Gastroparesis Diet – Questions, Suggestions, Tips

I’ve had gastroparesis for many years and vomit almost daily. Fat and red meat seem to make it worse. Small meals help. I’m having a new procedure next month-G-POEM. Google it. Not many hospitals are doing it yet. Best of luck!

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis by doing a stomach emptying testing. I am going on 2 years with it and luckily no vomiting. My doctor wanted me to take gabepetin but I said no because of the side effects. She then recommended Iberogast. It is for stomach motility issues and so far it works. All natural. I buy it at a nutrition store like Vitamin Shop or GNC but this store is a locally owned one. You can get it on Amazon. I just add the drops to any liquid I drink with a meal. But I also don't overeat. I don't eat anything I shouldn't because I don't want besoars. And I drink Equate Plus with 13 grams of protein and vitamins and minerals. You can buy it at Walmart. It is the same as Ensure but cheaper and was recommended by a dietician. My over the counter vitamins are mostly gel caps to make it easier for my stomach to digest. I also get coughing spells after I eat so i chew a stick of sugar-less gum and it works! I hardly ever eat beef unless it ground beef. I cut most of the saturated fat out of my diet. And I started exercising. I have also found out that if you exercise or just walk for 10 minutes after you eat, it helps your stomach to process the food.

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis by doing a stomach emptying testing. I am going on 2 years with it and luckily no vomiting. My doctor wanted me to take gabepetin but I said no because of the side effects. She then recommended Iberogast. It is for stomach motility issues and so far it works. All natural. I buy it at a nutrition store like Vitamin Shop or GNC but this store is a locally owned one. You can get it on Amazon. I just add the drops to any liquid I drink with a meal. But I also don't overeat. I don't eat anything I shouldn't because I don't want besoars. And I drink Equate Plus with 13 grams of protein and vitamins and minerals. You can buy it at Walmart. It is the same as Ensure but cheaper and was recommended by a dietician. My over the counter vitamins are mostly gel caps to make it easier for my stomach to digest. I also get coughing spells after I eat so i chew a stick of sugar-less gum and it works! I hardly ever eat beef unless it ground beef. I cut most of the saturated fat out of my diet. And I started exercising. I have also found out that if you exercise or just walk for 10 minutes after you eat, it helps your stomach to process the food.

@suemer I also take Iberogast- especially with red meats. Makes a big difference. Getting mine through Amazon.

Thanks for the replies @doodle75bug and
@@kanaazpereira and @suemer and @astaingegerdm and @coquifoife !!
I eat small amounts of food all day long like mentioned.
I don’t take any medication for this.
My diagnosis is moderate Gastroparesis ( likely from Nissan Fundoplication for a huge hernia)
I don’t have vomiting very often. I’m so sorry for those of you who do.
I would love to hear more about what y’all eat!!!!!

I have type2 diabetes controlled by diet. I went from eating nuts and berries and celery and whole-wheat bread and beans and every kind of green vegetable imaginable to eating saltine crackers, canned peaches, cottage cheese, white bread, white rice, and mashed potatoes!
So from very high fiber very low carb to very low fiber very high carb. Amazingly my T2 is still under control. Probably because I eat so little.
I’m very excited to cook the heck out of some fresh broccoli!
Let me know what else you think is ok!

To all of those who would like a great way to cook your favorite veggies here is a method that I use for roasting veggies: I put my favorite veggies in the oven, sprinkle with olive oil and add some seasoning like garlic powder, onion powder, Mrs. Dash, etc. and then roast them at about 425 for 20 minutes or until they are tender. I tend to combine some of my favorite veggies like asparagus, onions, carrots, pieces of sweet potatoes, etc.

I find that roasting makes them more flavorful than steaming. If you give it a try, will you let me know what you think of this method? Also, I'd be interested in hearing about some of your favorite combinations.

Hello @suemer and @astaingegerdm

While I do not have a DX of gastroparesis, I have had several upper digestive tract surgeries and my digestive tract seems to run at a different pace than prior to the surgeries.

I am most interested in knowing more about Iberogast. What exactly does it do for you? How has it helped?

I still eat chicken, fish, ground beef, etc. I have eliminated any lettuce, woody vegetables, any fruit skin. I still eat the fruit but it is applesauce instead of the apple. BUT one of the keys to getting your food to digest is to chew it waaaayyy more than you usually did before this. The saliva in your mouth helps break down the food along with the chewing.

I am pretty active taking care of my mentally handicapped son and my 88 year old mom so I often don't eat 6 meals a day. That is where the Equate Nutritional Shake comes in. 350 calories, 13 grams of protein and vitamins and minerals. I can tell you what I don't eat because I really do try to eat what isn't on the gastroparesis diet list. I cut saturated fat from my diet. I still occasionally eat ice cream but I've resorted to frozen yogurt. I don't eat any woody vegetables. Lots of days my vegetables are Low-sodium V8 juice. I find that if I eat too close to any meal, I won't have much of an appetite for the next meal. I always eat a good breakfast about 7am. Then an Equate about 9am. Lunch is about noon and if I have a big lunch my dinner is not large. Snack in the afternoon is about 2pm. Dinner is about 5:30pm. Nothing after about 6pm. I am sleeping on a 5" wedge under my mattress which helps alot! And I start out sleeping on my left side as the right side is a straight shot to your stomach and if your food hasn't digested which most of ours has not, it will cause distress, reflux, and coughing for me. I chew a piece of gum before I go to sleep. I got this tip from the internet and it works. I don't eat salads anymore. I peel all fruit or eat it from a can - no skins. No tomatoes unless they are skinned. No processed meats. No soft cheese. I keep my spicy food to a minimum if at all. If I am no hungry at dinner, I try to eat some of it and then supplement it with Equate. You can buy it at Walmart. Dietician told me it was same as Ensure only tastes better and is cheaper. I've tried Boost too and hated the taste. I also have a Smoothie King meal replacement whenever I feel like it. I haven't quite figured out how to make one myself and wouldn't kow what to put in it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. No citrus juices except Apple Juice. No alcoholic beverages as they slow down your stomach. No soft drinks which means no carbonated beverages. Sometimes I have gotten away with a Pepsi or Ginger Ale but it's early in the day and if you open it, put the cap on, let it sit in the frig for a day or two, some of the fizz is gone and that helps. Onions are a no. I have eaten them finely chopped but minimal with no issues. White rice only no whole grains and just white bread. Our stomach has to break all of that down and cannot. Hope this helps.

I hope all 3 of these pictures of the bottle are attached. It says not to take past 4 weeks without seeing your doctor so I asked by gastroenterologist about that. She said that warning is for people who just decide to take it without the symptoms or being diagnosed with what we have. I have been on it for 2 years. NO side effects.