@upartist

I appreciate your comment, "While we don't have control over everything, we do have control over behavioral alterations in our day to day. That's the best we can do." Good thing to remember!

If I may ask, why do specifically mention "bone broth"?

Teresa

Your response was so very helpful. I’ve been experimenting and trying to manage this for five years with varying success. I’ll try increasing my liquids. That makes so much sense. Thank you and keep posting other suggestions

Please add more strategies that you’ve learned. You seem to have a better handle on this than my nutritionist

@techmom as upartist mentioned it is a balancing act. It can change with time and your age. It is different for each perosn.. no one-size fits all diet or regiment. Many have other issues besides the gastroparesis. I have several and according to dietitians I need a high fiber, low fiber, low fat, low acid, high calorie easily swallowed digestible diet. How does one balance that out!!!

Balancing fiber... ugh!! I cannot eat raw vegestibles and fruits. They just sit in my stomach. If I eat too much fat then there is diarrhea to deal with. Fat is needed in the diet to help move food along. I do not tolerate milk, but can tolerate cheese. Yeah! high calorie, but can actually constipate me. I eat more vegetables than meat. I just have to cook them Southern Style... cook to beyond done. It is summer squash season here. I can eat them if I deseed them which is easily done by cutting the squash in half lenghtwise and scooping the seeds out with a spoon. I eat them stewed and also roasted. I like to chop the squash and some sweet potatoes into about 1-2 inch cubes; add baby or sliced carrots to them, and a little oil; toss together and place single layer on baking sheet and roast in the oven. My husband cooks now so I have forgetten the time.. maybe 20 minutes or so depending on cut size at 425° I do not preheat oven, but use speed or convection setting. If oven does not have just give veggies a stir midway and maybe extra time. If you can tolerate white potatoes, broccoli, and onions they can be added to the veggie mix. I can handle sweet potatoes, but white potatoes are too dry. I can tolerate over cooked brussel sprouts, but not cabbage.. strange isn't it.

Each of us is unique and it takes much trial and error to figure out what works foodwise. Drinking room temperature drinks or just out of the fridge drinks is better for digestion than really cold drinks. (Warm or hot tea.. very evil when you live in the land of iced sweet tea; I prefer coffee anyway, but limit it.) Drink a good cup of water a bit before eating 15-30 minutes maybe, I never timed it. Do not drink during your meal unless you need it to help swallow. I drink warm coffee after I eat or drink another glass of water.

Exercise is very important. I do a short walk around my yard after I eat in the morning. I eat several times a day because my stomach cannot hold much. I do short walks around my yard after I eat the rest of the day too. I eat the most at midday and try to get a 20-30 minute walk after that meal. If weather does not permit I just walk up and down our hallway.. could go to the mall. Sometimes if food feels like it is just sitting my my stomach I gently massage my stomach as I walk. If my stomach actually hurts after eating I do the walk and massage and if not better I use a heating pad and more massage. I usually have to eat lighter the next day... mostly liquids.

As the body ages things may have to be adjusted.

— Zaroga

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you’ve been able to share. I used to be a vegan, but after Scleroderma blew out my GI tract, I’m now only eating fish, eggs and dairy. (Same restrictions - less than 10g fiber per day, nothing raw, no gluten, about 1500 calories per day) I’ve been trying to figure out how to bring vegetables back into my diet and will definitely try your suggestions. I’ve always known that exercise will help, but haven’t realized how important it is, so I now will make it mandatory! Thank you so much for your help. Please pass along anything else you think of, I am most appreciative.