The term "achlorhydria" literally means the lack of acid. It indicates the decreased production of the acid in the stomach (the hydrochloric acid).
Hydrochloric acid is essential in the process of normal digestion of food in its initial stage of digestion in the stomach.
The digestion of proteins in particular depends on the presence of high acidity in the stomach.
When the amount of acid in your stomach is decreased, the process of proteins digestion will be negatively affected.
Based on that, you may follow these dietary advises:
Eat protein diet less frequently:
Meat, fish, eggs, legumes and other sources of protein in diet shouldn't be consumed frequently.
Allow more than 8 hours before you can eat protein diet again. This time time will allow your little amount of acid in your stomach to start digesting food and avoid over exhausting the stomach with frequent protein intake.
Normally stimulate acid secretion. But in achlorhydria , eating a protein-rich food frequently, will not stimulate further acid, because the capacity of the stomach to produce acid is already limited, leading to overloading it with foodstuff that won't be digested.
Add acidic food to your diet:
Citrus fruit (orange and lemon) contain the organic acid known as citric acid. acids, can make the stomach contents more acidic. It's advisable to take acidic fruits at the end of the meal or more preferably 30 minutes to one hour after meal.
Drink peptonated milk:
Unmodified milk normally makes a clot in the stomach (coagulated) , by the action of "rennin" enzyme in the gastric juice. This will delay the passage of milk into the small bowel and further delay its digestion by "trypsin" enzyme in the small bowel (duodenum).
Eat foods which pass rapidly to the small bowel:
There are certain nutritious foods with protein content which pass rapidly to, and are digested in the small bowel. These are gelatin, cream, butter, bacon, and olive oil. Similarly, if you make cereals liquid by overcooking, they will be better digested in the small bowel rather than being delayed in the stomach.
