Stomach Ulcer Diet: Foods to Eat & Avoid

Doctors have revealed that stomach ulcers are the open sores that develop in the stomach lining. There are two major causes that lead to stomach ulcers such as a bacterial infection that is also known as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.

Stomach ulcers occur by bacterial infection is common but in most cases, it leads to ulcer diseases in your digestive tract. These ulcer diseases increase the risk of stomach cancer. Health experts suggest that there is no specific diet that you can consume to get rid of stomach ulcer.

However, you can add and eliminate food sources to prevent further damage.

Foods to Eat If You’ve Stomach Ulcer

 

1. Probiotic Foods

In case of stomach ulcer, increase the intake of probiotic foods like kimchi, kefir, yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, and miso. These foods contain healing and soothing properties which are essential to treat an ulcer. Moreover, probiotic foods contain dietary fiber which balances the activity of good and bad bacteria in your gut. Consuming one cup of yogurt can neutralize the burning sensation which is common in stomach ulcer.

2. Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy green vegetables are effective when it comes to treating stomach disorders including stomach ulcer. Health experts suggest that adding leafy green vegetables to your diet is excellent to keep stomach ulcer at bay.

Moreover, nutritionists have recommended eating kale and spinach due to the nutrient content of these vegetables. They are packed with various enzymes that ward off bacteria that help develop sores in your stomach lining. You can add kale or spinach either raw or cooked. However, do not add spices when cooking these vegetables and opt for fresh herbs instead.

3. Olive Oil

Plant-based oils like olive oil are healthy-friendly. That is why doctors recommend incorporating olive oil into your daily diet. Olive oil provides omega-3s and many minerals that not only treat problems in stomach lining but regulate irregular bowel movements as well. Therefore, when dealing with a stomach ulcer, try to use extra virgin olive oil until you recover completely.

4. Turmeric

It would not be wrong to claim that turmeric is a fantastic spice. Unlike other spices, you can consume turmeric to treat stomach ulcer. It has anti-inflammatory properties that prevent inflammation related to the excess use of ibuprofen or other drugs. A stomach ulcer is one of debilitating stomach complication that brings a lot of unease. You can treat this condition and reduce this unease by adding a pinch of turmeric to your food.

5. Green Tea

If you drink green tea to treat digestion, you might want to increase its consumption due to the anti-oxidants in it. Anti-oxidants are necessary to combat health-damaging factors that contribute to several diseases. A stomach ulcer is one of them and consuming green tea can reduce the swelling and inflammation in your stomach lining. Nutritionists have assured that if you drink only one cup of freshly brewed green tea before bedtime, it will stop the occurrence of stomach ulcer in the first place.

6. Poultry

Eating chicken or turkey is safe when dealing with stomach ulcer as poultry digest in a short time. Chicken or turkey is packed with nutrients that promote bile production and help you eliminate toxins and waste without hurting your health. You can consume a moderate quantity of poultry sources. However, opt for chicken or turkey without skin and avoid adding spices and sauces as they might increase inflammation.

7. Berries

The sweet and sour berries are loaded with antioxidants, which help lower inflammation. Berries like blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries also contain healing properties. When you consume one cup of mix berries on a daily basis, it speeds up the recovery process.

Foods to Avoid If You’ve Stomach Ulcer

 

1. Spicy Food

A stomach ulcer is a serious health problem. Therefore, you need to eliminate spicy foods to prevent their adverse effects on the stomach lining. For instance, you avoid sauces and condiments, chili peppers, horseradish, and black pepper.

2. Caffeine

Doctors recommend cutting back tea and coffee in the case of stomach ulcer as caffeinated drinks might increase burning sensation in your stomach. You should also eliminate caffeinated sodas as well to treat stomach ulcer in a short time.

3. Fried Food Items

You may love eating fried potatoes or other items with different mouthwatering sauces. However, these foods can make your condition worse. Fried foods increase soreness in your stomach lining and delay the healing process.

4. Creamy Soups or Gravy

Creamy soups can cause indigestion if you consume them during a stomach ulcer. On the other hand, gravy with cream or hot sauces results in inflammation in the stomach lining. Therefore, if you have a stomach ulcer, eliminate creamy soups or gravy completely and eat light food with few spices.

5. Bakery Items

Cakes, pies, cookies, pastries and other bakery items can make your condition worse. So, you need to cut back almost every bakery item to heal stomach ulcer in a short time.

Precautionary Tips

It is true that stomach disorder like stomach ulcer can lead to chronic diseases. You can reduce the risks of further stomach complications by ensuring certain precautionary tips. Take note that you can find many home remedies on the internet to treat stomach ulcer just in a week.

However, home remedies are not always safe, especially when you feel constant burning sensation in your chest and stomach. In this case, you should avoid self-medication or experiment with home remedies and opt for a medical treatment immediately.

A stomach ulcer is curable and only your doctor can prescribe the right medicine after conducting a thorough examination. However, there are following precautionary tips that you should follow after identifying the symptoms of stomach ulcer such as burning sensation in the stomach after meals to steer clear of adverse effects.

• Increase water intake. Drink at least 9-11 glasses of water
• Do not eat chocolate as it triggers heartburn in some people
• Do not tomatoes as it leads to stomach and chest burn
• Avoid eating raw vegetables
• Cook your meals in limited oil and spices
• Use fresh herbs
• Take your last meal two hours before going to bed
• Consume small but frequent portions of meals
• Do not starve

Bottom Line

With help of proper diet and treatment, you cannot only get rid of stomach ulcer but prevent its reoccurrence as well. We suggest consulting with a doctor as medical help ensures a quick recovery.