Gastroparesis Diet – Questions, Suggestions, Tips

Posted by bellbelinda3 @bellbelinda3, Jan 30, 2012

I was recently diagnosed with Gastroparesis. Can anyone enlighten me about diet?

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@ken82

Mayo MN diagnosed my gastroparesis some 5 years ago.. I saw the dietitian there as well. The gave me a way to cope with this condition that never goes away... My Post operative condition was caused be injury to the nerves that control stomach emptying.. As a coincidence my ethnicity is Norwegian... we drink coffee... neither the doctor nor the dietitian told me to cut out the coffee.. I only have 2 cups a day in the morning. Even though I ate yogurt before gastroparesis I cannot eat it or the yogurt based protein drinks like Ensure... as my eating log indicated a connection with diarrhea .. I eat fruits and non leafy vegetables.. I snack on a trail mix of nuts, dried fruit, and peanut M&Ms....

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Hello Ken! Thanks so much for being so open with your experiences. It's really helped me to cope with my diagnosis and figure out how to maneuver through. Do you mind if I ask what sort of eating log you use? Is it good ole fashion paper & pen or have you found a phone app? I've been looking for something digital I can carry on the go with no success.

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@argentism

I discovered that Miralax worked really well for me for a short time but after multiple trials on and then off, I’ve discovered that it appears to create problems of its own. Use with care and take special notice of new symptoms.

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Hello Argentism, do you mind if I ask what problems you've experienced with long term Miralax use? It's what the gastro I see recommends. So far its going alright. It's just been a dance of balancing between when I need one dose a day vs two. But I'd like to be abreast of any potential hazards. Thanks in advance!

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@gegrafton

Been diagnosed for about a month now, knocked off soda, high-fiber foods, eating less, etc. Now worried about trying to regain weight back (lost 30#) BMI just around 18 which is borderline malnourished. Any tips on high calorie foods & exercising without stomach going haywire and being worse off?

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I have made up a trail mix of mixed nuts, dried cranberries, peanut M&Ms.. plus I eat a strawberry sundae 2 times a day.. I'm my own cook.. chicken stew is a regular

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Read back on some of my posts.. the real trick is cut things very small, chew very well, eat small amounts often, have a sauce with the things to eat even if it is applesauce. Don't eat hard to digest stuff like broccoli, cabbage, soft bread, carbonated beverages.. I make a stew that works well.. beans high in protein in that with mostly chicken and vegetables.. I take Mirtazapin to make me think I should eat..

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I really miss Broccoli, is it ok to eat if cooked really well ? I am new and just diagnosed with gastroparesis and trying to navigate threw diet changes. I find myself eating mostly the same things. I could really use some help with diet choices. I have found many diets on the internet, and if you follow them sometimes its very restricting or to restricting. I understand everyone might experience different things from foods. I find how ever a bad choice can sometimes flair symptom's and take days to resolve. Any suggestions would be helpful.

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@paulr58

I really miss Broccoli, is it ok to eat if cooked really well ? I am new and just diagnosed with gastroparesis and trying to navigate threw diet changes. I find myself eating mostly the same things. I could really use some help with diet choices. I have found many diets on the internet, and if you follow them sometimes its very restricting or to restricting. I understand everyone might experience different things from foods. I find how ever a bad choice can sometimes flair symptom's and take days to resolve. Any suggestions would be helpful.

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I am new at this also and I stopped eating beef of any kind sticking with fish especially salmon. I also eat chicken not eating the skin, potatoes with no skin, canned fruit and all vegetables well cooked, mostly carrots. Nothing spicey which I use to like and yes restriction is what we need. I did talk to a Dietician at the VA and she gave me list of do's and don'ts and it very restrictive. My problem and I imagine or wonder if most of us are Diabetics making it even more difficult when choosing things to eat. I am use to eating strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries every morning which kept my A1C in the in the high 5's and since this diagnoisis I am now at 6.1. I went back to the berries slicing two strawberries into 4 slices, 4 raspberries, 4 blackberries, and 16 blueberries with one slice of toast for breakfast and my stomach seems to do well. The other fruit i eat is dice peaches and canned cranberries. Like I say I am new at this, have had well controlled diabetes having had it for 52 years and now 72 years old . Hope this helps but like I say I am new at this.

