Dietary Recommendations for Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is characterized by symptoms and the confirmed delay of emptying of food from the stomach where no blockage is evident. In most individuals with gastroparesis, the cause of the disorder is not known. It also can occur as a result of several known conditions, especially in people with diabetes.  It is more common in women and can have a major impact on quality of life.

The treatment of patients with gastroparesis generally relies on:

• dietary modifications,
• medications that enhance gastric emptying, and
• medications that reduce nausea and vomiting. 

Dietary suggestions  for gastroparesis are based largely on clinical experience. More scientific studies are needed to demonstrate what foods are better tolerated than others by patients with gastroparesis.

It is recommended that anyone with gastroparesis seek dietary counseling with a doctor and Registered Dietician to help individualize nutrition therapy and maximize nutritional benefits.

Dietary recommendations are likely to be of greatest benefit to those with mild to moderate disease. They are also tried in patients with more severe gastroparesis to complement other medical treatments.  

Adapted from IFFGD publication #537 by Carol Rees Parrish, RD, MS; Edy Soffer, MD; and Henry P. Parkman, MD.