alternatives to peppers?

Question

my husband was recently diagnosed with gastro paresis which makes it hard for him to digest different food. Certain foods cause episodes of excruciating pain for about 48 hours. We have found that his biggest triggers are peppers and legumes. Is there anything that we can substitute in recipes? most spices are ok and he can handle sweet peppers

Answer

my mom can do raw tomotos but not stewed wierd huh?....if it is texture you are looking for I would try broccli stalks squash , green beans and carrots... bachoi maybe jicima

Answer

I also have gastroparesis and agree with Suzigirl. He may find some foods okay one day but horrible the next. I would also suggest he keep a food journal to pinpoint all of his trigger foods. 

To answer your question, I would substitute sweet peppers for the regular peppers. That shouldn't be so bad. You could also try ground peppers in place of whole for flavor. For instance, I often will add a bit of chipotle powder to recipes in place of a chipotle pepper, since I can't eat peppers of any kind. It is not at all the same, and I wouldn't suggest you do this in a recipe where peppers are the main ingredient, but it will still add a bit of the original recipe's flavor.

Your husband is lucky he can still eat sweet peppers, so take advantage of that! I can count on my fingers how many foods I can stomach, and they are mostly beige mushy things.

As to legumes, I would avoid them altogether for him. They not only cause him stomach pain but can also get "stuck" in his gut and cause bezoars. It is recommended gastroparesis sufferers avoid high fiber foods, but especially those that are also fibrous in texture like oranges, broccoli, etc. 

Good luck to him.

ETA: You could also try cooking and then pureeing the peppers. Some people with gastroparesis find pureed cook veggies or fruits totally okay, versus eating them whole.

Answer

I have delayed gastric emptying and a pancreatic insufficiency - I take a prescription supplement to help my body digest fats. This is only what works for me, but I find that if I cut the peel off of the peppers, I don't have nearly the issues that I do when I eat them peel and all.

I don't do many legumes - usually just a few when I make quesadillas or something like that, where I can put just a few in mine and more in the ones for the rest of the family. I avoid soy completely because I happen to be allergic.


If your husband wants to ask the doc about trying an enzyme supplement, the name of mine is Creon. It is pretty expensive, even with insurance coverage, but it significantly reduces my digestive issues, so it is worth it.

Answer

Has he ever tried kefir to help him with this? I have found it to be an amazing digestive aid. 8 ounces everyday, first thing in the morning.

Chile peppers are unique in many respects. I don't think there is one substitute for all recipes. I find it very surprising that he can handle "sweet peppers." I assume you mean bell peppers. Perhaps it is the capsaicinoids in hot peppers. Still, if he can work with bell peppers. Why not a poblano with all the seed and placenta removed. Those are pretty mild.

Answer

I also have gastroparesis and was recently diagnosed after barely being able to eat for the past six and a half months. A suggestion was made to me through my boyfriend's family member to try L-glutamine to help heal the damage to the nerves. I'm on day four of using just a teaspoon a day and this is the first day I have not been nauseous all day. I actually ate lunch today. No pain, no nausea, no feeling of being overly full after 2 small bites. I brought some sweet peppers for a snack this afternoon and I'll see how that goes. 
Read the reviews on Amazon for L-Glutamine and see if maybe this can help you...

Topics

Locations

Your post has been published!

alternatives to peppers?

More from Chowhound

Guides

The Ultimate Spring Produce Guide: What's in Season & How to Use It

Recipe Round-Ups

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes for Less Morning Stress

Guides

How to Care for Enameled Cast Iron So It Lasts a Lifetime

Home

The Best Tool to Clean a Wood Cutting Board Is Probably in Your Compost Bin

Trending Discussions

Chowhound Recipes That You are Saving

A Final Goodbye for Chowhound

Favorite Chowhound Memories

NY Times: Chowhound Closes After 25 Years of Food Obsession, Wisdom and Debate

January–April 2022 Baking COTM: DESSERT PERSON by Claire Saffitz

Quick Links

Latest Discussions

Cookbook of the Month

Dish of the Month

Weekly Menu Planning

Get fresh food news delivered to your inbox

12 Irish Foods to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day That Aren’t Corned Beef and Cabbage

Chowhound

Policies

Community

Editorial

Content