Could someone tell me where to go to find a reliable and doctor-approved gastroparesis diet – what to eat and not eat. I have it and now my 51 year old son has it too. Or where is it on the Mayo clinic site?
I’m confused about the Gastroparesis diet I was given when diagnosed last fall because a bezoar was found in my stomach. The diet is very similar to the one that Mayo has posted under Gastroparesis. My first question is about vegetables. The diet says no raw vegetables (of course) but well cooked vegetables are okay.
But the next entry is to avoid fibrous vegetable such as broccoli.
Does this mean that I can’t eat broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, turnip greens, spinach, green beans, etc. even if I cook them to death?
@kanaazpereira thank you for the link! That’s pretty much the diet I’ve been following. Could you ask the dietician if she thinks it’s ok to eat high fiber veggies like beans if they are cooked until they are practically mush and then puréed ??? Or would that still be too much fiber for someone with Gastroparesis? I don’t want to ever have another bezoar.
Not sure if I have gastroparesis seeing as I am still waiting for a diagnosis but seeing as I can still taste the food when I burp hours after eating it and all the neasia that comes with it I am pretty sire this is my issue. My question is what foods help to lessen these issues? I really need to be able to eat but I just don't know what's safe to eat and what will cause issues. I am hoping someone with this issue can help me
Could someone tell me where to go to find a reliable and doctor-approved gastroparesis diet – what to eat and not eat. I have it and now my 51 year old son has it too. Or where is it on the Mayo clinic site?
Not sure if I have gastroparesis seeing as I am still waiting for a diagnosis but seeing as I can still taste the food when I burp hours after eating it and all the neasia that comes with it I am pretty sire this is my issue. My question is what foods help to lessen these issues? I really need to be able to eat but I just don't know what's safe to eat and what will cause issues. I am hoping someone with this issue can help me
Could someone tell me where to go to find a reliable and doctor-approved gastroparesis diet – what to eat and not eat. I have it and now my 51 year old son has it too. Or where is it on the Mayo clinic site?
You may notice that I combined your discussion about gastorparesis diet with this existing discussion titled, "Gastroparesis diet – a lot out there but nothing consistent.” I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to meet other members who are talking about this diet, and have shared their experiences well.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
Could someone tell me where to go to find a reliable and doctor-approved gastroparesis diet – what to eat and not eat. I have it and now my 51 year old son has it too. Or where is it on the Mayo clinic site?
I have found with this condition it’s something you need to see what foods trigger reactions leaving them out of your daily eating. I found helpful keeping a daily diary seeing a pattern of what triggers the pain gases reflux and feeling sick. I hope this helps. Good luck
@I have been diagnosed with slow gastric emptyiing at a moderate level.The diet is extremely restrictive.I also have had constipation issues for years.This has been worse since having a small bowel obstruction 18 months ago.I have added fluids but am not supposed to eat more than 10 grams of fiber a day and no fresh fruits or vegetables, beans and onlyfew cooked vegetables are allowed.Also no fiber supplements.
About the Tai Chi, try Tai Chi for Arthritis. It is much more simple forms, and, much less of them! Dr Arthur Lam (sp?) created it. I did it at my PT's, and, brought my mom, who had had a stroke, and, with some modifications (hold on to a chair, during difficult movements), she did great.
My teacher said that even if you only do the warm ups, or, the first few, easy movements, over and over, it can help with balance, etc…
I haven't been DX with Gastroparesis yet, have the stomach emptying test a week from Friday.
But, from researching it, it seems pretty probable.
I'm concerned for both constipation caused by my pain meds, for my chronic pain (haven't ever had an obstruction, thank goodness!!). Usually, 5 fiber capsules in AM and PM, are enough to keep me regular. But, if I have to stop the fiber capsules, I'm pretty sure added water (already drink a lot), and, walking won't help me. I have done this, when in hospital, during the delay for them to get my fiber capsules ordered.. I also ate as much fruit and veggies as I could. None of that worked, until I got my fiber back.
So, I'm very concerned, if I do have Gastroparesis (what else could it be…?!! Lower end/bottom of stomach is red, irritated, inflamed, along with first part of my duodenum.), about constipation.
