Table of Contents:

1. What Is Gastroparesis?
2. Common Symptoms of Gastroparesis
3. Why Home Remedies Work
4. 1. Eat Small, Frequent Meals
5. 2. Chew Your Food Thoroughly
6. 3. Sit Upright After Eating
7. 4. Try Warm Fluids Between Meals
8. 5. Low-Fiber, Low-Fat Diet Modifications
9. 6. Aloe Vera Juice (With Caution)
10. 7. Natural Probiotics for Gut Balance
11. 8. Acupressure and Acupuncture
12. 9. Light Physical Activity After Eating
13. 10. Apple Cider Vinegar (Diluted)
14. 11. Peppermint Oil (Enteric-Coated)
15. 12. Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes
16. 13. Magnesium for Nerve and Muscle Function
17. 14. Manage Stress and Anxiety
18. Bonus Tips and Lifestyle Hacks
19. When to See a Doctor
20. Final Thoughts

What Is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is a condition where your stomach takes too long to empty its contents, even though there is no physical blockage. The muscles and nerves that normally help move food through the stomach are impaired, leading to delayed gastric emptying.

Read More: Gastroparesis

Common Symptoms of Gastroparesis Include:

Bloating, nausea, vomiting undigested food, feeling full too soon, stomach pain, acid reflux, poor appetite, weight loss.

While there’s no cure for gastroparesis, many people manage their symptoms well with the right diet, lifestyle adjustments, and natural remedies.

Why Home Remedies Can Help

Medical treatments for gastroparesis can be limited or come with side effects. Home remedies, especially when backed by science and tailored to your body, can offer daily relief, improve digestion, and prevent flares without harsh medications.

1. Eat Small, Frequent Meals

One of the most effective things you can do is eat 4–6 small meals a day instead of 2–3 large ones. Small meals are easier for your stomach to handle and reduce the burden on digestive muscles. They help avoid the “stuck” feeling that often comes with larger meals.

Even for someone who doesn’t have gastroparesis, eating a lot at once can cause some level of abdominal discomfort. Which can be avoided by just eating a little at a time, same quantity but in a paced version.

2. Chew Your Food Thoroughly

Sounds simple, but chewing your food well until it’s almost liquid makes digestion much easier.

Apparently many people with this condition tend to swallow their meal especially when they eat in a hurry. Think about it, digestion is a mechanical process that involves grinding or melting food into fine form so it can be easily absorbed while passing through the gastrointestinal tract.

Mechanical digestion (chewing) reduces the workload on your stomach and compensates for the delayed motility.

Try this: put down your fork between bites to slow down.

3. Sit Upright After Eating

Resist the urge to lie down or recline after meals. This was exactly what I used to do after eating a large amount of food at once, my belly would be distended and full of food and I’d need to rest my back on something. Instead of, sitting upright for at least 1–2 hours.

I used to make the mistake of lying down, usually on my back, which worsens this condition.

Gravity helps keep food moving through your stomach, while lying down may worsen reflux or bloating. Gentle walking after meals can boost movement further.

4. Ginger for Digestive Motility

Ginger is one of the most scientifically studied herbs for digestive relief. It stimulates gastric emptying and relieves nausea.

How to use:

• Ginger tea (1 tsp grated root steeped in hot water)
• Ginger capsules (standardized to 250 mg, up to 3x daily)
• Ginger chews

Note: Avoid sugary ginger candies.

5. Try Warm Fluids Between Meals

Warm fluids help soothe your stomach and improve gastric motility. Examples:

• Warm water with lemon
• Bone broth
• Clear vegetable soup
• Herbal teas (chamomile, fennel, peppermint)

Avoid: Carbonated drinks, cold fluids, or high-fat broths.

6. Low-Fiber, Low-Fat Diet Modifications

Too much fiber or fat can slow down digestion. Stick to low-residue foods and healthy low-fat options.

