Gastroparesis

mynameisjonas

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I track everything I eat including the nutrients to make sure I am getting enough of everything. I don’t drink juice. My sugar intake is about half of the minimum recommended daily amount. I eat a lot of lean meats and eggs. I do eat toast because it is one of the easiest to digest. Whole fruits are a problem because of the fiber. When you have gastroparesis, fiber can slow down the digestion significantly. The two things that are the worst for this condition are fiber and solid fats.

Anything with flour typically slows down your digestion. Bread turns into glue in your intestines and slows down digestion. Take some bread run it over some water and you’ll see after a while it turns into a gluey blob.

Are you able to eat the following foods:
eggs, bell pepper, onion, avocado, cucumber, baby tomatoes, lemons?
 

FriendlySpartan

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I agree. My wife made the same comment. It does make eating a lot of fruits and veggies more difficult. I am slowly learning how to adjust.
Simple carbohydrates will be the best bet for prepared foods and you are on the right track with various pasta dishes. Also if you haven’t tried protein shakes yet it is something I recommend to patients with this and other similar conditions. Make sure you check the label as many have added fat for flavor where as some are mostly protein but most are very easy to digest and the ones made for seniors like ensure even more so.

I also highly recommend going to a registered dietitian as soon as possible. They should be able to provide a ton of resources including recipes and also will be able to plan things based on your reactions to food post diagnosis
 

CloneIce

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I was diagnosed with gastroparesis a few weeks ago. I had to change my diet to avoid anything with high fiber, high fat, fried foods or anything just difficult to digest. Is there anyone else with this condition? If so, I was wondering what ideas you have come up with for meals?
Sounds like you need a low fiber, low residue diet. When I had a diverticulitis attack, I had to go on one while my colon healed. My MVP foods were -

Fish and chicken, Turkey
Sweet potatoes- I love them baked.
Lots of eggs. Make hard boiled eggs for snacks. Great source of calories and protein with no fiber.
Tuna. Sandwiches, melts etc.
Green beans. Mashed potatoes. Cooked carrots.
Yogurt
Bananas.
Pasta.
White bread.
Peaches.
Corn flakes and Chex.
Bourbon.

One meal I love - Turkey roast, mashed potatoes gravy on white bread

Salmon with Two big ass sweet potatoes

Lunch - Turkey or chicken sandwich, yogurt, fruit cup (skinless), two or three hard boiled eggs.

you’ll be losing some weight but if you eat alot of these it doesn’t have to be drastic. Also, keep up your exercising. I came out of a rough spell, as my strength came back I cut a ton of time off my distance running pace. Came out feeling great.

You can get through this and flourish.
 
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HoopsTournament

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Anything with flour typically slows down your digestion. Bread turns into glue in your intestines and slows down digestion. Take some bread run it over some water and you’ll see after a while it turns into a gluey blob.

Are you able to eat the following foods:
eggs, bell pepper, onion, avocado, cucumber, baby tomatoes, lemons?
That is not true, but thanks for contributing. And I am able to eat most of what’s on the list but it has to be cooked. Lemons are not recommended.
 

HoopsTournament

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Sounds like you need a low fiber, low residue diet. When I had a diverticulitis attack, I had to go on one while my colon healed. My MVP foods were -

Fish and chicken, Turkey
Sweet potatoes- I love them baked.
Lots of eggs. Make hard boiled eggs for snacks. Great source of calories and protein with no fiber.
Tuna. Sandwiches, melts etc.
Green beans. Mashed potatoes. Cooked carrots.
Yogurt
Bananas.
Pasta.
White bread.
Peaches.
Corn flakes and Chex.
Bourbon.

One meal I love - Turkey roast, mashed potatoes gravy on white bread

Salmon with Two big ass sweet potatoes

Lunch - Turkey or chicken sandwich, yogurt, fruit cup (skinless), two or three hard boiled eggs.

you’ll be losing some weight but if you eat alot of these it doesn’t have to be drastic. Also, keep up your exercising. I came out of a rough spell, as my strength came back I cut a ton of time off my distance running pace. Came out feeling great.

You can get through this and flourish.
Thanks. A lot of these are on my diet. For the tuna melts, what did you melt on it?

I do eat eggs almost every day.

I have lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks. I wanted to lose weight anyway, but that is a high rate. I still want to lose 20 more pounds to hit my ideal weight. My concern is making sure I have enough calories so I don’t lose more.
 

Donqluione

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Thanks. A lot of these are on my diet. For the tuna melts, what did you melt on it?

I do eat eggs almost every day.

I have lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks. I wanted to lose weight anyway, but that is a high rate. I still want to lose 20 more pounds to hit my ideal weight. My concern is making sure I have enough calories so I don’t lose more.
If you need some variety at some point, venison is a red meat that is very lean, since deer hold fat in separate layers rather than marbled like beef. In fact that takes more careful preparation, is easy to over-look and make tough. Can't legally buy, but if you know any hunters they'd probably be willing to share.

