Gastroparesis Diet? Anyone tried it?

[Fluffysmom]

I saw my gastroenterologist today, and after describing the issues I continue to have as well as what I've been dealing with well before my colonoscopy and polyp removal, she decided to send me back for blood work and an abdominal CT.

She also suggested that part of my problem might be gartroparesis, and gave me a hand-out called "Gastroparesis Diet for Delayed Stomach Emptying".

Step 1 DIET consists of liquids, which usually leave the stomach quickly by gravity alone.  Liquids prevent dehydration and keep the body supplied with vital salts and minerals (gatorade, broth, and plain saltine crackers)

Step 2 DIET provides additional calories by adding a small amount of dietary fat - less than 40 gm each day.  For patients with gastroparesis, fatty foods and oils should be restricted, because they delay stomach emptying.  However, patients at the 2 level are usually able to tolerate this amount.

Step 3 DIET is designed for long-term maintenance.  Fat is limite to 50 gm per day, and fibrous foods are restricted because many plant fibers cannot be digested.j

It goes on to say that the patient will need to take a multivitamin.

OK, at the best, at Step 3, I'll be allowed skim milk & it's products, low-fat cheese, broth or soup with noodles and soft vegetables (not even over-cooked celery, because of the fiber), fruit juice and canned fruit without skins, almond butter (I don't do peanut!), no more than 2 Tbsp. a day, small (2 oz. servings) of poultry or fish (I'm allergic to eggs and don't eat even lean ground beef).  As for breads and grains, it's white bread and low fiber cereal (no oatmeal!), cream of wheat, pasta, white rice, low-fat crackers.  Vegetables must be well-cooked without skins; tomato sauce must be strained.  

Small amounts of hard candies, puddings & custards made from skim milk, frozen yogurt, fruit ice, gelatin, ice milk, jelly, honey, syrups.

all of these are in serving sizes like 1/2 a cup.

Sample dinner, 2 oz. baked chicken, 1/2 cup white rice, 1/2 cup cooked beets, 1 dinner roll, 1/2 cup skim milk, 2 tsp. margerine.

I'm sorry, but can a person be healthy on this?  All white bread and mushy fruits and veggies, very little fiber?!!

Oh, sample breakfast:  1/2 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup cream of wheat, 2 tsp sugar, 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 slc white toast, 1 tsp margerine, 1 Tbsp. jelly.

A sample breakfast for me is 3/4 cup pumpkin and flax seed granola, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, and if I'm hungry enough, a banana.

I love vegetables of all sorts, wonderful stews with beans and multiple veggies.  This diet says no to beans because of the skins.  Curries with garbanzoes.  I never put margerine on my whole wheat toast, and rarely any jam or jelly.  

I never drink sugary beverages, and don't consume artificial sweetener.

I suppose I could try it to see if I feel better.

My abdominal CT hasn't been scheduled yet, but she said if it shows nothing, she would schedule me for some kind of swallowing something test to see how slowly things actually move; can't remember what she called it.

What a day!  I'll post some of my day elsewhere, as this is long enough.

So, has anyone tried this; does anyone need to eat like this and still feels well?

Kathy

[Lulu54]

Hi dorightranch and welcome.  

Kathy is not here very often but if you click on her name you can leave her a message.  I do know she is very active over on the CAT forum.  She would be thrilled to share her experiences with you.

Also, we have other people here who are following a gastroperisis diet - I am beginning to understand this is not an unusual problem with MSers.

I hope we see you around more - there are lots of helpful people here.

[dorightranch]

Kathy, I don't know if you are still around this forum or not.  I think I may have gastroparesis.  After reading your post I am wondering how things have gone for you?  

I have Multiple Sclerosis and I have read that gastroparesis can go with MS.  

[Lulu54]

Kathy, this certainly flies in the face of everything we have been told about a healthy diet of fruits, nuts and grains.  You might give it a try and see if it works for your.

my best,
Lulu