Best tolerated foods: Bananas, white rice, applesauce, egg whites, white bread, lean fish, soft-cooked carrots.

Avoid: Raw vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and fried foods.

7. Aloe Vera Juice (With Caution)

Aloe vera juice may soothe the GI tract and reduce inflammation. Some people report symptom relief.

How to use:

• Choose pure, decolorized aloe vera juice
• Start with 1–2 tablespoons before meals

Warning: It may cause loose stools or interact with medications.

8. Natural Probiotics for Gut Balance

Your gut microbiome plays a big role in digestion. Probiotics may support smoother digestion and reduce bloating.

Sources of probiotics:

• Yogurt with live cultures
• Kefir
• Sauerkraut (in small amounts)
• Probiotic supplements with strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium

9. Acupressure and Acupuncture

Studies have found acupuncture helpful for nausea, bloating, and stomach motility in gastroparesis patients.

DIY Tip:

• Apply pressure to the P6 acupoint (three finger-widths below your wrist crease) to relieve nausea.
• Wearable acupressure bands may help during flares or travel.

10. Light Physical Activity After Eating

A short, gentle walk (10–15 minutes) after meals can do wonders for gastric emptying.

Other options aside walking:

Slow yoga poses

Standing chores (washing dishes, light tidying)

Marching in place

Avoid: Intense workouts or anything that involves bending at the waist.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar (Diluted)

Though acidic, some people find that diluted ACV improves digestion.

How to use:

• 1 tsp ACV in a glass of warm water before meals
• Add a bit of honey if needed

Caution: Don’t try this if you have ulcers or acid reflux; it can irritate your gut.

12. Peppermint Oil (Enteric-Coated)

Peppermint relaxes smooth muscles and relieves cramps and bloating. Look for enteric-coated capsules to bypass the stomach and reduce risk of heartburn.

Note: Peppermint oil isn’t for everyone. Avoid if you have GERD.

13. Stay Hydrated with Electrolytes

Gastroparesis can cause poor absorption and even vomiting, which may deplete your electrolytes.

Best ways to hydrate: Coconut water, oral rehydration solutions, homemade electrolyte drinks (e.g., lemon + salt + honey + water).

Avoid sugary drinks and sodas.

14. Magnesium for Nerve and Muscle Function

Magnesium supports muscle contractions, including the muscles that move your food through the GI tract.

Try:

• Magnesium glycinate or citrate (start low: 100–200 mg/day)
• Leafy greens in small amounts (steamed spinach)
• Epsom salt baths

Bonus: Magnesium also eases anxiety, which worsens GI symptoms.

15. Manage Stress and Anxiety

Stress can dramatically slow down digestion by putting your body into “fight or flight” mode.

Natural stress relief ideas include:

• Deep breathing exercises
• Guided meditation
• Gentle yoga or tai chi
• Journaling your symptoms and triggers
• Talking with a therapist (especially for chronic illness support)

Bonus Tips and Lifestyle Hacks

• Blended or pureed meals may be better tolerated on flare days.
• Try meal spacing; wait 2-3 hours between meals to allow digestion to progress.
• Avoid smoking and alcohol, both of which delay stomach emptying.
• Sleep with your head elevated to reduce nighttime symptoms.
• Keep a symptom and food diary to find personal triggers.

When to See a Doctor

Home remedies are helpful, but they are not a substitute for medical care.

See your doctor if you experience:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting after every meal
• Severe bloating or pain
• Signs of malnutrition
• Blood in vomit or stool

You may need medications like metoclopramide, domperidone, or even feeding support in severe cases.

Final Thoughts

Living with gastroparesis can feel overwhelming, but you’re not powerless, with the right mix of home remedies, mindful eating, and gentle lifestyle changes, you can manage your symptoms and reclaim your quality of life naturally.

Every stomach is different. What works for one person may not work for another, so be patient as you experiment, track what helps, and talk to your doctor about your progress.

You deserve to feel better starting with your next meal.