Diet plan for peptic ulcer patients is actually an important part of your treatment. This diet plan was designed specifically to prevent the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease. Peptic ulcer diet is extremely essential for peptic ulcer patients. Certain types of food should be avoided by those suffering from peptic ulcer disease. Some healthy diet plans are also important though they may not cure the disease but they will help to keep the symptoms under control.
Diet for Peptic Ulcer (Stomach ulcers) – What to Eat and What Not to Eat?
What are Peptic Ulcers?
Peptic ulcers, also called as stomach ulcers, are characterized by the occurrence of an open sore on the inner lining of the stomach. The sore may be on the proximal, middle or distal part of the stomach or in the duodenum, the initial part of small intestine, following the stomach.
Diseases of the gastro-intestinal tract such as peptic ulcers and dyspepsia are quite common among the urban population today due to improper eating habits and erratic lifestyle adopted due to the influence of technology. People today have chosen jobs involving prolonged hours of sitting in front of the PC and often skipping meals, which is quite common due to busy working hours.
Irregular meal timings combined with having large meals at a time all play a role in disturbing the functioning of the normal digestive system. Paying proper attention to regularizing meal timings & minding the portion size of meals can help reverse gut disorders such as peptic ulcers.
Ulcers are often the result of inadequate presence of the bicarbonate ions in the stomach lining. Hence, on account of inadequate bicarbonate ions to neutralize the H+ ions in the acidic secretions of the gut, the stomach acid has the capacity of corroding the stomach lining. This gives rise to ulcers.
Peptic ulcers have characteristic symptom of dull, continuous, throbbing pain before meal time or sharp, shooting pain experienced while consuming meals or during night. The pain may persist for few minutes to hours, in some cases of severity, it may also prolong for days or months. The pain is most probably centered around the upper abdominal region, close to the sternum.
Other associated symptoms of peptic ulcers may be heartburn, belching, nauseous feeling, bloating, vomiting, and in severe cases, bleeding. Bleeding results when the open sore causes a perforating through the stomach lining. Blood from the ulcers may be observed either in stools or in vomit.
What are the Causes of Peptic Ulcers?
The most common causes of peptic ulcers has been found to be Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection which invade the intestinal lining and damage it while proliferating. Also, indiscriminate use of NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and other pain killers) has found to precipitate peptic ulcers.
Alcohol & tobacco intake as well as consumption of oily, spicy foods may worsen the condition of peptic ulcers, but has not been found to cause them. The most common, first line treatment for ulcers is administration of antacids and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) which dilute the concentration of acid secretions in the stomach or reduce the acid production respectively.
Dietary Indications For Peptic Ulcers
The daily diet regime & nutrition do play a significant role in controlling the symptoms & recurrence of peptic ulcers. The main purpose for providing optimum nutrition support is to promote healing of the ulcers as well as to prevent the aggravation of symptoms. Following are the foods which can be included as well as those which needs to be avoided in the diet for effective management of peptic ulcers.
Foods Recommended
Foods which are well cooked and mashed must be included. Fruits such as apple, pear should be skewed. As the diet should be non-irritating and non-stimulating to the digestive tract, it is advisable to cook vegetables to a well mashed consistency. Whole grains, rice, corn, barley can be included.
Cranberries, cherries, tomatoes, bean vegetables like cluster beans, french beans, broad beans, should be mashed well. Bell peppers, gourd vegetables such as bottlegourd, ridgegourd contain moisture which soothens the digestive tract. Probiotics in the form of curd, yogurt, buttermilk, helps in the growth of friendly bacteria that aids better digestion.
Foods Restricted
Citrus fruits such as orange, amla (Indian Gooseberry), sweetlime are rich in Vitamin C and helps in wound healing but the question whether it can be used is still a controversy.
Skimmed milk & milk products, low fat cottage cheese are acid- stimulating and so they are restricted.
Foods prepared by mainly using refined flour & refined sugar such as baked products, white bread loaves, pasta, noodles, cookies, desserts containing full, rich cream, whole milk & milk products are limited.
Foods Avoided
Caffeinated drinks & beverages like tea, coffee are avoided as it increases gastric acid production and irritates the mucosal membrane. Spices like black pepper, chilli powder, cinnamon, Red meat of all kinds (barbecued or charred on the surface), foods containing hydrogenated vegetable fats (trans fats) such as peanut butter, milk based bread spreads, rich chocolates & cocoa based sweets, alcohol & all kinds of alcoholic beverages, aerated soft drinks are avoided.
Nutrients Essential in Management of Peptic Ulcers
Zinc
Zinc is an essential micronutrient which hastens the healing of ulcers. It also improves immunity against H.pylori infection which is one of the causative factors of peptic ulcers. Good immunity resists the bacteria to multiply & damage the lining causing ulcers. Zinc is also found to promote the growth of new cells in the stomach lining.
Selenium
Selenium in conjunction with zinc helps in building immunity to prevent recurrence of as well as heal the ulcers.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants such as vitamin A help in building new cells in place of the damaged cells. They along with flavonoids also help in protecting against oxidative stress developed in the digestive system as a result of the inflammation induced by the ulcers. The flavonoids also help in inhibiting the spread of H.pylori.
