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Diet for esophagitis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Diet for esophagitis is the rules of nutrition that are necessary for the treatment and prevention of the disease. Let's consider the features of the diet, safe and harmful products, as well as recipes and a sample menu.
Esophagitis is an inflammation of the inner walls of the esophagus. It can be both acute and chronic. The causes of the disease can be different, for example, a fungal or viral infection, alcohol abuse or anatomical features of the body (weakness of the valve separating the esophagus and stomach).
The main symptoms are: heartburn after eating, nausea after eating, painful sensations in the upper abdomen and when swallowing food. Severe forms are characterized by the appearance of vomiting with bloody streaks, hoarseness of the voice. The disease is treated both with medications and with the help of dietary nutrition.
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Treatment of esophagitis with diet
Treatment of esophagitis with diet is one of the methods of therapy and prevention of the disease. Nutrition is based on limiting the amount of food and frequent meals (5-6 times a day). Overeating is prohibited, as this contributes to weakening of the valve, due to which gastric juice enters the esophagus, irritates and damages the walls of the organ, causing severe pain. Patients complain of nausea and vomiting, ulceration of the stomach and esophagus is possible.
When the first symptoms of illness appear, you should seek medical help. The doctor will prescribe a set of tests and examinations, after which an accurate diagnosis can be made. Based on the results of the studies, adequate treatment and diet are selected. The doctor will tell you how to behave, what you can eat and what you can’t. If patients do not seek medical help, this causes the disease to become chronic.
What is the diet for esophagitis?
What is the diet for esophagitis and how long should it be followed? The gastroenterologist recommends diet table No. 1 to almost all patients. Such nutrition is recommended for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, that is, for peptic ulcer, gastritis and, of course, esophagitis. The diet should be gentle, preventing damage to the mucous membrane.
The diet should be followed for about 3-5 months. Such a long period helps the ulcers to heal and restore the damaged mucous membrane, that is, to recover from the disease. Many will be transformed during the period of proper nutrition, lose weight, the skin will become clear of rashes, and the hair silky. The therapeutic diet should be followed after recovery, since the disease can return, since the true causes of the malaise are not amenable to therapy.
Diet for reflux esophagitis
Diet for reflux esophagitis is one of the main treatment methods, without it, drug therapy and other procedures are ineffective. When upset, gastric juice is thrown into the esophagus and irritates the walls of the mucous membrane. Belching and a burning sensation in the chest after eating appear.
As a rule, treatment is based on identifying the cause of the disease and eliminating it. But with reflux esophagitis, this method may not work. After all, it occurs due to underdevelopment of certain nerve endings or as a concomitant disease with gastritis or ulcers. Therefore, most doctors consider diet to be the most effective means of correcting the patient's condition during long-term treatment.
It is necessary to eat often, but in small portions. It is forbidden to eat products that increase acidity. After eating, it is not recommended to take a horizontal position. Since such a body position, with a weak valve between the stomach and the esophagus, allows gastric juice to pass through and irritates the esophagus.
Diet for esophagitis and gastritis
Diet for esophagitis and gastritis is a way to restore normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptoms of the disease are belching and painful sensations in the abdomen after eating. Nutrition involves avoiding fried, fatty, salty, spicy foods and foods that cause increased gas formation.
Particular attention should be paid to drinking. It is better to refuse carbonated drinks and sweet water with dyes. Preference should be given to natural freshly squeezed juices and herbal decoctions. The diet should include fresh fruits and vegetables, greens, dairy and whole grain products. It is better to eat often, but in small portions. One meal every 3-4 hours is enough. You cannot starve or overeat, as this aggravates the course of the disease and causes painful sensations.
Diet for erosive esophagitis
A diet for erosive esophagitis helps to get rid of unpleasant sensations after eating, belching and frequent painful hiccups. Without the necessary treatment, pain will appear when swallowing, causing nausea, discomfort behind the breastbone (most often occurs in a lying position), night cough, a pressing feeling in the upper stomach. Without therapy, serious complications are possible: bleeding and shortening of the esophagus, narrowing of the lumen, peritonitis, malignant tumors and even death.
In addition to dietary nutrition, you should follow the doctor's recommendations for drug therapy. You need to eat often, but little by little, avoid fasting and refuse late snacks. The last meal should be at least 3-4 hours before bedtime. It is forbidden to eat hot food, as it irritates the esophagus. If there are bad habits such as smoking or alcoholism, they also aggravate the pathological disorder and its symptoms.
Diet for GERD with esophagitis
Diet for GERD with esophagitis is a dietary recommendation that will help cope with the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Patients are prescribed dietary table No. 1, used for stomach lesions. Basic nutritional rules:
- You need to eat often, but in small portions; 4-6 meals a day is enough.
- The interval between meals should not be longer than 3-4 hours.
- Drink a glass of purified water 30 minutes before meals.
- Eat only warm foods, preferably boiled, steamed or baked.
- Do not overuse salt and various seasonings. Do not add mayonnaise, mustard, hot sauces or ketchup to dishes.
Following these simple rules will help restore the normal functioning of the body and gastrointestinal tract.