But, I've also been DX again with prediabetes (had it before, then my A1c was in range several times), and, from what I've researched, how I'll have to eat, if it is Gastroparesis, is almost opposite how I should eat, for diabetes. Eating for Gastroparesis, seems like high carb food.
Also, as I said earlier, I have chronic pain, and, also, chronic health conditions. Shopping, putting it away, cooking, and cleaning up, wears me out, and, causes me to hurt (as does activity, such as walking daily… but, I'll give it a go…)
I mostly try to get easy to prepare, somewhat healthy foods (frozen, and can be nuked, are my go to).
I saw the broths when I was shopping for bland foods (don't know if it's psychological, but, after gastro PA told me about possibility of Gastroparesis, my stomach 'went'. Pain, can't tolerate any but very bland, 'vanilla' foods, etc…).
I didn't really look closely at the broths, as I remembered them being pretty salty. But, I'll look at, and get some, next time I'm at store.
I told my GP's PA, that I think I'll need another dietitian appt, to figure out how to eat for both Gastroparesis and diabetes, if I am DX with Gastroparesis.
For years, like, 20, gastro doc had me on proton pump Inhibitors, and, for the most part, they seemed to work, with my stomach 'going', every so often…
I had 'hot spots' in my stomach, in middle school, and was put on restrictive diet then. Also, had to take a muscle relaxer, and wait 20 minutes, before I ate. Having experienced that, is why I think, even the possibility of having it, is triggering me. Especially, with the other complications I'll have
If I am DX, I'm going to see my ND. I've found, that often, with chronic conditions, naturopathy can do more, especially, get at the cause, than western medicine, which can only treat the symptoms.
@I have been diagnosed with slow gastric emptyiing at a moderate level.The diet is extremely restrictive.I also have had constipation issues for years.This has been worse since having a small bowel obstruction 18 months ago.I have added fluids but am not supposed to eat more than 10 grams of fiber a day and no fresh fruits or vegetables, beans and onlyfew cooked vegetables are allowed.Also no fiber supplements.
I enjoyed reading all these posts. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in July 2019 and have been on a roller coaster since then. I saw a nutritionist and realized that figuring out a diet was virtually impossible. I have Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy with a cardiac component. Have had 5 pacemakers (beginning 1992) and after an episode of ventricular tachycardia and a heart rate of 480 bpm in Jan. 2018, I had a cardiac resynchronization computer with a pacemaker and debrillator inserted and have only had 2 episodes since. I am 69 and am a Type 2 diabetic, but A1C is under control. I am having trouble eating enough to keep weight on. At 5’8” I weighed 124 lbs. at my last checkup having lost about 6 lbs since July. I have been taking a stool softener daily, walking and doing pretty good until recently whenconstipation has overtaken my life. Finally I took Dulcolax and have spent all afternoon in the bathroom. I feel full all the time, have abdominal pain from top to bottom, feel like there is something stuck in my throat, feel nauseous at times, have heartburn and GERD for which I was given Dexilant, a PPI. My problem is that I have to take 16 pills a day and invariably some get stuck and that doesn’t include vitamins, probiotics, Tylenol, Famoditine before meals, stool softener and more. I am fearful of an obstruction because I do not want to have surgery because of my heart and I am wondering if my MD may be a cause of lower abdominal pain. I can no longer walk up stairs or an incline. I miss fatty foods, fruits, vegetables, meat and more. Today I have zero energy. I will keep reading for hints to help. Thank you for sharing your story with all. HURTING IN GA!
I enjoyed reading all these posts. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in July 2019 and have been on a roller coaster since then. I saw a nutritionist and realized that figuring out a diet was virtually impossible. I have Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy with a cardiac component. Have had 5 pacemakers (beginning 1992) and after an episode of ventricular tachycardia and a heart rate of 480 bpm in Jan. 2018, I had a cardiac resynchronization computer with a pacemaker and debrillator inserted and have only had 2 episodes since. I am 69 and am a Type 2 diabetic, but A1C is under control. I am having trouble eating enough to keep weight on. At 5’8” I weighed 124 lbs. at my last checkup having lost about 6 lbs since July. I have been taking a stool softener daily, walking and doing pretty good until recently whenconstipation has overtaken my life. Finally I took Dulcolax and have spent all afternoon in the bathroom. I feel full all the time, have abdominal pain from top to bottom, feel like there is something stuck in my throat, feel nauseous at times, have heartburn and GERD for which I was given Dexilant, a PPI. My problem is that I have to take 16 pills a day and invariably some get stuck and that doesn’t include vitamins, probiotics, Tylenol, Famoditine before meals, stool softener and more. I am fearful of an obstruction because I do not want to have surgery because of my heart and I am wondering if my MD may be a cause of lower abdominal pain. I can no longer walk up stairs or an incline. I miss fatty foods, fruits, vegetables, meat and more. Today I have zero energy. I will keep reading for hints to help. Thank you for sharing your story with all. HURTING IN GA!
