I had a similar problem. I think the main issue with me is that I drank the smoothie too quickly. Try slowing it down and see what happens. It was almost like it was too airy and gave me indigestion/gas.

Also I think there's something about chewing that stimulates salvia and signals to your stomach to get ready to break down food. Obviously drinking doesn't require chewing. I also tried to have a piece of toast before the smoothie and that seemed to help a little. But the last time I had a smoothie again I think I just drank it too fast and haven't had one since. I want to try again soon though and just take my time with it.

Yes jane spot on - the trick for a smoothie is to 1. Dont make it too dense and 2. The first sip should literally be a sip and wait for it to go down before attempting another. Definitely don't have it all at once - spread it out for about half an hour otherwise it will back up. I used to drink mine in one go but since my Gastritis has flared up again I now sip it and make it thinner in consistency. If you feel uncomfy after it rather than reaching for an antacid have a go at a cup of warm water sipped slowly. It pushes the smoothie where it should be - in the stomach otherwise it tends to start coming back up.

Yes definitely this can still be an issue for me. I think the stomach treats liquids very differently to solids. I think large quantities of liquid "sit" differently in the stomach & cause more distension. More acid is produced by more distension.
Also I think just mechanically the stomach treats liquids differently & can empty out of the stomach differently.

Yes, I agree with the other posts, liquids are an issue for me more so than food. Even bland liquids can be troublesome if I ingest a lot in one go especially on an empty stomach.

Same. Even rice with too much water gives me trouble. I've been researching like crazy and experimenting with my own body in these months I know the answer to tons of stuff.


It's all about enzymes. When I didn't have gastritis I could eat two big deli sandwiches and a coca cola or a big can of coca cola by itself and still feel my stomach empty.

The reason is when inflammation is present in your body (stomach), then you have less enzymes + your stomach muscles are injured, it can't deal with the high demand of liquid food. If you sip it, it will be the same as eating food but real slowly.

I can handle a 500 calorie meal in the worst of worst flares as long as i "sip" the food(chew slowly and a lot) the little enzymes left + the ones used in chewing + remaining "workin" muscles can do the job by the end of the meal my stomach is flat. If i don't do it, theres a belch fest after the meal and bloating.

When I didn't have gastritis I could eat an entire plate in less than 2 min and ask for "Seconds".

On a side note: I'm going to flare real bad the next few days I know this...I have to flare....or I'm goin to be kicked out of the house. Why? Because my grandma is making me soya milk everyday and I can't say no or throw it away after having everything handed to me for free...includin internet. I am really screwed, it's about 1/2 L everyday I have to use.

I have troubles drinking enough water, i was also told not to drink anything with a straw, which really bummed me out, love to drink water very cold out of a straw, said it put's lot's of air/gas in your stomach, Who knew. I have never had a smoothie yet, Q- does cup of soup count as a liquid?
Gusko- You are such a good grandson to be so polite to your grandma, sorry you have to drink all that.
Very good post, thanks and good luck

Feel so much better now, reading this thread!! I have exactly the same problem. I think in my case it is because the stomach treats liquid mechanically different to solid food! I am getting reflux and also bile reflux is aggrevated.

Gimmestrength, aside from the straw, very cold water is not good at all for gastritis. I have tried this and it is really really bad. I even warm up the oatly drink for my weetabix when it comes from the fridge. Not hot of course ;)

When my gastritis was at its worse, I would wake up in the night with my mouth bone dry, practically choking. It was actually quite ridiculous. Think it has all to do with this little phenomena. I was barely intaking any liquids throughout the day, given that even sips would upset my stomach.

Now, I can tolerate drinking a lot easier but I still have the issue of not being able to drink quickly. It's funny because my little brother (who doesn't have digestive issues and is now the big brother as a result) will slam down 30oz of a mass gainer shake before bed in the span of about 5 minutes.

It's kind of funny just how dramatic the body can react to certain things in different people.

Nonetheless, I think the suggestion of spreading it out over a longer period of time is an excellent suggestion.

When I first got gastritis I struggled with any amount of liquid. I think it fills our gut quickly. Not sure.

just had a can of condensed soy milk late at night + cereal two times...I do this sometimes to gain some weight back (~1000 calories) but ill think ill stop i dont feel safe with processed food even though it causes no problems with gastritis sometimes. I had no problems with it mostly because even though its liquid being very concentrated it is easier for the stomach to digest it...there is less surface area for the enzymes you have left and the muscles to work with(hard to mash solids bouncing around water i guess).

I did this same thing with a more diluted version of soy milk oh boy did I suffer of indigestion....scary stuff.

Same thing with porridge, if you make it too soupy it can be a problem. If I make my porridge soupy it is extremely hard to digest its like throwing water to your meal and i have pain/indigestion etc. Very concentrate oatmeal and well chewed very easy on the stomach. I did this as well today and I'm still hungry after a big bowl of oatmeal...if i made the same oatmeal soupy im sure i would have...nausea by now.