Many foods will not cause discomfort or irritation of gastritis. Photo Credit Healthy Food image by martin schmid from Fotolia.com
Gastritis can be painful and cause gastrointestinal dysfunction. An inflammation of the lining of the stomach, it may be the result of a number of different causes, including bacterial overgrowth, excessive alcohol consumption, a poor diet or the long-term use of certain medications. Dietary and lifestyle changes can significantly reduce inflammation and relieve the discomfort associated with gastritis.
Fruit
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Fruit contains essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, phytochemicals and antioxidants. If you have gastritis, you should consume two to four servings of fruit per day. Good choices include apples or apple juice, bananas, peaches, pears, applesauce and canned fruit, grapes, melon and kiwi. On average, servings are one medium piece of fresh fruit, 1/2 cup of canned fruit and 4ounces of fruit juice. You may need to avoid some types of fruit due to pain and irritation. These include orange and grapefruit juice, figs, berries and dried fruit.
Vegetables
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Vegetables are also rich in nutrients and will help you maintain a healthy weight. You should consume two to four servings of vegetables per day. Eating 1 cup of fresh vegetables, 1/2 cup of cooked vegetables, 4 ounces of vegetable juice or 2 cups of salad greens are excellent ways to increase vegetables in your diet. Some vegetables are gas producing and may cause discomfort. Try a variety of vegetables and determine which ones you should avoid. Vegetable juices, peppers, chilies, onion, garlic and tomato products tend to cause the most problems.
Gastritis Cure and Role of Diet
Vitamin C helps gastritis, but you may need to avoid acidic oranges.Photo Credit Visage/Stockbyte/Getty Images
The lining that covers the inside of your stomach contains cells that secrete acid and digestive enzymes. It also protects the stomach wall from the acidic environment. When the lining becomes inflamed, you have gastritis. While prescription medications are essential if bacteria are present, dietary changes can help with various types of gastritis. A bland diet relieves symptoms, probiotics may help treat the problem and vitamin C shows promise for possibly preventing the bacterial infection that causes some gastritis.
Bacteria and NSAIDs
The most common cause of chronic nonerosive gastritis is Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. These bacteria attach to the stomach lining and cause an infection, which produces inflammation. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, such as aspirin and ibuprofen can cause erosive gastritis, as can alcohol. In addition, traumatic injuries, critical illness and major surgery might result in stress gastritis. Many people with gastritis show no symptoms; others have abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea, vomiting, bleeding or other signs.
Bland Diet Can Relieve Symptoms
A bland diet won’t cure gastritis, but it can reduce symptoms by removing foods that are likely to irritate your stomach. NYU Langone Medical Center advises avoiding high-fat, spicy, fried and acidic foods, as well as caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Eat any type of grain, vegetable, lean meat, poultry, fish and eggs as long as it's not fried or prepared using fat. Limit dairy choices to low- or nonfat products. You might need to eliminate processed meats, such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs and luncheon meats. Include fruits in your menu, except tomatoes and citrus, due to their acidity. Avoid pepper, chili powder and vinegar.
Probiotics may help treat gastritis and improve symptoms. A study published in the January 2013 issue of “Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology” reported that patients who took a probiotic together with standard medical treatment of H. pylori experienced fewer symptoms compared with patients who only took prescription medications. The study also found that more bacteria were eradicated in patients using probiotics. NYU Langone Medical Center reports that the lactobacillus strain is associated with fighting this bacteria. Lactobacillus is often found in yogurt with active cultures, but talk to your doctor to be sure you’re getting the best probiotic and the right amount for your condition.
Vitamin C Supports Treatment
When therapeutic doses of vitamin C are taken together with standard prescription medications, significantly more H. pylori are killed, according to a research review published in the October 2012 issue of “Digestive Diseases and Sciences.” The review also reported that vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, plays an important role in healing the stomach lining. People who are susceptible to gastritis caused by H. pylori may be able to prevent future outbreaks by taking vitamin C, according to the November 2011 issue of the “Indian Journal of Pharmacology.” However, since citrus fruit may irritate gastritis, get extra vitamin C from supplements; consult your physician to determine the optimal dose.
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Dairy products are an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, making them necessary for a healthy diet. However, you should limit your intake of milk and other dairy foods to two to three servings per day. Additionally, you should select low-fat or fat-free varieties when possible. This will help control the production of stomach acid. Good sources of vitamin D and calcium are 1/2 cup of low-fat ice cream, 1 cup of low-fat yogurt, 2 ounces of cheese, 4 ounces of pudding, 2 eggs or 8 ounces of low-fat or skim milk.
Most meat, poultry and fish are well tolerated if you have gastritis. The best choices are lean, tender meats, skinless poultry, seafood, fish, shellfish, tofu and soybeans. You should eat two to four 3-ounce servings of these types of foods each day. Avoid fried, greasy or high-fat cuts and highly seasoned or spicy options. Typically, broiling, grilling or roasting are the best-tolerated cooking methods.
On average, you should consume between six and 10 servings of grains per day. Enriched bread and cereals, whole grain bread and crackers, oatmeal, rice, potatoes, barley, graham crackers, pasta, noodles and macaroni products are good examples of acceptable grains. A typical serving size is 1 slice of bread, 1/2 cup of rice, cooked cereal or pasta, 3/4 cup dry cereal or 6 crackers. Products that may cause you discomfort or irritation include coarse cereals and breads, seeds, potato chips or French fries, refried beans and fatty fried pastries.
Beverages
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Fluids are important to clean out your gastrointestinal tract and soften fiber. You should drink between six and eight 8-ounce glasses of liquid per day. Water is the ultimate beverage; it replenishes your body, has no calories and does not cause irritation. Fruit drinks, caffeine-free tonics, carbonated beverages and mild herbal teas are also acceptable if you can tolerate them. Avoid coffee, black tea, soft drinks, hot cocoa and alcohol because they will cause discomfort and irritation
Gastritis Cure 
