What's the best thing to eat with gastroparesis? Your guide to managing symptoms through diet

October 28, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), dietary changes are a crucial part of managing gastroparesis. So, what's the best thing to eat with gastroparesis? The answer involves prioritizing foods that are low in fat and fiber, preparing them to be soft and easily digestible, and breaking your meals into smaller, more frequent portions throughout the day.

Quick Summary

This guide provides an in-depth look at dietary strategies for managing gastroparesis symptoms, including recommended food choices, preparation techniques, and tips for optimizing meal frequency.

Key Points

Small, Frequent Meals: Eat 4 to 6 small meals per day instead of 2 to 3 large ones to prevent stomach distention and bloating.
Prioritize Low-Fat Foods: Choose lean protein sources, fat-free dairy, and avoid fried, greasy, or fatty meats, which can delay gastric emptying.
Limit Insoluble Fiber: Avoid high-fiber foods like raw vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, as they can form bezoars and cause blockages.
Eat Soft, Cooked Foods: Opt for cooked, pureed, or blended fruits and vegetables to break down fiber and aid digestion.
Stay Hydrated: Sip fluids throughout the day and avoid large quantities with meals. Liquids move through the stomach more easily.
Consider a Liquid Diet for Flare-ups: In severe cases, a short-term all-liquid diet with nutritional supplements may be necessary to ensure adequate nutrition.
Chew Thoroughly: Chew food well to reduce the amount of work for your stomach.
Stay Upright After Eating: Remain upright for 1-2 hours after meals to assist gravity in emptying the stomach.

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a condition where the stomach empties its contents too slowly into the small intestine. This can lead to persistent and debilitating symptoms such as nausea, bloating, and vomiting. While there is no single cure, dietary modifications are a cornerstone of effective symptom management and nutritional support. The core principles of a gastroparesis diet revolve around adjusting the composition, consistency, and frequency of your meals to reduce the workload on your stomach.

Prioritizing Low-Fat and Low-Fiber Foods

The most critical dietary adjustments for gastroparesis are reducing fat and fiber intake. Fat naturally slows down stomach emptying, which can worsen symptoms of bloating and fullness. Similarly, high-fiber foods, especially insoluble fiber found in raw vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, are difficult to digest and can form bezoars, which are masses of indigestible material that can cause blockages.

Lean Proteins and Dairy

Lean proteins are essential for maintaining muscle mass and overall health without adding excessive fat that can slow digestion. Good options include:

Baked, grilled, or poached lean fish and skinless chicken
Eggs (not fried)
Low-fat or fat-free dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese
Tofu and fat-free refried beans

Refined Grains and Starches

Refined grains are preferable to whole grains because they are lower in fiber and easier for the stomach to process.

White bread, crackers, and pasta
White rice
Low-fiber cereals like Cream of Wheat or Rice Krispies
Peeled, well-cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes

Cooked and Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Cooking fruits and vegetables until tender, or pureeing them, breaks down the fiber and makes them easier to digest.

Applesauce and canned fruits (peaches, pears) without skin
Well-cooked vegetables like carrots, beets, and winter squash
Fruit and vegetable juices without pulp

The Importance of Liquid and Pureed Diets

For some individuals, especially during flare-ups, a liquid or pureed diet may be necessary. Liquids and soft foods pass through the stomach more quickly, providing essential nutrients and hydration without triggering severe symptoms.

What to include in a liquid or pureed diet

Nutritional supplement drinks (e.g., Ensure, Boost)
Homemade protein shakes and smoothies with low-fat yogurt and peeled fruits
Strained cream soups and broths
Blended meals, including lean meats, vegetables, and starches thinned with broth

Meal Frequency and Timing

Eating smaller, more frequent meals (e.g., 4-6 small meals and snacks per day) can help prevent the stomach from becoming overly full and distended, which can exacerbate symptoms. This strategy helps ensure adequate nutrition and calorie intake, which can be a challenge with gastroparesis.

Table: Gastroparesis Diet Comparison


Feature	Recommended	To Be Limited/Avoided
Meal Frequency	4-6 small, frequent meals	2-3 large meals
Fat Content	Low-fat or fat-free foods	Fried, greasy foods, fatty meats
Fiber Content	Low-fiber/refined grains and cooked produce	High-fiber whole grains, nuts, raw veggies
Food Texture	Soft, blended, pureed	Hard-to-chew, tough foods like steak
Beverages	Water, low-fat broths, non-carbonated drinks	Carbonated beverages, alcohol

Lifestyle Adjustments

Beyond just what you eat, how you eat plays a significant role in managing gastroparesis. Chewing your food thoroughly to a mashed potato-like consistency helps the stomach with its work. It is also recommended to sit upright while eating and remain upright for at least one to two hours afterward to aid gastric emptying through gravity. A short, gentle walk after a meal can also be beneficial.

Conclusion

Managing gastroparesis effectively through diet is a personalized journey that requires careful planning and self-awareness. By focusing on eating small, frequent meals composed of low-fat, low-fiber, and well-cooked or pureed foods, you can significantly alleviate symptoms like nausea and bloating. It is important to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to tailor a plan to your specific needs, especially if you have severe symptoms or a co-existing condition like diabetes. By following these dietary principles, you can regain a sense of control over your digestion and improve your overall quality of life. For further details on medical treatments, consulting an authoritative source like the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases is advised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Focus on low-fiber fruits that are peeled, canned, cooked, or pureed. Good options include applesauce, bananas, canned peaches, and fruit juices without pulp. Avoid raw fruits with skins, seeds, or high fiber content like berries, oranges, and dried fruits.

Yes, but they should be well-cooked, pureed, or strained. This breaks down the fiber and makes them easier to digest. Safe options include cooked carrots, sweet potatoes without skin, and blended vegetable soups. Raw vegetables should be avoided.

Yes, protein shakes are a good option, especially during severe flare-ups or when solid foods are not tolerated. Choose low-fat varieties and consider using protein powders blended with low-fat milk, yogurt, or fruit juices.

A liquid diet is recommended during severe symptomatic periods because liquids pass through the stomach more easily and quickly than solid foods. This provides necessary nutrition and hydration while giving the stomach a rest.

High-fiber foods, especially insoluble fiber, slow down stomach emptying and can clump together to form indigestible masses called bezoars, which can cause dangerous blockages. Reducing fiber helps prevent these issues and minimizes symptoms.

Lean meats like skinless chicken, turkey, and fish should be prepared using moist cooking methods such as baking, grilling, stewing, or poaching. Minced or ground meats are also easier to digest. Avoid frying and fatty cuts.

No, you don't have to avoid all dairy. Full-fat dairy can be problematic, but low-fat or fat-free versions of milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese are often well-tolerated. Some may find lactose-free alternatives are easier to digest.