@stubeckj70
I had a feeding tube for a while… meds had to be crushed to go in the tube. When they said I could take my meds orally I had to crush the ones I could and add to applesauce and then swallow them. They told me to open the PPI capsules and take with applesauce too. Of course the time released do not work well this way, but work somewhat. Your pharmacist can give you the best advice on how to get them down. .. which can be crushed and which cannot be crushed. I prefer canned pears over applesauce.. so I put some canned pears in a mini chopper to get them applesauce consistency. I too have trouble maintaining weight. I have managed to get it up from 117lbs to 123lbs since January. I am 5’5” tall. You should be able to handle canned fruits… just nothing with skins or seeds. I avoid anything raw, leafy greens and any fibrous food like celery. I actually can handle a couple of tablespoons of Bush's Baked beans… only brand I can handle.. It gives me some fiber and seems to digest fine. Everyone is different.. so what one can handle another cannot. I cannot handle a bowl of cooked oatmeal, but can eat a little bit of homemade granola. Nuts chopped fine and dry fruit chopped fine. .. really weird. Do not be afraid to try different foods. Like I said.. we are all different and what one can handle another cannot. It is difficult to find a diet that works when one thing needs a high fiber diet and another needs low fiber… and that is me! I think a tachycardia condition will be flaring full force soon. It has been happening some over the past few years and happening more often now.
@I have been diagnosed with slow gastric emptyiing at a moderate level.The diet is extremely restrictive.I also have had constipation issues for years.This has been worse since having a small bowel obstruction 18 months ago.I have added fluids but am not supposed to eat more than 10 grams of fiber a day and no fresh fruits or vegetables, beans and onlyfew cooked vegetables are allowed.Also no fiber supplements.
Thank you for responding to my post.
I will try more things. I too love canned pears and peaches. I have a lot of pain all over my abdomen, especially under left rib cage. Am going to go back to gastroparesis specialist in Atlanta and see if he can offer me more than a PPI. Thanks again!
@I have been diagnosed with slow gastric emptyiing at a moderate level.The diet is extremely restrictive.I also have had constipation issues for years.This has been worse since having a small bowel obstruction 18 months ago.I have added fluids but am not supposed to eat more than 10 grams of fiber a day and no fresh fruits or vegetables, beans and onlyfew cooked vegetables are allowed.Also no fiber supplements.
@stubeckj70 It may be something to do with your esophagus or a hiatal hernia. So many things that it could be causing the pain. My last surgery was to repair all the damage that a hiatal giant paraesophageal .. sliding… hernia created. I had to have open surgery. I have pain all through my chest because of that surgery. I also have esophagus problems that contribute to it.. achalasia and Barrett's esophagus.
My prayers that you find the cause and a solution.
@I have been diagnosed with slow gastric emptyiing at a moderate level.The diet is extremely restrictive.I also have had constipation issues for years.This has been worse since having a small bowel obstruction 18 months ago.I have added fluids but am not supposed to eat more than 10 grams of fiber a day and no fresh fruits or vegetables, beans and onlyfew cooked vegetables are allowed.Also no fiber supplements.
@stubeckj70 Bless your heart! I agree with you that finding the right diet when you have multiple conditions is virtually impossible! Like @fourof5zs said, we’re all different and so you have to go thru a lot of trying this and that to see what works for you. I’m afraid to even try some of the foods that work for her — baked beans and chopped nuts — because of the high fiber content.
My doc initially had me taking Colace and miralax twice a day to prevent constipation. That was way too much. After a lot of experimenting, I figured out what works best for me: I take colace twice a day. And then if 2 days go by without “going”, the next day I take 1 dose of Miralax which ALWAYS results in me “going”.
