Can You Eat Shrimp with Gastroparesis? A Complete Guide

Gastroparesis is a chronic condition characterized by delayed gastric emptying without evidence of mechanical obstruction. It causes a range of digestive symptoms like nausea vomiting, bloating and early satiety. Dietary modifications are the first line of treatment for managing symptoms of gastroparesis. As such, people with gastroparesis are often confused about what they can and cannot eat. One common question is – can you eat shrimp with gastroparesis?

In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about eating shrimp with gastroparesis.

An Overview of Gastroparesis

Before we dive into whether shrimp is safe to eat with gastroparesis, let’s first understand the condition.

Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach takes too long to empty its contents into the small intestine This delay is not caused by any physical blockage but due to issues with the nerves and muscles controlling the emptying process

Some common causes of gastroparesis include:

• Diabetes – most common cause
• Viral infections
• Medications like narcotics and antidepressants
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus
• Nervous system diseases like Parkinson’s disease
• Surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve

The three main symptoms of gastroparesis are:

• Nausea and vomiting – cannot finish normal size meals
• Bloating and abdominal pain – upper abdomen may feel full and tight
• Early satiety – feeling full quickly when eating

Other symptoms include heartburn, lack of appetite, unintentional weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, and blood sugar fluctuations in diabetics.

Treatment for Gastroparesis

While there are medical treatments available for managing gastroparesis, dietary changes remain the foundation. Doctors usually recommend avoiding foods that are:

• High in dietary fiber – fiber is hard to digest
• High in fat – fat delays stomach emptying
• Raw fruits and vegetables – hard to digest
• Carbonated beverages – can cause bloating

Instead, the gastroparesis diet focuses on eating:

• Low-fiber foods
• Low-fat foods
• Protein-rich foods like eggs, chicken, tofu etc.
• Well-cooked fruits and vegetables
• Liquids and puréed foods

Small, frequent meals are recommended instead of three large meals. Eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, and remaining upright after eating can also help ease symptoms.

So with this context, let’s find out if shrimp is a suitable food choice with gastroparesis.

Can You Eat Shrimp with Gastroparesis?

Shrimp is one type of seafood that is usually well-tolerated in gastroparesis. Here are some key points:

• Shrimp is low in fat – With just 0.5 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving, shrimp is considered very low in fat. Its low-fat content makes it unlikely to delay gastric emptying.

• Shrimp is easily digestible – When properly cooked, shrimp provides high-quality, easily digestible protein. The soft flesh requires minimal digestion.

• Shrimp has a low fiber content – A 3-ounce serving of shrimp contains just 0.2 grams of dietary fiber. This allows for comfortable digestion in gastroparesis.

• Shrimp is packed with nutrition – Shrimp provides protein, selenium, vitamin B12, zinc, iron, and antioxidants. This makes it a nutritious choice for gastroparesis diets.

• Shrimp can be cooked in different ways – You can boil, grill, bake or sauté shrimp. It can be added to soups and rice dishes. This versatility allows easy incorporation into gastroparesis meal plans.

So in most cases, shrimp is unlikely to aggravate gastroparesis symptoms. It can be a delicious source of protein in gastroparesis-friendly menus.

However, do keep portion sizes small to moderate when first introducing shrimp. Some individuals may be more sensitive than others. Monitor your response and adjust serving sizes accordingly.

Tips for Eating Shrimp with Gastroparesis

Follow these tips to make shrimp easier to digest with gastroparesis:

• Opt for wild shrimp – Farmed shrimp tends to have higher fat content compared to wild varieties. Choose wild shrimp when possible.

• Remove the shell – Peel the shell before cooking as shells are fibrous and hard to digest. Devein the shrimp as well.

• Cook it thoroughly – Undercooked shrimp is more likely to cause indigestion issues. Cook until it turns pink and opaque throughout.

• Avoid coconut shrimp – The coating on coconut shrimp is high in fat. Best to avoid it or remove the coating before eating.

• Skip the sauce – Shrimp served with creamy, fatty sauces will be harder to tolerate. Have it plain, with a squeeze of lemon or light seasoning.

• Go easy on spices – Heavily spiced shrimp may irritate the stomach lining in gastroparesis. Use herbs and spices in moderation.

• Have it as a protein – Include shrimp as part of a balanced small meal with a starchy side and non-fibrous cooked vegetables.

• Try shrimp salad – Make a gastroparesis-friendly shrimp salad with low-fat mayonnaise, boiled shrimp, and soft cooked vegetables like zucchini or potatoes.

Sample Menu with Shrimp

Here is a sample gastroparesis-friendly menu with shrimp:

Breakfast:

• Scrambled eggs with grated cheddar cheese
• Banana smoothie

Lunch:

• Shrimp salad – mix boiled shrimp with mashed avocado, diced cooked potatoes, and lemon juice. Serve on soft bread or crackers.

Snack:

• Plain yogurt with honey

Dinner:

• Baked lemon shrimp – coat peeled shrimp with lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Bake until opaque.
• White rice
• Mashed sweet potato

Dessert:

• Soft pear puree

Shrimp Recipes for Gastroparesis

Here are some tasty shrimp recipes suitable for gastroparesis diets:

Simple Sautéed Shrimp

Ingredients:

• 1 pound peeled shrimp
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute.
3. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
4. Stir in lemon juice and serve.

Asian Shrimp Soup

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1-inch ginger, minced
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• Salt and white pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a soup pot, bring chicken broth to a boil.
2. Add carrots, celery and ginger. Simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes until opaque.
4. Remove from heat and stir in tamari, rice vinegar and seasonings.

Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

• 8 oz linguine, cooked al dente
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled
• 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pan, cook shrimp in a little olive oil for 2-3 minutes until opaque. Set aside.
2. In the same pan, combine yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and oregano. Heat through.
3. Toss sauce with linguine and top with shrimp.

The Bottom Line

In most cases, shrimp is unlikely to trigger gastroparesis symptoms when consumed in moderation. It provides nutritious protein that is usually well-tolerated. However, always listen to your body and avoid any foods that seem to worsen your symptoms. Work closely with your doctor or dietitian to build an individualized gastroparesis diet that optimizes nutrition while minimizing discomfort. With the right modifications, you can still enjoy flavorful foods like shrimp with this condition.