{"id":124120,"date":"2021-01-20T09:34:21","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T15:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.granitepeaksgi.com\/?p=124120"},"modified":"2021-01-20T09:36:04","modified_gmt":"2021-01-20T15:36:04","slug":"managing-gastroparesis-how-to-eat-when-your-stomach-does-not-properly-empty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.granitepeaksgi.com\/managing-gastroparesis-how-to-eat-when-your-stomach-does-not-properly-empty\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing Gastroparesis: How to Eat When Your Stomach Does Not Properly Empty"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Ginger Bailey, RDN, CD<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Gastroparesis<\/em> is the medical term for when the stomach does not empty like it should. This is a condition often caused by some other type of illness or disruption in the body such as diabetes mellitus or a viral infection. Often it is due to the nerves not working correctly, impairing the firing of the muscles that move food along the digestive tract. This can lead to several bothersome symptoms, including nausea, bloating, sense of fullness, reflux, and in severe cases, vomiting. Many people who suffer from gastroparesis lose their desire to eat and end up suffering from malnutrition and unintentional weight loss.<\/p>\n

It is important to see a gastroenterologist to discover the cause of your gastroparesis to determine an accurate diagnosis and rule out other serious conditions. If you have been diagnosed with gastroparesis, you have probably been wondering, \u201cNow what do I do? How am I supposed to eat if my stomach doesn\u2019t empty?\u201d<\/p>\n

The good news is that if you are careful how<\/em> you eat, you can usually dramatically decrease your symptoms. That\u2019s because, with gastroparesis, your stomach will<\/em> eventually empty, just not at a normal rate.<\/p>\n

Not all foods digest at the same rate. So, if you understand what foods to eat and when, you can help your system function better.<\/p>\n

A Few Guidelines to Help:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Eat smaller amounts more frequently. Avoid putting a lot of food in your stomach at once.<\/li>\n
  2. Stay upright for 30-60 minutes after eating (if possible) to allow gravity to help pull the food through your system. A light walk, or any kind of gentle activity, can also help. Avoid sitting hunched over after eating.<\/li>\n
  3. Chew foods well so that your food is more broken down before it gets to your stomach. Blending foods (especially those high in fiber) can also be beneficial.<\/li>\n
  4. Drink water with meals to liquify the contents of your stomach.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    There are also a few types of foods you want to pay attention to, as they take longer to digest and will tend to delay the stomach emptying. This doesn\u2019t mean you should avoid them altogether, because they are an important part of a healthy diet. However, it can make symptoms worse if you consume a lot of these foods, especially at one sitting.<\/p>\n

    Some of these foods include:<\/p>\n