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Hi everybody,
I'd like to invite you to view this recently published post on the Connect "Gastroenterology & GI Surgery” Page. Madelynn Strong, clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic, recommends strategies and foods that might help relieve symptoms of gastroparesis, and speed up gastric emptying.
Gastroparesis Diet Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed/gastroparesis-diet-guidelines-1/
@kanaazpereira thank you for the link! That’s pretty much the diet I’ve been following. Could you ask the dietician if she thinks it’s ok to eat high fiber veggies like beans if they are cooked until they are practically mush and then puréed ??? Or would that still be too much fiber for someone with Gastroparesis? I don’t want to ever have another bezoar.
Hello @hgarm
I'm going to ask one of our moderators, @lisalucier, to move your post to an existing discussion on gastroparesis. Here is the link to that discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastroparesis/?orderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header.
Many people in this discussion group are talking about dietary changes they are making to deal with this disorder.
Here also is some information from Mayo's website about treatments available, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355792
Not sure if I have gastroparesis seeing as I am still waiting for a diagnosis but seeing as I can still taste the food when I burp hours after eating it and all the neasia that comes with it I am pretty sire this is my issue. My question is what foods help to lessen these issues? I really need to be able to eat but I just don't know what's safe to eat and what will cause issues. I am hoping someone with this issue can help me
Hi @hgarm,
You may notice that I combined your discussion about gastorparesis diet with this existing discussion titled, "Gastroparesis diet – a lot out there but nothing consistent.” I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to meet other members who are talking about this diet, and have shared their experiences well.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
I have found with this condition it’s something you need to see what foods trigger reactions leaving them out of your daily eating. I found helpful keeping a daily diary seeing a pattern of what triggers the pain gases reflux and feeling sick. I hope this helps. Good luck
About the Tai Chi, try Tai Chi for Arthritis. It is much more simple forms, and, much less of them! Dr Arthur Lam (sp?) created it. I did it at my PT's, and, brought my mom, who had had a stroke, and, with some modifications (hold on to a chair, during difficult movements), she did great.
My teacher said that even if you only do the warm ups, or, the first few, easy movements, over and over, it can help with balance, etc…
I haven't been DX with Gastroparesis yet, have the stomach emptying test a week from Friday.
But, from researching it, it seems pretty probable.
I'm concerned for both constipation caused by my pain meds, for my chronic pain (haven't ever had an obstruction, thank goodness!!). Usually, 5 fiber capsules in AM and PM, are enough to keep me regular. But, if I have to stop the fiber capsules, I'm pretty sure added water (already drink a lot), and, walking won't help me. I have done this, when in hospital, during the delay for them to get my fiber capsules ordered.. I also ate as much fruit and veggies as I could. None of that worked, until I got my fiber back.
So, I'm very concerned, if I do have Gastroparesis (what else could it be…?!! Lower end/bottom of stomach is red, irritated, inflamed, along with first part of my duodenum.), about constipation.
But, I've also been DX again with prediabetes (had it before, then my A1c was in range several times), and, from what I've researched, how I'll have to eat, if it is Gastroparesis, is almost opposite how I should eat, for diabetes. Eating for Gastroparesis, seems like high carb food.
Also, as I said earlier, I have chronic pain, and, also, chronic health conditions. Shopping, putting it away, cooking, and cleaning up, wears me out, and, causes me to hurt (as does activity, such as walking daily… but, I'll give it a go…)
I mostly try to get easy to prepare, somewhat healthy foods (frozen, and can be nuked, are my go to).
I saw the broths when I was shopping for bland foods (don't know if it's psychological, but, after gastro PA told me about possibility of Gastroparesis, my stomach 'went'. Pain, can't tolerate any but very bland, 'vanilla' foods, etc…).
I didn't really look closely at the broths, as I remembered them being pretty salty. But, I'll look at, and get some, next time I'm at store.
I told my GP's PA, that I think I'll need another dietitian appt, to figure out how to eat for both Gastroparesis and diabetes, if I am DX with Gastroparesis.
For years, like, 20, gastro doc had me on proton pump Inhibitors, and, for the most part, they seemed to work, with my stomach 'going', every so often…
I had 'hot spots' in my stomach, in middle school, and was put on restrictive diet then. Also, had to take a muscle relaxer, and wait 20 minutes, before I ate. Having experienced that, is why I think, even the possibility of having it, is triggering me. Especially, with the other complications I'll have
If I am DX, I'm going to see my ND. I've found, that often, with chronic conditions, naturopathy can do more, especially, get at the cause, than western medicine, which can only treat the symptoms.
