Q. What are the dietary guidelines for gastritis?
Energy: Give adequate calories through frequent feedings or else proteins would be utilized for energy of repair work.
Proteins: Give adequate proteins (g/kg body weight) through skimmed milk, egg, steamed fish, chicken, minced meat etc.
Carbohydrates: Simple easy to digest carbohydrates should be included in soft well cooked form. Thus, semolina, rice, maida, sago, arrowroot etc. may be included whereas whole cereals and millets should particularly be avoided if gastritis has caused damage to the mucosa.
Fiber: Eating a diet high in fibre reduces the risk of developing the ulcers and also speeds up the healing process. However, ca at fibre rich foods (soluble fibre) is always included in a soft cooked form. Raw foods, seeds etc should be completely avoided in the diet. While soluble fibre is safer for the patient as compared to insoluble fibre (husk/bran of cereals and pulses, peels of fruits and vegetables).
Vitamin B12: Supplementation with vitamin B,, helps to treat pernicious anaemia and H. pylori infection. Its sources include fish, dairy products, organ meats, eggs, beef and pork.
Vitamin A: A combination of vitamin A (found in many green and orange coloured fruits and vegetables) and antacids is helpful in healing ulcers.
Vitamin C: A high dose of vitamin C treatment is effective in treating H. pylori infection.