## Overview Gastritis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach. It manifests as pain in the abdomen, which can be both pinching and aching, with stool disorders, heartburn, nausea, and vomiting. Treating gastritis is important because it can lead to stomach ulcers. Always consult your doctor, who will prescribe medications and make dietary recommendations for your situation. There are several types of gastritis — the most common are hypoacid (with reduced acidity) and hyperacid (with preserved or increased acidity). The type of gastritis will determine dietary recommendations. > Avoid fatty, smoked, and spicy foods, alcohol, spices, carbonated drinks, and fresh pastries are prohibited for a patient with any type of gastritis. ## Diet for gastritis with hyperacidity When the stomach secretes a lot of hydrochloric acids, it is important to ensure that food does not stimulate its additional production. It is necessary to reduce the consumption of salt, which includes fast food. Foods should be boiled, baked, or steamed. And make sure you chew thoroughly before swallowing. __Allowed:__ lean meat (turkey and chicken), lean fish, hard-boiled eggs, milk, and dairy products (up to 1.5 % fat), soups, vegetable purees of pumpkin, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, and beets all types of fruits, tea and cocoa with milk, crackers, pastries, and honey. __Avoid__ fatty meat and fish, soups with meat broth, legumes, rye bread, chocolate and ice cream, citrus fruits and unripe fruits, and coffee. When remission is achieved, the principles of the diet should be continued, occasionally allowing small indulgences. ## Diet for gastritis with reduced acidity When not enough hydrochloric acid is produced, digestive function is disturbed and indigestion and fermentation in the stomach occur. The task of the diet is to increase acidity while avoiding irritation of the mucosa. __Allowed:__ lean meat and fish (can be fried, but do not use breading, it irritates the mucosa). Vegetable soups with lean meat broth. Eggs such as omelets and soft-boiled eggs. Milk should be limited, but dairy products such as cheeses and fat-free cottage cheese are essential. Fruit (except grapes and berries with seeds) without the skin. Tea with lemon, cocoa, coffee, and freshly squeezed juices in a dilution of 1:1. __Avoid__ canned meat and fish, pickles, lard, radishes, turnips, garlic, onions, mushrooms, and legumes. ## How and when to eat? It's not just what you eat that matters, but how you do it. Food should be thermally processed and fresh, not too cold and not too hot. Eat small meals 5–6 times per day, about once every 3 hours. Eat your last meal of the day three hours before bedtime. Your doctor may also recommend that you drink mineral water. Put simply, a diet for gastritis will help you gradually get used to eating healthy and correctly.