Diet for catarrhal esophagitis
A diet for catarrhal esophagitis is a diet that eliminates the painful symptoms of the disorder. This pathology can lead to swelling and hyperemia of the esophagus and the junction with the stomach. Most often, the disease occurs in lovers of spicy and smoked food and people who abuse pickles and marinated products. Symptoms cause dull, aching pain in the chest and stomach, discomfort when swallowing. In addition, nausea, hiccups and belching with air or a sour taste are possible.
Treatment begins with a course of medications and heartburn medications. Medicines for coating and protecting the gastric mucosa are mandatory. Patients are prescribed vitamin preparations. The diet should be rich in plant and protein foods. When composing a diet, it is recommended to adhere to the rules described in dietary table No. 1 according to Pevzner.
Diet for candidal esophagitis
A diet for candidal esophagitis is a nutritional complex to eliminate the disorder caused by a fungal infection. If there is a suspicion of the disease, then patients are prescribed esophagoscopy. During the procedure, a white film on the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus or a cheesy coating can be seen. Sensations with candidal disease, such as when food gets stuck in the larynx and esophagus. Vomiting and heartburn often appear.
Treatment begins in a hospital under the supervision of doctors. Nutrition is prescribed after a short fast (1-2 days) and is introduced gradually; in case of complications, feeding through a tube can be used. Diet No. 1 is recommended to achieve a therapeutic effect. It is rare to completely cure candidal esophagitis, since fungi live with us in symbiont. With weakened immunity, stress, malaise and general loss of strength, the disease can return. Try to stick to a healthy diet and get rid of bad habits.
Diet menu for esophagitis
The diet menu for esophagitis involves refusing many products. But don't be upset, because even with a limited food set, you can create a complete diet.
Breakfast:
- A glass of green tea, kefir or liquid yogurt.
- Buckwheat or oatmeal porridge with fruit.
Dinner:
- Soup with vegetable broth.
- Baked fish or chicken breast with vegetables.
- Fresh vegetable salad.
Afternoon snack:
- Baked apple.
- Fresh cottage cheese with a spoonful of sour cream.
Dinner:
- Creamy cauliflower soup.
- Steamed cutlet made from beef or chicken.
- Baked vegetables.
Second dinner:
- Banana with cottage cheese.
- Bran bread.
- A glass of kefir or warm milk.
Diet recipes for esophagitis
Esophagitis diet recipes help to diversify the diet with not only healthy but also tasty dishes. Let's look at several simple recipes that can be used for medicinal purposes:
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Pumpkin porridge
- Milk – 1 liter
- Pumpkin – 500 g
- Sugar – 150 g
- Butter – 20 g
- Raisins and dried apricots – 50 g
Peel the pumpkin, cut it, remove the seeds and cut it into small pieces. Boil it in milk until soft, add dried fruits. Grind the contents of the pan with a blender, add a little sugar and butter. Add more milk if necessary. This porridge is very good for the stomach, it does not irritate the mucous membrane. Pumpkin is a natural antioxidant, rich in vitamins and useful microelements.
Zucchini boat
- Fresh zucchini – 2-3 pcs.
- Hard cheese (low fat) – 100 g.
- Carrots – 1-2 pcs.
- Cauliflower – 200-300 g
- Corn – 50 g
- Eggs – 2 pcs.
- Sour cream – 100 g
Wash the zucchini and cut it in half. Carefully remove the middle and chop it. Cut the carrots and cheese into small cubes. Separate the cauliflower into florets. Mix all the ingredients, add eggs and a little sour cream. Spread the mixture over the zucchini boats. Bake everything in the oven at 180-200 degrees for 30-40 minutes. The boats will be very tasty and good for the stomach.
Spicy Grapefruit
- Pink grapefruit – 1-2 pcs.
- Honey – 50 g
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla sugar
Wash the fruit and cut it in half. Mix honey with cinnamon and vanilla sugar. Use a knife to make small cuts in the pulp and put the filling in them. Put the future dessert in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 180-200 degrees. The dish can also be cooked in a microwave oven at maximum temperature for 7-10 minutes.
Diet for esophagitis helps to cure inflammation of the esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. Therapeutic nutrition strengthens and heals, restores normal functioning of all organs and systems.
What can you eat if you have esophagitis?
What can you eat with esophagitis? This question arises for everyone who has been diagnosed with this disease. So, what is recommended to eat and how to cook food? Products should be thoroughly cooked. It is best to boil, bake or steam. Food rich in vitamins and microelements is healthy, it will nourish the body with strength and health.
Allowed products:
- Fruits and berries
- Vegetables, greens
- Cereals
- Fermented milk products
- Lean meats and fish
- Whole grain bread.
It is recommended to stick to fractional nutrition, drink enough water (up to 2 liters per day). Overeating and starvation are prohibited.
What should you not eat if you have esophagitis?
What you can't eat with esophagitis is a pressing issue for people with this disorder. Products should be chosen carefully, cooked with a minimum amount of salt and vegetable oil. It is better to give preference to boiled, baked or steamed food.
Prohibited products:
- Coffee
- Tomatoes
- Strong tea
- Spices (dill, parsley, cilantro, bay leaf)
- Eggplants
- Rich and rich broths and soups with potatoes
- Alcohol
- Chips, nuts
- Sweets
- Black bread and croutons
- Baked goods, especially yeast ones.
Patients are prohibited from eating foods that cause gas formation, increased acidity of gastric juice and irritation of the gastric mucosa.