Stomach Ulcer Diet: What Foods to Eat and to Avoid

A stomach ulcer can make life difficult but the right diet can give you nutrition and calm your stomach. This helps with faster healing and cuts down on pain. This blog on a full stomach ulcer diet plan gives key insights into what causes stomach ulcers. It also shows you what to eat and what to avoid if you have an ulcer. This diet chart can boost your health and make you feel better.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

Before we explore the details of a stomach or peptic ulcer diet, let's grasp the causes of this condition. Stomach ulcers start on your stomach lining or the upper part of the small intestine. The following factors can lead to stomach ulcers:

• The bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) cause most of the stomach ulcers. It weakens the stomach's protective lining, which lets stomach acid to erode the tissues.
• If your family has a history of stomach ulcers, you might be more likely to get them too.
• Taking too many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can upset your stomach lining and make you more prone to peptic ulcers.
• As you age, you are at a higher risk of stomach ulcers. This happens because of things like thinner stomach linings and being exposed to risk factors for a long time.
• Stress doesn't cause peptic ulcers, but it can make existing ulcers worse and slow down healing.
• Too much alcohol and smoking can irritate your stomach lining making it easier for ulcers to form and harder for them to heal.
• Too much stomach acid can lead to gastric ulcers. Some conditions, like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, can cause your body to make too much acid.

The mucosal lining helps protect your stomach from gastric acid and other harmful substances. If this layer gets damaged, you are more likely to get gastric ulcers.

10 Foods to Eat for a Person with a Stomach Ulcer

Following a balanced and healthy diet has an important role in controlling a stomach ulcer. Here is a list of ten foods that can ease discomfort and help with healing:

1. Yoghurt: This food is a must-have in your meal plan for gastric ulcers. Yoghurt is easy on the stomach and contains probiotics and good bacteria. These can help cut down H. pylori growth & boost gut health. You can take plain yoghurt without added sugar to avoid anything that might irritate your stomach.
2. Oatmeal: Oatmeal makes for a gentle and easy-to-eat choice at breakfast or as a snack. It creates a protective coating in the stomach, which cuts down on irritation and gives a comfy feeling. Choose plain oatmeal and stay away from adding sweet toppings.
3. Lean Protein: In your ulcer-friendly eating plan, add lean protein sources like chicken, turkey and fish. These proteins play a key role in fixing tissues and can help the healing process. Don't fry the meats; instead, go for healthier cooking ways such as grilling or baking.
4. Leafy Greens: Greens like spinach, Swiss chard, and kale pack vitamins, micronutrients, and antioxidants. These boost your immunity and help you heal. These veggies also contain fibre. Fibre helps your digestion and promotes a healthy gut.
5. Ginger: You can add ginger to your ulcer diet food list. Ginger reduces inflammation in the stomach lining. Drink ginger tea or add fresh grated ginger to your meals and you can feel the difference.
6. Whole Grains: Whole grains have essential nutrients and fibre. These regulate your bowel movements and improve your digestive health. Try quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, bulgur wheat, and whole wheat bread.
7. Berries: Berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries have lots of antioxidants to cut down on swelling and help you heal. You can eat them on their own or mix them into yoghurt or oatmeal for extra health benefits.
8. Almonds: Almonds pack a punch with vitamin E and good fats, which can shield your stomach lining. They make a filling and healthy snack but watch how many you eat since they are high in calories.
9. Herbal Tea: Herbal drinks such as ginger, chamomile, or peppermint tea are a blessing against stomach ulcers. They have a calming effect that can reduce inflammation and ease discomfort. Skip adding sugar or caffeine to your tea to get faster relief.
10. Water: Drinking enough water throughout the day plays a crucial role in keeping you hydrated. This has an impact on your overall health and helps balance stomach acid levels. To support digestion and enhance healing make sure you consume adequate water.

Foods to Avoid with Stomach Ulcers

While some foods can speed up healing, it's just as important to know which foods people with peptic ulcers should avoid. This helps prevent further irritation and discomfort. Here is a list of foods you should skip in your stomach ulcer diet:

• Spicy Foods: These have a big impact on your diet plan for peptic ulcer. Spices can irritate your stomach lining and trigger it to produce more acid. Stay away from hot peppers, chilli powder, and other spicy seasonings.
• Citrus Fruits: Acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits can make stomach ulcers worse. Try non-acidic fruits like apples or bananas instead.
• Coffee and Caffeinated Drinks: Caffeine can trigger acid production and boost stomach irritation. If you have peptic ulcers, you should cut back on tea, sodas and coffee.
• Fizzy Drinks: Sodas can make you feel gassy and worsen heartburn.
• Booze: Hard drinks can hurt your stomach. Skipping alcohol is a smarter choice to get faster relief.
• Greasy food: This food can slow down your gut. Slower digestion might cause more heartburn. Try cooking in healthier ways and go for lean meats.
• Packaged Stuff: Ready-made foods often pack in too much salt, sugar, preservatives, and fake add-ins that can upset your stomach. You should always go for fresh whole foods over packaged ones.

Conclusion

To take care of your stomach ulcer with a good diet has a big impact on managing symptoms, helping you heal and stopping problems. Add the recommended foods to your meals and stay away from things that make it worse to keep your stomach healthy. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to get advice tailored to your needs. By nourishing & soothing your stomach you can get a handle on your health and live better.

Dt. Sunita

Dietitian

Gurunanak CARE Hospitals, Musheerabad, Hyderabad