help develop a dietary plan for you.

What foods help fix gastroparesis?

No foods can cure gastroparesis. However, avoiding foods high in fat, fiber, and salt could help you manage and prevent symptoms.

What aggravates gastroparesis?

Foods high in fiber, fat, and salt, as well as carbonated beverages and alcohol, may aggravate or worsen gastroparesis.

Do you poop normally with gastroparesis?

A 2020 study found that 1 in 3 participants with gastroparesis experienced constipation. One possible reason is that participants probably consume less fiber when they have gastroparesis. The severity of constipation was also associated with the severity of other symptoms, but gastroparesis itself doesn’t slow down bowel movements.

Gastroparesis is a condition that’s usually chronic, but it can be temporary in some cases.

No matter what the cause or duration of your gastroparesis, eating small meals and limiting your fiber and fat intake can help digestion.

Different people with different diagnoses can tolerate certain food items better than others. Always speak with a doctor or dietitian about your individual nutritional needs while treating gastroparesis.