Diabetic Gastroparesis Diet

Did You Know?
Pureed foods are recommended for people affected with diabetic gastroparesis.

Complication in diabetes sometimes manifest in the form of gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach muscles fail to work efficiently. Too much sugar in blood damages the nerve that regulates the action of stomach muscles. As a result, the food moves through the stomach at a very slow pace. Following a proper diet is the key to manage this condition.

What to include and what to exclude from this diet is discussed below:

As poor digestion is associated with this condition, one cannot afford to eat food items that are hard to digest. Foods high in fats make the digestion process sluggish. Also digestion time of fatty foods is very long as compared to other types of food items. In simple words, these foods remain in the stomach and the intestine, for a considerable amount of time, which is not good for people with poor digestive health.

Be it hamburger or fried meat, one has to stay away from these foodstuffs. Steaks of red meat that include pork, beef, and lamb are loaded with unhealthy fats and so have to be avoided. If one wants to have chicken or fish in the diet, then make sure it is baked or broiled and the skin is removed. Dairy products are high in fats but skimmed milk and cottage cheese are low in fats and hence can be included in this diet.

Although fiber-rich foods support gastrointestinal health, they slow down digestion. As fiber is not broken down during digestion, the poorly working stomach muscles find it difficult to push fiber to the intestine. Hence, fiber-rich foods are not a part of diet for gastroparesis. A recipe made from raw vegetables or fruits such as a salad should be avoided. By cooking brown rice and vegetables properly, one can considerably reduce their fiber content.

However, one should still avoid the following vegetables and fruits:

• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Raw carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Berries
• Apples
• Oranges
• Dried fruits

Having 2-3 heavy meals is likely to worsen symptoms of this condition. Too much food intake at one time can be a great burden for gastroparesis patients. So, instead of following a diet plan consisting of 3 meals, go for 6 smaller meals. This is the best diet plan that can work wonders to control this condition. Be it 3 meals or 6 meals a day, overeating has to be avoided.

Besides reducing meal size, adequate water consumption is very important for better digestion. Poor water intake can slow down the digestion process and aggravate the symptoms. So while having meals, make sure to drink substantial amount of water.

Along with the diet, the doctor may also recommend certain medications such as metoclopramide (Reglan) and domperidone (Motilin) to treat this digestion problem. These oral tablets prompt the body to contract the stomach muscles, thereby facilitating the passage of food through the stomach. If nothing works, a surgery is performed in which the size of the passage that connects the stomach to the small intestine, is increased. This surgical procedure assists to stimulate the movement of food from the stomach to the intestine.

Apart from implementing this type of diet, exercise is also necessary to alleviate the symptoms of this digestive disorder. A 20-25 minute walk after meals improves digestion, which in turn helps to manage this condition with ease.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this story is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.