Some don't like the taste, depends on the consumer, somewhat on how it was handled, and on the animal ie doe vs buck and age. We don't eat old bulls or 6 yo chickens, but that tends to be how deer are harvested. Marinating helps if taste is an issue for you, try to get some of the blood out. Beer is a very simple marinade that works pretty well.

Be aware that most "venison burger" will have had beef or pork fat added because the venison doesn't have fat, so fat is added to help the ground meat hold together and so it can be prepared like typical burger.
 

CloneIce

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Thanks. A lot of these are on my diet. For the tuna melts, what did you melt on it?

I do eat eggs almost every day.

I have lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks. I wanted to lose weight anyway, but that is a high rate. I still want to lose 20 more pounds to hit my ideal weight. My concern is making sure I have enough calories so I don’t lose more.
For Tuna I started with just the no or low fat olive oil mayo dressing and about 4 oz tuna. After my stomach felt better I added a slice of cheese. Sometimes I would just eat the tuna Mayo mix with a spoon or on crackers. Luckily I really like fish in general and tuna is real easy to make for a meal or snack. I prefer the sealed plastic package to the can and prefer the albacore white which is healthier and iike the taste and consistency better.

One thing I forgot - crackers. If you can eat peanut butter have some with it, if not eat them plain. Just a few here and there will help.

Also, biscuits and gravy. And for me personally sweet potatoes were key. Packed full of calories and easy to make. They also really helped me with regularity and consistency of pooping. I still bust out the potatoes, 8 oz fish, and green beans meal when my stomach feels iffy.

If you are in pain or real sensitive. Mashed potatoes and gravy can be huge. But it sounds like you are already a couple weeks in so hopefully you are able to tolerate more.
 
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carvers4math

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I have a friend with this. She does smoothies and will even throw proteins like chicken in the blender. I think she also tries to eat smaller meals but more of them.

She eats fruits and veggies that you don’t have to chew much and quick oats.
 
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BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
I have a friend with this. She does smoothies and will even throw proteins like chicken in the blender. I think she also tries to eat smaller meals but more of them.

She eats fruits and veggies that you don’t have to chew much and quick oats.
Veggies you don't have to chew, much? You mean like softer ones like cucumbers or so? Trying to think of the non-firm ones that would fall in that area.
 

Rabbuk

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Veggies you don't have to chew, much? You mean like softer ones like cucumbers or so? Trying to think of the non-firm ones that would fall in that area.
I throw sweet peas and green beans in my smoothies
 
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BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
I throw sweet peas and green beans in my smoothies
I thought you said sweet potatoes at first. I'm trying to imagine what that would taste like. I know my kids were not fond of the baby food that was sweet potatoes but maybe that is just them.
 

BallSoHard4Cy

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Gastroparesis is the slowing down of emptying of the contents of your stomach, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and bloating. As others have mentioned, a good thing to start with is diet control. Low fat is a great way to go. However, there are some other things you can try.

I won't assume anything about you, but one of the most common things I see in patients with gastroparesis is Type II Diabetes, so if you have that, the same advice is true. Maintain good glycemic control, weight loss, etc.

Typically, you will need medication at some point. Most people do. Talk to your doctor about metoclopramide.
 
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FriendlySpartan

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Gastroparesis is the slowing down of emptying of the contents of your stomach, leading to symptoms of nausea, vomiting, early satiety, and bloating. As others have mentioned, a good thing to start with is diet control. Low fat is a great way to go. However, there are some other things you can try.

I won't assume anything about you, but one of the most common things I see in patients with gastroparesis is Type II Diabetes, so if you have that, the same advice is true. Maintain good glycemic control, weight loss, etc.

Typically, you will need medication at some point. Most people do. Talk to your doctor about metoclopramide.
More excellent advice right here. I was going off the assumption that you weren’t diabetic since it wasn’t mentioned but if you are this is an excellent medication you should have a conversation with your physician about.
 

Gorm

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A good friend of mine thought he had Gastroparesis for years. Turned out it was CHS from his chronic use of cannabis, which has almost the exact same symptoms. :(
 

FriendlySpartan

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A good friend of mine thought he had Gastroparesis for years. Turned out it was CHS from his chronic use of cannabis, which has almost the exact same symptoms. :(
Someone wasn’t being honest with their physician then. While CHS is rare the symptoms are quite different especially for severe cases of gastroparesis. CHS occurs quite randomly and we have no idea why it effects certain individuals but if someone stops taking cannabis for 7-10 days their symptoms completely go away. Should be one of the first things a physician discusses if someone presents with those symptoms and admits to being a frequent cannabis user.
 
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