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@tdsrv

I am new at this also and I stopped eating beef of any kind sticking with fish especially salmon. I also eat chicken not eating the skin, potatoes with no skin, canned fruit and all vegetables well cooked, mostly carrots. Nothing spicey which I use to like and yes restriction is what we need. I did talk to a Dietician at the VA and she gave me list of do's and don'ts and it very restrictive. My problem and I imagine or wonder if most of us are Diabetics making it even more difficult when choosing things to eat. I am use to eating strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries every morning which kept my A1C in the in the high 5's and since this diagnoisis I am now at 6.1. I went back to the berries slicing two strawberries into 4 slices, 4 raspberries, 4 blackberries, and 16 blueberries with one slice of toast for breakfast and my stomach seems to do well. The other fruit i eat is dice peaches and canned cranberries. Like I say I am new at this, have had well controlled diabetes having had it for 52 years and now 72 years old . Hope this helps but like I say I am new at this.

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Thanks for your reply. I have been following the suggested gp friendly diet and had dropping weight fast. Since then I spoke with a dietician and got some help but still very restrictive. I have add ensure max and a new medication called Domperidone which seem to help symptoms an digestion. I am glad to hear that someone else is eating well cooked veggies, my diet was so plain. Also, I was told to try an put back things in small portions,( the only way to find out if I can eat it). Your breakfast sounds really good, but everything on it doesn't fit into the GP friendly diet other than the white bread. Glad you can enjoy that, i might start adding more berries into my diet, I miss them too.

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@pcutler

Hello Ken! Thanks so much for being so open with your experiences. It's really helped me to cope with my diagnosis and figure out how to maneuver through. Do you mind if I ask what sort of eating log you use? Is it good ole fashion paper & pen or have you found a phone app? I've been looking for something digital I can carry on the go with no success.

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@pcutler ..I used the pen and paper eating and relief log.. but having it with you all the time is key.. so the note book on your phone should work.. but record food and drink in.. and then what happens in the bathroom..

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I am pretty much sticking with diet for IBS-C.
I have added some non gluten free things with no problem and some sugar. Soft drinks are still a no-no as is salad and gassy vegetables.

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@tdsrv

I am new at this also and I stopped eating beef of any kind sticking with fish especially salmon. I also eat chicken not eating the skin, potatoes with no skin, canned fruit and all vegetables well cooked, mostly carrots. Nothing spicey which I use to like and yes restriction is what we need. I did talk to a Dietician at the VA and she gave me list of do's and don'ts and it very restrictive. My problem and I imagine or wonder if most of us are Diabetics making it even more difficult when choosing things to eat. I am use to eating strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries every morning which kept my A1C in the in the high 5's and since this diagnoisis I am now at 6.1. I went back to the berries slicing two strawberries into 4 slices, 4 raspberries, 4 blackberries, and 16 blueberries with one slice of toast for breakfast and my stomach seems to do well. The other fruit i eat is dice peaches and canned cranberries. Like I say I am new at this, have had well controlled diabetes having had it for 52 years and now 72 years old . Hope this helps but like I say I am new at this.

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I also stay away from steaks & roasts eating fish, chicken (always without skin), eggs, & ground meats are usually well tolerate, any veggies well cooked, ice cream (I’m dairy free), puddings & can fruits. I can usually eat a small amount of bananas, my husband usually eats what I don’t…. I try not to eat pass 7pm & I always walk after eating. Walking after eating is very crucial for me, especially when I’m so full feeling, bloated….I’ve really had to reduce my quantities, but eat more often. I fast all night about 16-18 hrs to help empty my stomach , then I graze for 8 hrs n small amounts & walk throughout the house or on my treadmill…..when it’s nice outside I will walk outside. Walking & small amounts at a time seems to be key for my survival at this point. I was diagnosed Oct 2020 & I’m 75yrs.

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