You sit down to eat, take a few bites, and you suddenly feel uncomfortably full. Maybe you’re dealing with bloating, nausea, or that lingering heavy feeling that just won’t go away. If this sounds familiar, your stomach may not be emptying as efficiently as it should.
Gastroparesis is a condition that slows the rate at which food moves from your stomach to your small intestine. While the condition doesn’t have a cure, the way you eat can make a difference in how you feel.
Noel R. Fajardo, MD, Filippo Cremonini, MD, PhD, MSc, and our Las Vegas Gastroenterology team can help you take control of your symptoms with practical, personalized strategies.
Read on as they share seven diet tips that can help you manage gastroparesis and how to tell when it’s time to visit our GI motility clinic.
Large meals can sit in your stomach longer and worsen symptoms. Instead of eating three meals, try to eat four to six smaller meals throughout the day to make digestion easier and reduce that overly full feeling.
Fat slows stomach emptying, which can aggravate gastroparesis symptoms even more. Limit or avoid high-fat foods, including full-fat dairy and fatty cuts of meat. Swap those for low-fat options like lean proteins, low-fat dairy, and simple carbohydrates.
While fiber is usually healthy, it can be harder to digest if you have gastroparesis. Foods high in fiber, especially raw vegetables, skins, seeds, and legumes, may cause discomfort or, in severe cases, form blockages.
You still can benefit from vegetables, but try well-cooked vegetables, peeled fruits, and refined grains instead.
Soft foods move through the stomach more easily. Add more of the following to your weekly meal rotations:
These options can help you get nutrition without triggering symptoms.
Lying down after a meal can further slow down your digestion. Remain upright for at least an hour or two after eating to let gravity assist with stomach emptying.
When you think about digestion, you probably think about your stomach, but digestion actually starts in your mouth.
Take your time chewing your food so it breaks down into smaller particles. This makes it easier for your stomach to process. It may seem like a simple habit, but it’s one that can significantly reduce your discomfort.
Fluids help move food through your digestive system, but drinking large amounts during meals can make you feel overly full. Instead, sip fluids throughout the day, drinking between meals rather than during them.
If you’re frequently experiencing early fullness, nausea, vomiting, bloating, or unexplained weight loss, it’s time to give us a call at 702-982-7240. These symptoms can affect your nutrition and quality of life if left untreated.
In our GI motility clinic, we perform diagnostic testing to better understand how your digestive system is functioning. We may recommend the SmartPill™, a small, swallowable capsule that travels through your digestive tract to collect important data about your digestive system.
As it moves through your system, the SmartPill records acidity levels, temperature, and pressure. The pill relays data to a receiver you wear on your waist. After a few days, your body eliminates the pill via a bowel movement.
This test is safe, painless, and radiation-free, which makes it an effective and convenient way to diagnose conditions like gastroparesis and guide your treatment plan.
You don’t have to live with constant discomfort after eating. With the right strategies and support, you can feel better and regain control of your meals. Schedule an appointment at either of our two Las Vegas, Nevada, locations today.