I enjoyed reading all these posts. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis in July 2019 and have been on a roller coaster since then. I saw a nutritionist and realized that figuring out a diet was virtually impossible. I have Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy with a cardiac component. Have had 5 pacemakers (beginning 1992) and after an episode of ventricular tachycardia and a heart rate of 480 bpm in Jan. 2018, I had a cardiac resynchronization computer with a pacemaker and debrillator inserted and have only had 2 episodes since. I am 69 and am a Type 2 diabetic, but A1C is under control. I am having trouble eating enough to keep weight on. At 5’8” I weighed 124 lbs. at my last checkup having lost about 6 lbs since July. I have been taking a stool softener daily, walking and doing pretty good until recently whenconstipation has overtaken my life. Finally I took Dulcolax and have spent all afternoon in the bathroom. I feel full all the time, have abdominal pain from top to bottom, feel like there is something stuck in my throat, feel nauseous at times, have heartburn and GERD for which I was given Dexilant, a PPI. My problem is that I have to take 16 pills a day and invariably some get stuck and that doesn’t include vitamins, probiotics, Tylenol, Famoditine before meals, stool softener and more. I am fearful of an obstruction because I do not want to have surgery because of my heart and I am wondering if my MD may be a cause of lower abdominal pain. I can no longer walk up stairs or an incline. I miss fatty foods, fruits, vegetables, meat and more. Today I have zero energy. I will keep reading for hints to help. Thank you for sharing your story with all. HURTING IN GA!
@stubeckj70
I had a feeding tube for a while… meds had to be crushed to go in the tube. When they said I could take my meds orally I had to crush the ones I could and add to applesauce and then swallow them. They told me to open the PPI capsules and take with applesauce too. Of course the time released do not work well this way, but work somewhat. Your pharmacist can give you the best advice on how to get them down. .. which can be crushed and which cannot be crushed. I prefer canned pears over applesauce.. so I put some canned pears in a mini chopper to get them applesauce consistency. I too have trouble maintaining weight. I have managed to get it up from 117lbs to 123lbs since January. I am 5’5” tall. You should be able to handle canned fruits… just nothing with skins or seeds. I avoid anything raw, leafy greens and any fibrous food like celery. I actually can handle a couple of tablespoons of Bush's Baked beans… only brand I can handle.. It gives me some fiber and seems to digest fine. Everyone is different.. so what one can handle another cannot. I cannot handle a bowl of cooked oatmeal, but can eat a little bit of homemade granola. Nuts chopped fine and dry fruit chopped fine. .. really weird. Do not be afraid to try different foods. Like I said.. we are all different and what one can handle another cannot. It is difficult to find a diet that works when one thing needs a high fiber diet and another needs low fiber… and that is me! I think a tachycardia condition will be flaring full force soon. It has been happening some over the past few years and happening more often now.
Thank you for responding to my post.
I will try more things. I too love canned pears and peaches. I have a lot of pain all over my abdomen, especially under left rib cage. Am going to go back to gastroparesis specialist in Atlanta and see if he can offer me more than a PPI. Thanks again!
@stubeckj70 It may be something to do with your esophagus or a hiatal hernia. So many things that it could be causing the pain. My last surgery was to repair all the damage that a hiatal giant paraesophageal .. sliding… hernia created. I had to have open surgery. I have pain all through my chest because of that surgery. I also have esophagus problems that contribute to it.. achalasia and Barrett's esophagus.
My prayers that you find the cause and a solution.
@stubeckj70 Bless your heart! I agree with you that finding the right diet when you have multiple conditions is virtually impossible! Like @fourof5zs said, we’re all different and so you have to go thru a lot of trying this and that to see what works for you. I’m afraid to even try some of the foods that work for her — baked beans and chopped nuts — because of the high fiber content.
My doc initially had me taking Colace and miralax twice a day to prevent constipation. That was way too much. After a lot of experimenting, I figured out what works best for me: I take colace twice a day. And then if 2 days go by without “going”, the next day I take 1 dose of Miralax which ALWAYS results in me “going”.