What Snacks Are Good for Gastroparesis? A Comprehensive Guide

October 19, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK), controlling your diet is a primary treatment for managing gastroparesis. Discover what snacks are good for gastroparesis by focusing on low-fiber, low-fat, and liquid-based options that are easier for your stomach to process.

Quick Summary

Manage gastroparesis symptoms by choosing low-fat, low-fiber snacks that are easy to digest. Focus on liquid and pureed foods, and soft, refined carbs to get necessary nutrients without aggravating your condition.

Key Points

Liquid & Pureed are Easiest: Liquid nutritional supplements, protein shakes, and smooth soups are often the most tolerated snacks due to faster gastric emptying.
Prioritize Low-Fat Options: High-fat foods slow down stomach emptying and should be limited. Choose low-fat dairy, lean protein, and bake or broil foods instead of frying.
Limit High-Fiber Foods: Fiber is difficult to digest and can form blockages. Avoid raw and whole-grain products, and opt for peeled, cooked, or canned fruits and vegetables.
Focus on Refined Carbs: Simple, low-fiber carbohydrates like white crackers, white bread, and refined cereals are generally better tolerated than whole-grain versions.
Chew Food Thoroughly: When eating solids, chew until food reaches an almost liquid consistency to aid digestion and prevent stomach stress.
Eat Small, Frequent Snacks: Instead of large meals, eating 4-6 small meals and snacks throughout the day can reduce stomach distension and speed up emptying.
Consult a Professional: A registered dietitian can provide personalized guidance to ensure you maintain adequate nutrition while managing your symptoms.

Understanding the Gastroparesis Diet

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, is a condition where the stomach's natural muscle movements slow down or stop entirely. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, bloating, and early fullness. Managing your diet is a cornerstone of treatment, and selecting the right snacks is crucial for maintaining nutrition and minimizing discomfort. The core principles of a gastroparesis diet involve consuming frequent, small meals and snacks that are low in fat and fiber, as both can significantly slow stomach emptying.

Prioritizing Liquid and Pureed Snacks

For many with gastroparesis, liquids and pureed foods are the most easily tolerated options because they pass through the stomach faster than solids. This is especially helpful during symptom flare-ups or when solid foods are not tolerated well.

Snack Ideas:

Protein Shakes: Ready-to-drink nutritional supplements like Ensure or Boost are a convenient way to get calories and protein. Homemade versions can also be blended using protein powder, low-fat milk alternatives (like almond or soy milk), and soft, peeled fruits.
Smoothies: A great way to consume fruits and vegetables in a manageable form. Use peeled and seedless fruits like bananas, canned peaches, or mangoes. Incorporate low-fat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for protein. Remember to strain any seeds, such as those from berries.
Strained Soups: Smooth, blended soups are comforting and nutritious. Consider pureed vegetable soups, like creamy carrot or potato leek, made with low-fat broth or milk. Avoid soups with chunky ingredients or high-fiber vegetables.
Pudding and Custard: Fat-free or low-fat versions of pudding and custard provide a simple, smooth, and easy-to-digest snack.
Applesauce: Unsweetened, smooth applesauce is a classic, gentle snack. Ensure it has no added skins or seeds.

Navigating Low-Fat, Low-Fiber Solids

When tolerating some solid food, the key is to choose options that are refined and have minimal fat and fiber. Chew all food very thoroughly to aid the digestive process.

Snack Ideas:

Refined Crackers with Smooth Nut Butter: Pair low-fiber crackers, such as saltines, with a small amount of smooth, creamy peanut butter. Start with 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter to monitor tolerance, as it can be high in fat.
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: A small serving of low-fat cottage cheese provides protein and calcium in a soft, easy-to-manage form.
Cooked, Peeled Potatoes: A small, well-cooked potato, such as a mashed white or sweet potato without the skin, can be a nourishing snack.
Scrambled Eggs: Scrambled or poached eggs are an excellent source of soft protein. Avoid frying them in oil or butter to keep the fat content low.
Canned Fruits: Canned fruits packed in their own juice or water, such as pears or peaches, are pre-cooked and peeled, making them easy to digest.

Low-Fat vs. Low-Fiber Snack Options

This table outlines the differences between low-fat and low-fiber snacks, which are both crucial considerations for managing gastroparesis.


Feature	Low-Fat Snacks	Low-Fiber Snacks
Primary Goal	Reduce foods that slow stomach emptying through fat content.	Reduce foods that are indigestible and can form blockages (bezoars).
Key Food Choices	Low-fat dairy (yogurt, skim milk), lean protein, baked/broiled items.	Refined grains (white bread, crackers), peeled fruits, well-cooked vegetables.
Good Examples	Low-fat yogurt, skim milk, baked fish, scrambled eggs.	Saltine crackers, canned peaches, applesauce, white rice.
Foods to Avoid	Fried foods, fatty meats (sausage, bacon), high-fat dairy, pastries.	Nuts, seeds, raw fruits/vegetables with skins, whole grains, beans.
Key Symptom Reduction	Reduces early satiety, bloating, and feelings of fullness.	Prevents bezoar formation and abdominal pain associated with slow digestion.

Advanced Strategies and Professional Guidance

While dietary changes are a powerful tool, it is important to remember that they are part of a larger management strategy. Some individuals may find that their tolerance for snacks varies daily. Keeping a food diary can help identify specific triggers and track your tolerance levels. For severe cases, your doctor might recommend a temporary liquid-only diet to give your digestive system a rest. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, as they can provide personalized recommendations and ensure you meet your nutritional needs. They can also help with meal and snack planning to ensure a balanced intake of nutrients despite restrictions. For further information and resources, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a great resource.

Conclusion

Navigating snack choices with gastroparesis can be challenging, but focusing on the principles of low-fat and low-fiber intake is key. Prioritizing liquids and pureed foods, and carefully selecting refined solid snacks, can help manage symptoms and prevent nutritional deficiencies. By working closely with healthcare professionals and listening to your body, you can develop a snack routine that supports your digestive health and overall well-being. Regular monitoring of your diet and symptoms is the most effective approach to finding what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Low-fat and low-fiber snacks are recommended because both fat and fiber delay stomach emptying. For someone with gastroparesis, choosing these types of snacks helps food pass through the stomach more easily, which can reduce symptoms like nausea, bloating, and fullness.

Yes, but with precautions. Opt for fruits and vegetables that are peeled, cooked, or pureed to reduce fiber content. Examples include applesauce, bananas, canned peaches, or well-cooked carrots. Avoid raw produce and fruits with tough skins or seeds, like berries and oranges.

Yes, protein shakes are an excellent snack option, especially for those who struggle with solid foods. They are a liquid source of protein and calories that can be easily tolerated. Using low-fat milk alternatives and protein powder is best.

Plain, low-fiber crackers like saltines or water biscuits are generally well-tolerated. It is best to avoid whole-grain or multigrain crackers, which have higher fiber content.

Smooth, creamy peanut butter can be tolerated in small quantities (1-2 tablespoons) on low-fiber crackers. However, since it is high in fat, it should be consumed sparingly and monitored for individual tolerance. Chunky peanut butter with seeds and nuts should be avoided.

Not necessarily all dairy, but high-fat dairy should be limited. Low-fat or fat-free versions of yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk are often better tolerated. Lactose intolerance can also be an issue, so some people may need to choose lactose-free alternatives.

If you are having a flare-up or can't tolerate solids, prioritize liquids and purees. Options like nutritional supplements (e.g., Ensure), smoothies made from low-fiber ingredients, and strained soups can help you meet your nutrient needs during difficult periods.