12 Foods You Should Eat on a Gastroparesis Diet

2. Low-Fiber Fruits

Fiber can slow stomach emptying, which may worsen symptoms of gastroparesis such as bloating, nausea, and early fullness. Because of this, many gastroparesis meal plans limit total fiber intake to about 10 grams per day. Paying attention to the types of fruit you eat can help keep fiber intake within this range.

Fruits that are soft and free from skins, seeds, or tough textures are often easier for the stomach to handle because they contain less insoluble fiber and require less effort to break down. Examples include ripe bananas, soft melon, avocado, smooth applesauce, peeled apples or pears, and canned peaches or apricots packed in juice.

Cooked or canned fruit may be easier to digest than raw fruit because it becomes softer. Smooth fruit smoothies or strained juice without pulp may also be tolerated in small amounts because they need less chewing and may move through the stomach more easily. When choosing canned fruit, select options packed in juice rather than syrup when possible.

3. Low-Fiber Veggies

Vegetables that contain less fiber and have a softer structure are usually better tolerated because they place less work on the stomach during digestion. Removing skins, seeds, and tough stalks can further reduce the amount of fiber your stomach must process, since these parts are often harder to break down.

Cutting vegetables into small pieces and cooking them well may make them easier to digest because they soften more evenly. Steaming, boiling, or baking can help soften plant fibers. Some people also tolerate vegetables better when they are blended into soups or purees instead of eaten in solid pieces.

Smooth textures often move through the stomach more easily, especially when symptoms are active. Vegetables that are often easier to digest include carrots cooked until soft, green beans without strings, and zucchini without skin. Well-cooked spinach, mashed pumpkin or butternut squash, and white or sweet potatoes without skin are also common options.

4. Bread and Grains

Refined grains are often easier for the stomach to digest because they contain less fiber and break down more readily during digestion. Foods such as white bread, plain bagels, or English muffins made from refined flour are commonly tolerated choices. Saltine crackers and other low-fiber crackers may also work well for small meals or snacks.

White rice and regular pasta are additional options that many people tolerate well. Cooking these foods until they are soft can make them easier to digest because softer textures require less effort for the stomach to process. Some breakfast cereals contain added fiber, so reading labels carefully may help when selecting them.

Rice-based or corn-based cereals that are low in fiber are usually better choices. Instant or finely milled hot cereals may also be easier to digest than coarse whole grains. Eating smaller portions at a time may also make these foods easier to tolerate. Chewing each bite thoroughly can help the stomach break down food more efficiently.

5. Low-Fat Cakes and Puddings

Desserts that are low in fat and have a soft texture are often easier for the stomach to digest because they require less chewing and break down more easily. Soft desserts such as low-fat yogurt, custard, rice pudding, or gelatin are commonly tolerated choices.

Simple baked items such as plain sponge cake, angel food cake, or low-fat muffins may also work well when eaten in small portions. Freshly baked items with a soft texture are often easier to tolerate than dense or dry desserts because they break apart more easily during digestion. Desserts with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or coconut may be harder to tolerate because these ingredients take longer to break down.

Heavy frostings and thick cream toppings may also worsen symptoms because of their higher fat content. If you would like fruit with dessert, choose soft options such as stewed or canned fruit without skins. Eating sweets slowly and in small portions may improve tolerance. Some people also find that having dessert earlier in the day rather than late at night helps reduce discomfort.

6. Ground or Pureed Meats

You still need enough protein each day, even when your stomach empties slowly. Ground or pureed meats are often easier to digest than large pieces because tough or dry meat may stay in the stomach longer and take more effort to break down.

When meat is ground, minced, or blended, it is divided into smaller pieces that the stomach can process more easily. Choose lean options such as ground chicken, turkey, or lean beef. Cooking methods such as baking, boiling, steaming, or slow cooking can help keep the meat tender and easier to tolerate. Avoid frying, since added fat can slow stomach emptying.

Blending cooked meat with broth, gravy, or a mild sauce can create a smoother texture and add moisture, which may make the food easier to swallow and process. For people with stronger symptoms, a smooth, lump-free texture may feel more comfortable. Examples include minced chicken mixed with a light sauce, lean ground turkey cooked until soft, slow-cooked beef blended with broth, or pureed fish without skin or bones.

7. Hot Cereals

Hot cereals can be a helpful option when following a gastroparesis diet because their soft, moist texture is usually easier for the stomach to process than dry or high-fiber foods. Choosing refined-grain cereals such as cream of wheat, cream of rice, and smooth corn-based cereals may improve tolerance because they contain less fiber.

