Can You Eat Shrimp with Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a condition where the stomach empties into the small intestine slower than normal This can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, bloating, and early fullness when eating Diet and nutrition changes are often the first line of treatment for managing gastroparesis. But with the condition affecting stomach emptying, it can be confusing to know which foods are easier to digest and which should be avoided. In this article, we’ll specifically look at whether shrimp is a good option for the gastroparesis diet or not.

Overview of Gastroparesis

First let’s review some key points about gastroparesis

• It is caused by damage to the vagus nerve controlling stomach muscles.

• Symptoms are related to delayed stomach emptying.

• Dietary changes can help manage symptoms.

• Smaller, more frequent meals may be better tolerated.

• Well-cooked fruits and veggies are preferred over raw.

• High fat, high fiber foods may worsen symptoms.

The goal with diet is to choose foods that empty from the stomach easily without too much excess fiber or fat that could slow digestion. This helps reduce symptoms like nausea, vomiting, reflux, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Is Shrimp Easy for Gastroparesis?

Shrimp is low in fat and contains no fiber, since it is an animal protein. This makes it easier to digest than fatty meats or fibrous plant foods. Here are some factors to consider with shrimp and gastroparesis:

• Low Fat – The low fat content won’t delay stomach emptying.

• No Fiber – No plant fiber to potentially aggravate the stomach.

• Low Chew – Shrimp don’t require much chewing to break down.

• Allergen Free – Usually safe for common food allergies.

• Soft Texture – The delicate texture avoids irritation compared to meats with tough chewy textures.

So in general, shrimp tend to be one of the better protein options for gastroparesis. The ease of breakdown and digestibility make shrimp a suitable addition to a gastroparesis diet.

Tips for Eating Shrimp with Gastroparesis

Here are some tips to follow when incorporating shrimp if you have gastroparesis:

• Remove the shell, tail, legs and vein to make it less fibrous and easier to chew and digest

• Cook the shrimp thoroughly until opaque to avoid any food poisoning risks

• Choose mild seasonings and limit spicy sauces or marinades which could irritate

• Avoid crumb coatings or batter which can slow digestion

• Pair with low fiber grains like white rice or quinoa instead of breads

• Balance smaller 2-3 oz portions of shrimp with non-starchy veggies and healthy fats

Properly peeled, cooked, seasoned and portioned shrimp can be a great protein choice as part of an overall gastroparesis diet.

Low Fiber Gastroparesis Recipe Ideas with Shrimp

Here are some gastroparesis-friendly recipe ideas featuring peeled, deveined shrimp:

• Shrimp quinoa stir fry with carrots, bell pepper, and scallions
• Coconut shrimp soup with mushrooms and spinach
• Lemon garlic shrimp over white rice
• Shrimp & veggie kebabs with white rice
• Shrimp tacos on corn tortillas with lettuce, tomato, avocado
• Shrimp pasta with olive oil, garlic, and parsley

Get creative mixing shrimp with vegetables, herbs, spices, healthy fats, and easy-to-digest grains or starch sources. This adds variety to your diet within the guidelines of a low fat, low fiber gastroparesis meal plan.

Should Some Gastroparesis Patients Avoid Shrimp?

While shrimp is often well-tolerated, there are cases where it may still cause symptoms for some people with gastroparesis.

Some potential reasons shrimp may need to be avoided include:

• An allergy or sensitivity to shellfish. Allergies can exacerbate gut issues.

• Spicy seasonings aggravating the stomach – opt for mild flavors.

• Fatty cooking methods like deep frying or cooking in high fat sauces.

• Eating large shrimp portions – stick to 2-3 oz per meal.

So people with known shellfish allergies or sensitivities should avoid shrimp. For others, it comes down to trial and error to see if small portions of mild shrimp dishes exacerbate symptoms or not.

Other Shellfish Options for Gastroparesis

In addition to shrimp, some other lower fat shellfish can also work well for gastroparesis meals:

• Flounder, tilapia, or sole – mild white fish that flakes easily
• Crab meat – sweeter flavor and tender meat
• Lobster – lean and low fiber when removed from the shell
• Clams, oysters, scallops – tender and naturally low fat

Follow the same tips in preparing these as you would shrimp – removing tough portions, cooking thoroughly, and pairing with veggies over easy-to-digest grains or starches. This allows you to incorporate a variety of lower fat seafood into your diet.

The Bottom Line