Diet Tips If Your Senior Loved One Is Suffering From Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying is a condition in which a person’s stomach empties very
slowly, leading to pressure, bloating and other symptoms making it difficult to eat. This condition can
also prevent a person from having the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Many medical conditions can
lead to gastroparesis and if your senior loved one is suffering from gastroparesis, it can be confused with
some other digestive disorders.
Nursing care experts in our senior assisted living facility share some tips on gastroparesis diet and meal
preparation to help your senior loved one get relief from gastroparesis.
Gastroparesis Diet And Meal Preparation
Shared below is an example of a gastroparesis diet which has three distinct phases. These are only
meant to be general recommendations and the diet plan of your senior loved one should be customized
based on the guidelines of dietary experts and medical professionals.
First Phase – Liquid Diet
A liquid diet for short term can be beneficial for people suffering from serious gastroparesis symptoms.
This is because liquid can be easily digested and can help reduce pressure on the stomach while
ensuring hydration and necessary nutrition. However, a liquid diet should not be followed for more than
three days. Also, when on a liquid diet, all foods should be avoided except:
Soft drinks
Soup broths
Saltine crackers
Your senior loved one should have simple meals which include small quantities of crackers and drinks
throughout the day till severe gastroparesis symptoms subside.
Second Phase – Dietary Fats
It takes a long time for our body to digest fats and so they are usually restricted in a gastroparesis diet.
But, dietary fats are essential to ensure energy levels and overall health. Therefore, it is recommended
by nursing care experts to gradually reintroduce some fats. You may reintroduce fats in a small amount
of no more than forty grams per day. Some of the other food items that can be introduced during this
phase are:
Cheese and yogurt low in fats
Skimmed milk
Small amounts of noodles or pasta
Peanut butter
White rice
Vegetable juice
Fruit juices
Low-fat desserts
Veggies without skin
Fruits without skin
Third Phase – Long Term Maintenance
Fibers and fats should be restricted for long term maintenance of gastroparesis. When your senior loved
one is capable of tolerating the second phase, he/she can move to the final phase of the gastroparesis
diet. You can introduce a few additional food items at this point. These are:
Tea and coffee
Fish, ground beef and poultry
However, full-fat versions of food items such as cheese and milk should still be avoided.