Plain oatmeal made from quick oats may also be easier to handle than steel-cut or coarse oats. Cooking cereal until very soft and adding enough water or milk helps keep the texture thin and smooth, which may improve comfort during digestion.

Thick or sticky cereal may remain in the stomach longer and cause discomfort. If tolerated, small amounts of mashed ripe banana or applesauce may be mixed in to add flavor and nutrients. Preparing hot cereal with milk or a milk alternative can also add extra calories and protein if dairy is tolerated.

8. Vegetable Juice

Vegetable juice can work well on a gastroparesis diet because liquids usually leave the stomach faster than solid foods. When skins, seeds, and pulp are removed, the fiber content becomes lower, which may help reduce symptoms such as bloating and early fullness.

Choosing juices made from lower-fiber vegetables may improve tolerance. Options such as peeled carrots, peeled cucumbers, and well-cooked beets that have been blended and strained are commonly used. Small amounts of spinach may also be included if it is blended well and strained. Avoid juices that contain pulp or added raw vegetable chunks.

Vegetables that tend to cause gas, such as cabbage or large amounts of broccoli, may increase bloating and be harder to tolerate. If additional calories are needed, vegetable juice may be blended with a small amount of protein powder or a lactose-free milk alternative.

9. Crackers and Eggs

Crackers and eggs can provide simple, easy-to-digest nutrition when you live with gastroparesis. This combination may work well as a light meal or snack because it usually does not feel heavy in the stomach. Choosing plain, low-fiber crackers may improve tolerance.

Saltines or basic crackers made from refined white flour contain little insoluble fiber, which allows the stomach to process them more easily. Eggs provide protein in a soft form that the stomach can often handle more easily than many meats. Scrambled, poached, or soft-boiled eggs are commonly better tolerated than fried eggs because they contain less added fat.

One scrambled egg paired with four to six plain crackers can provide a light meal or snack that is easier to tolerate. Eggs also provide important nutrients such as vitamin B12 and iron. For people who struggle to maintain weight, this simple combination can add protein and calories without requiring a large meal.

10. Multivitamin Supplements

When food intake stays limited, it may become harder to obtain enough vitamins and minerals from diet alone. People who feel full quickly, vomit often, or avoid many solid foods may be more likely to develop nutrient gaps. Additional nutritional support may be helpful during ongoing weight loss, poor appetite, frequent vomiting, a mostly liquid diet, or diabetes with unstable blood sugar levels.

A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement may help fill these gaps. Most supplements are designed to provide close to 100 percent of the daily value for common nutrients rather than very high doses. Some people may also require specific nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, or calcium. Blood tests can help determine whether these nutrients are low and guide appropriate supplementation.

Taking a multivitamin with a small meal or snack may help reduce stomach discomfort. If tablets are difficult to swallow, chewable or liquid forms may be easier to use. It is important to speak with a healthcare professional or dietitian before starting any supplement to ensure it fits your nutritional needs and does not interfere with your care.

11. Small Meals

When you have gastroparesis, your stomach empties food more slowly than normal. Large meals can remain in the stomach longer and may increase discomfort. Eating smaller meals throughout the day can help reduce this strain on the stomach. Instead of three large meals, aim for four to six smaller meals spread across the day.

Smaller portions stretch the stomach less and may allow food to move through the digestive system more smoothly. Spacing meals about two to three hours apart may also help improve comfort by reducing the chance of overloading the stomach at one time. Using smaller plates or pre-portioning your food can make it easier to control serving sizes. It may also help to stop eating when you feel satisfied rather than completely full.

Examples include a small bowl of low-fiber cereal with milk, a cup of yogurt, or half of a sandwich made with white bread. Later in the day, options such as soup, mashed potatoes, or a soft protein like scrambled eggs may also be easier to tolerate.

12. Chewing Food Properly

Chewing food thoroughly can help support digestion when you have gastroparesis. Because the stomach empties food more slowly than normal, breaking food into smaller pieces in the mouth can make it easier for the stomach to process and move it along.

Taking small bites and chewing each bite until it feels smooth before swallowing may improve tolerance. This step is especially important for foods such as meats, breads, and cooked vegetables, which require more mechanical breakdown. Food that is not chewed well may remain in the stomach longer because larger pieces take more time to break down. This can increase symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and a feeling of fullness.

Choosing softer foods may also make meals easier to manage. Options such as ground meats, mashed potatoes, yogurt, soups, and smoothies require less chewing, though chewing slowly can still support better digestion. Simple habits can help improve chewing. Placing a small amount of food in the mouth at one time, chewing slowly, and putting your fork or spoon down between bites can encourage more thorough chewing.