Gastroparesis Smoothies

When a slow stomach makes solid meals difficult, a smoothie can be one of the easiest ways to take in calories, protein, and fluids. Gastroparesis smoothies work because blended, liquid foods pass through the stomach more readily than solids, while still carrying real nutrition. This page explains how to build one and offers simple recipes to start from.

Why do gastroparesis smoothies work so well?

Liquids and blended foods are gentler on a stomach that empties slowly. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, when solid food is hard to tolerate, liquids and pureed foods can supply nutrition that the stomach handles more easily. A smoothie blends soft, low-fat ingredients into a smooth drink, which is why it is such a practical choice on harder days. The broader eating rules behind it are on our gastroparesis diet page.

How to build a gastroparesis smoothie

A good smoothie for a slow stomach starts with a thin, low-fat liquid base, such as skim or low-fat milk, a fat-free or low-fat yogurt, or a low-fiber juice. Add soft, easy-to-digest fruit: a ripe banana, canned peaches or pears, or smooth applesauce all blend well and are gentle. Keep the fat low by skipping high-fat add-ins like nut butters, avocado, and whole-milk dairy, since fat slows the stomach further. Blend until completely smooth, with no seeds, skins, or stringy pieces left, and thin with extra liquid if it is too thick. A small serving is easier to finish than a tall glass.

Gastroparesis smoothie recipes to try

These recipes use gentle, low-fat ingredients. Blend each until completely smooth, and adjust the liquid to the thickness you prefer.

• Banana and yogurt: a ripe banana, half a cup of low-fat yogurt, and a splash of skim milk, blended until creamy.
• Peaches and cream: canned peaches in juice, low-fat milk, and a spoonful of low-fat vanilla yogurt.
• Applesauce spice: smooth applesauce, skim milk, and a pinch of cinnamon for a light, warm flavor.
• Pear and cream of wheat: canned pears blended with a small amount of well-cooked, smooth Cream of Wheat to add gentle body.
• Mandarin and yogurt: drained canned mandarin oranges, low-fat yogurt, and skim milk for a bright, citrus blend.

For soft and blended meal ideas beyond drinks, see our gastroparesis recipes.

Easy gastroparesis breakfast ideas

Many people find their symptoms are lightest in the morning, which makes breakfast a good time to eat a little more. A smoothie is an easy morning meal, but it is not the only gentle option. Cream of Wheat or another low-fiber hot cereal made with low-fat milk, a softly scrambled egg, or low-fat yogurt with canned fruit all tend to sit well early in the day. Pairing a small solid breakfast with a smoothie can add up to a satisfying start without overloading the stomach.

How can you add protein to a smoothie?

Getting enough protein is a common challenge with gastroparesis, and a smoothie is a useful place to add some. Low-fat Greek yogurt blends in extra protein while keeping fat low, and skim milk adds protein along with the liquid base. Some people use a ready-made low-fat nutrition drink as the liquid for an extra boost. If you are considering a protein powder, ask your doctor or dietitian which type suits you, since some can be hard to tolerate. Keep the focus on low-fat sources, because high-fat add-ins slow the stomach.

Sources

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 using liquids and pureed foods when solid food is hard to tolerate and for the low-fat, low-fiber food guidance. 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 liquid-meal and smoothie 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.