Stomach Ulcer Diet.

Once your ulcer has been diagnosed through your ulcer symptoms and diagnosis of ulcer, your ulcer doctor will put on ulcer treatment and ulcer diet.  In the treatment and management of Peptic ulcer, diet for peptic ulcer is as important as treatment of peptic ulcer. Given below are certain dietary restrictions  which a patient of peptic ulcer should follow, along with a few “dos” and “don’ts”. However it will be useful for you to read Causes of Ulcer where factors that aggravate an ulcer are also explained.

Main objectives of the Peptic Ulcer Diet:

• The Gastric Ulcer Diet should prevent corrosive action on the inner lining of the stomach by the gastric acid. This ulcer diet does so 1) by neutralizing the acid, 2) by not stimulating its secretion and 3) advising foods that do not irritate the stomach.
• The Stomach Ulcer Diet should give nutrition to the patient.
• The Peptic Ulcer Diet should be rich in fiber content.
• The ulcer diet should  lessen the burden of digestion on the Gastro intestinal tract to promote healing of ulcer.

Ulcer Diet – Tips to follow:

• You should eat 5 to 6 small and frequent meals instead of the normal 2 to 3 meals. Space them out evenly. This helps in preventing the stomach from being empty and inner lining of the stomach from being exposed to gastric acid. Small meals cause less burden on the ulcerated  stomach during digestion.
• Eat slowly and chew the food well. This is to reduce the burden of digestion on the stomach and duodenum.
• Drink plenty of water everyday – 12 to 15 glasses – properly spaced out during the day. This is to keep the gastric acid in moderate dilution. Drinking Water Benefits explains why you should drink good amount of water.
• Do not  drink water one hour before and after the meals. This tip will help in the digestion process.
• Learn to rest and relax after a meal for a little while. However, do not lie down.
• Dinner should be had at least 3 hours before going to bed.

Foods to be avoided by ulcer patients.

• Hot foods.
• Raw fruits and raw vegetables as they burden the digestive process.
• Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and grapes.
• Tobacco (smoking included) and alcohol  as they stimulate the secretion of gastric acid.
• Tea and coffee contain caffeine  which again is a stimulant for gastric acid.
• Fried and greasy foods are difficult to digest and require more acid secretion. Therefore avoid them.
• Spicy and chilli foods as they stimulate gastric acid secretion.
• Sugar should be taken in moderation as it is a stomach irritant.
• During an acute attack, avoid non vegetarian food, as again these foods are difficult to digest and require more acid secretion.
• Pickles , tomato and tomato ketchups.
• Avoid foods that contain saturated fats like meats, whole milk and its products, and pastries.
• If being treated for any other ailment, always inform your doctor of your ulcer, so that he can medicate you accordingly. Medicines like Aspirin, steroids and non steroidal anti inflammatory  drugs like Ibuprofen are contraindicated in peptic ulcer patients.

Ulcer Foods you can or should eat:  Diet should be rich in fiber content.

Picture of ulcer foods.

• Seedless bread, Flour products and Cereals of whole wheat only. Rich or brown rice to also form part of the diet.
• Sugar and salt in  moderation.
• Fruits : Bananas, stewed apples, mangoes,  melons, papayas, and dates.
• Milk and its products:  Low fat milk, low fat cheese and low fat yogurt. 250 ml of milk to be drunk daily Avoid excess milk as it stimulates acid secretion.
• Vegetables in ulcer diet: Vegetables should be fresh. Avoid eating raw vegetables. Vegetables should be properly cooked. Cabbage and Broccoli promote the ulcer healing process. Potatoes and carrots should also form part of your diet.
• Non Vegetarian foods in ulcer diet: Unseasoned only.– Lean meat, fish  and poultry. One Egg per  day. However, during an acute attack, avoid non vegetarian foods.
• Oils to use in ulcer diet: Avoid saturated fats and stick to unsaturated fats only. Use only Olive oil or Vegetable oil.

Stomach Ulcer Diet or Duodenal Ulcer Diet is an important and integral part of peptic ulcer treatment. Do not underestimate the ulcer diet tips explained here.

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Related posts:

1. Natural Cures for Acid Reflux and Ulcer.
2. What are the Complications of Peptic Ulcer.
3. Treatment of Ulcer Pain.
4. Diagnosis of Ulcer.
5. Ulcer Symptoms.