Cooking with gastroparesis
Gastroparesis Recipes
Eating well with a slow stomach does not have to be bland. Here are easy, low-fat, low-fiber gastroparesis recipes, from smooth soups to soft proteins, that tend to go down gently.
Cooking with gastroparesis comes down to a few simple ideas: keep meals low in fat, low in fiber, soft, and small. The gastroparesis recipes on this page follow those rules, turning gentle, easy-to-digest ingredients into real meals, from smooth soups to soft proteins and comforting purees.
What makes gastroparesis recipes easy to digest?
A good recipe for gastroparesis is built from foods that leave a slow stomach quickly. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, low-fat and low-fiber foods empty fastest, and soft, well-cooked foods are easier to handle than firm or raw ones. In practice that means trimming fat, cooking vegetables until tender, removing skins and seeds, and blending or mashing when it helps. The reasoning behind these rules, including how much fat and fiber to aim for, is on our gastroparesis diet page; this page puts them to work in the kitchen.
Smooth soups and broths
Soups are among the easiest meals for a slow stomach, because blending does some of the digestion in advance. For a smooth carrot and potato soup, simmer peeled carrots and potatoes in low-fat broth until very soft, then blend until completely smooth and thin with extra broth as needed. A strained chicken and rice soup, made with skinless chicken, white rice, and well-cooked carrots in a low-fat broth, is gentle and adds protein; straining or blending it removes any stringy pieces. Keep portions small, around a cup, and skim off surface fat before serving. The choices that work best come from our list of gastroparesis foods to eat and avoid.
Soft, low-fat protein dishes
Protein can be hard to fit into a limited diet, so lean, soft sources matter. Poach skinless chicken breast gently in broth until tender, then shred or chop it small so it is easy to chew and swallow. Bake or steam mild white fish such as cod, sole, or flounder, which is naturally low in fat and flakes into soft pieces. Eggs are one of the most useful proteins here: scramble them softly, or bake them into a savory custard with low-fat milk. Season simply, since heavy sauces and fried coatings add the fat that slows the stomach.
Mashed and pureed sides
Soft sides round out a meal without adding strain. Mashed potatoes made with skim or low-fat milk are a reliable favorite; leave out the butter or use only a little. Cook squash, such as acorn or summer squash, until very soft and mash or puree it smooth. Skinless options like applesauce and canned peaches or pears, blended into a puree, make easy fruit servings. The aim with every side is the same: tender, smooth, and low in fat and fiber, so it passes through easily.
Gentle breakfasts and comfort foods
Mornings are often the easiest time to eat, so a soft breakfast can be a good way to start the day. Cream of Wheat or another low-fiber hot cereal made with low-fat milk is warm and filling, and a softly scrambled egg adds protein. For days when chewing is tiring, a blended drink can replace a meal; our page on gastroparesis smoothies has recipes built for exactly that. Smooth puddings, custards, and gelatin make gentle snacks or light desserts. To see how these dishes fit across a full day, our gastroparesis meal plan lays out a sample schedule.
How to adapt any recipe for gastroparesis
Most familiar recipes can be made gastroparesis-friendly with a few changes. Cut the fat by baking, poaching, or steaming instead of frying, and by choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy. Lower the fiber by peeling fruits and vegetables, removing seeds and stringy parts, and cooking produce until very tender rather than serving it raw. Make textures softer by chopping small, mashing, or blending, and thin thick dishes with broth or low-fat milk. Finally, shrink the portion, since a smaller serving leaves the stomach more comfortably than a large plate.
Keep reading
The pages that pair with these recipes.
Foods to Eat and Avoid
The full list of ingredients that tend to help and the ones to skip.
See the foodsSources
Reviewed by Owen Hastings. NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases), Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Gastroparesis (niddk.nih.gov), last reviewed January 2018, for the low-fat, low-fiber, small-frequent-meal, and blended-food guidance these recipes follow. Cleveland Clinic, Gastroparesis Diet: What To Eat and Avoid (health.clevelandclinic.org), for the specific foods that are easier and harder to digest. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (aboutgastroparesis.org), for practical meal and recipe ideas for gastroparesis. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and the recipes are general ideas, not a prescription. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about your own diet. Last reviewed June 2026.