Gastroparesis: What is it and how can nutrition help?
August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to raise awareness of a condition that can make eating and meeting nutritional needs challenging.
What is gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, occurs when the stomach takes longer than usual to empty food into the small intestine. Normally, the muscles of the stomach contract to mix food and move it through the digestive system. With gastroparesis, these muscles may not work properly, causing food to remain in the stomach for longer.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may include:
Nausea and vomiting, particularly after eating
Feeling full quickly or remaining full for a long time
Bloating
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Reflux or heartburn
Reduced appetite
Unintentional weight loss
These symptoms can make it difficult to eat enough food and fluids, potentially increasing the risk of malnutrition, dehydration and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
What causes gastroparesis?
The cause isn't always known. Gastroparesis can occur when the nerves or muscles responsible for stomach movement are affected. Possible causes include diabetes, stomach or bowel surgery, some viral infections, certain medications and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
When should you seek help?
If you regularly experience nausea, vomiting, early fullness, bloating or unexplained weight loss, speak with your GP. Diagnosis may involve blood tests and investigations such as a gastric emptying study, endoscopy or imaging, and you may be referred to a gastroenterologist.
Nutrition tips for managing gastroparesis
There isn't one diet that works for everyone. However, some dietary strategies may help reduce symptoms and improve nutritional intake:
Eat smaller meals more frequently:
- Try having 5–6 smaller meals or snacks throughout the day rather than a few large meals.Choose softer, easier-to-digest foods:
- Soft, well-cooked, mashed, pureed or liquid foods may be better tolerated.Eat slowly and chew thoroughly:
- Taking your time and chewing food well can make digestion easier.Consider your fibre intake:
- High-fibre foods can be difficult to tolerate for some people with gastroparesis. Your dietitian can help identify appropriate fibre sources and amounts without unnecessarily restricting your diet.Be mindful of high-fat foods:
- High-fat foods can further slow stomach emptying and may worsen symptoms for some people. Interestingly, liquid sources of fat may be better tolerated than solid high-fat foods.Prioritise fluids:
- Regular fluids are important, particularly if vomiting or poor intake is an issue.Focus on nutrition, not just symptom reduction:
- If you're struggling to eat enough, nourishing drinks, smoothies or oral nutrition supplements may help you meet your energy and protein requirements.
At Health Management Dietitians, we can help tailor your nutrition to your symptoms, preferences and nutritional needs — helping you eat as comfortably and confidently as possible while reducing the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
We understand that nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our Cairns, Atherton and Mareeba dietitians provide personalised, practical nutrition advice to help you reach your goals while still enjoying food.