Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining that causes symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Certain foods and beverages, including milk, can aggravate gastritis symptoms. The best milk choices for people with gastritis are low fat and nonfat varieties that are easier to digest.
What causes gastritis?
Gastritis has several potential causes:
- Infection with bacteria like H. pylori
- Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Severe stress, trauma, or burns
- Autoimmune disorders
H. pylori infection and NSAID use are among the most common causes. When the stomach lining becomes inflamed, digestive juices can damage it and cause sores called gastric ulcers.
How does milk affect gastritis?
Milk contains fats, proteins, and sugars like lactose that may irritate the inflamed stomach lining characteristic of gastritis, especially in people with lactose intolerance. Symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea can occur after drinking milk.
Full fat milk is higher in fat and other substances that take longer to digest. This may prolong symptoms of gastritis. Low fat or nonfat milk with little to no fat is gentler on the stomach.
Best milk choices for gastritis
Here are the best milk varieties to choose if you have gastritis:
Low fat or nonfat cow’s milk
Fat aggravates gastritis symptoms more than other components of milk. Low fat (1%) or nonfat milk contain little to no fat, making them easier to digest. Lactose-free milk may be even better tolerated since it eliminates lactose sugars.
Lactose-free milk
Lactose-free milk has the enzyme lactase added to break down lactose. This prevents the abdominal discomfort, gas, and diarrhea some people experience from lactose intolerance. Any fat-free or low-fat lactose-free milk should be well-tolerated.
Nut, soy, or rice milk
Nondairy milks made from almonds, cashews, soy, rice, coconut, and other plants contain no lactose at all. They are free of cow’s milk proteins that can trigger digestive symptoms in some people. Choose unsweetened varieties since added sugars could worsen gastritis.
Probiotic milk
Probiotic milk has added probiotic bacteria that may help ease gastritis and associated digestive issues like diarrhea. Look for brands with strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacteria.
What to avoid
You should avoid certain milk varieties when you have gastritis:
- Whole or 2% milk – high fat content
- Sweetened condensed milk – very high in added sugar
- Flavored milk – added sugars
- Buttermilk – may be difficult to digest
- Goat’s milk – contains proteins that some people have difficulty digesting
Tips for including milk in a gastritis diet
You can still include small amounts of low fat, lactose-free milk in your diet if you have gastritis. Here are some tips:
- Have milk with other foods or meals, rather than alone on an empty stomach
- Limit milk to 1 cup at a time
- Choose cold milk, which is easier to tolerate than hot
- Avoid milk if you have severe ulcers that cause bleeding
- Stick to only 1 dairy food at each meal
Sample diet plan with milk
Here is a sample one day gastritis diet plan incorporating low fat milk:
| Meal | Foods |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | 1 cup oatmeal cooked in water or almond milk, 1⁄2 cup blueberries, 6 oz low fat yogurt |
| Lunch | Tuna sandwich on white bread with lettuce and tomato, 1 cup low fat lactose-free milk |
| Dinner | 3 oz baked chicken breast, 1⁄2 cup cooked carrots, 1⁄2 cup cooked brown rice, 1⁄2 cup low fat cottage cheese |
| Snack | 1 cup low fat lactose-free milk, 5 whole grain crackers |
Conclusion
Low fat, lactose-free cow’s milk or nondairy milks are the best choices for people with gastritis. Avoiding high fat, sugary, and strongly flavored milk varieties can help prevent aggravating your gastritis symptoms. Having small amounts of appropriate milk with meals may be tolerated as part of an overall gastritis diet plan.