Fibre
Adequate fibre intake, both soluble as well as insoluble fiber, in the diet has found to decrease the risk of occurrence of peptic ulcers. Conversely, inadequate fiber intake through the diet has shown to increase incidence of ulcers. Fibre helps to dilute the bile & gastric secretions which may aggravate the ulcer symptoms, if they are more concentrated in the gut.
Probiotics
Probiotics, which contain healthy strains of lactobacillus bacteria, prevents the growth & proliferation of harmful bacteria like H.pylori, responsible for causing ulcers. They also protect the stomach lining from damage.
Vitamin C
Studies have found Vitamin C to be more effective against bleeding ulcers, i.e, they help to heal the wound faster and stop blood loss.
Fluids
Adequate intake of fluids in the form of strained vegetable soups, plain water, lime or coconut water, buttermilk helps to accelerate gastric emptying which prevents the concentrated gut contents from staying in the gut for long. They dilute the concentrated gastric secretions.
Best Foods for a Stomach Ulcer
While there’s no universal diet for treating stomach ulcers, a diet high in fiber appears a good place to start. High-fiber foods can prevent excess stomach acid secretion, which can reduce ulcer pain and protect the stomach lining as the ulcer heals.
Many high-fiber foods are also good sources of polyphenols, plant chemicals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and protective properties that work to improve healing.
High-fiber foods include:
- Raspberries
- Pears
- Apples
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Strawberries
- Figs
- Raisins
- Artichokes
- Green peas
- Broccoli
- Turnip greens
- Brussels sprouts
- Sweet corn
- Potatoes
- Tomato paste
- Carrots
- Barley
- Beans
- Lentils
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Whole-grain oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Whole-wheat bread
Because the H. pylori bacteria causes 70 percent of all stomach ulcers and can sometimes be challenging to eradicate, researchers are trying to understand how foods can help in the treatment of this infection.
A 2014 study from the World Journal of Gastroenterology suggests the healthy bacteria in yogurt and fermented milk products — such as cultured buttermilk and kefir — may increase the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for H. pylori.
In addition, the components in cranberry juice, green tea, garlic, turmeric, ginger, olive oil, broccoli and many other fruits and vegetables may also enhance standard antibiotic treatment, according to a 2016 study published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. But more research is needed to clearly understand their role in managing stomach ulcers.
Spicy foods like curry may worsen your stomach ulcer symptoms. Or they may not.
Image Credit: jatuporn amorntangsati/Moment/GettyImages
Worst Foods for a Stomach Ulcer
If you have a stomach ulcer, you may find that certain foods and beverages cause irritation. Common culprits can include:
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Other caffeinated beverages
- Spicy foods
However, these items might be well tolerated if consumed in small amounts or with other foods. And it’s important to note that these items don’t bother everyone with a stomach ulcer. So the best approach is to limit or avoid foods that clearly cause you discomfort and enjoy in moderation those that don’t, as there are no blanket restrictions on foods if you have a stomach ulcer.
But less is known about the types of foods that impair healing or make H. pylori infections more difficult to treat — or if restricting certain foods or dietary components will help.
For instance, a 2016 study from Gastroenterology Research and Practice suggests a high-salt environment in the stomach can promote the development of or worsen H. pylori infections. But quality research is not yet available to determine if reducing dietary sodium — or other suspect nutrients — prevents or helps treat H. pylori infections.
Beneficial Diets for Stomach Ulcers
While there is no specific diet recommended for stomach ulcers, there are some research-based dietary patterns that provide the beneficial emphasis on fruits, vegetables and other high-fiber foods. Commonly recommended diet patterns include:
- DASH Diet: A plan developed in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension research trials, this food plan emphasizes fruits and vegetables, suggesting eight to 10 servings daily. The DASH plan also includes whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy products, beans, lentils, nuts, fish and poultry and limits oils, sugar-sweetened beverages and desserts.
- Mediterranean Diet: This eating plan also emphasizes fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, grains, nuts and seeds. It also includes low to moderate amounts of olive oil and wine and limits dairy products, fish and poultry.
- A Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet: This particular approach to eating is centered on whole, minimally or unprocessed plant foods — such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lentils and beans — and minimizes or excludes animal-based products like milk, cheese, meat, chicken and fish.
To learn more about an individualized food plan that will help manage your health conditions, ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian.
You may need to ditch the aspirin for a while if it’s causing your stomach ulcer.
Stomach Ulcer Treatment
To effectively treat stomach ulcers, the underlying cause needs to be removed. So if you have a H. pylori infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic medications, which may include amoxicillin, tetracycline, clarithromycin or bismuth subsalicylate.
If the cause of your ulcer is related to long-term NSAID use, your doctor will recommend alternative pain relievers like acetaminophen, salsalate or trisalicylate.
Along with these treatments, acid-blocking medicines called proton pump inhibitors (like omeprazole, lansoprazole and esomeprazole) are commonly prescribed to reduce or neutralize stomach acid production and to protect the lining of the stomach as it heals.
When to See a Doctor About a Stomach Ulcer
If you suspect you have a stomach ulcer, see your doctor right away so treatment can begin. Delaying treatment can risk complications, such as perforation and subsequent infection, bleeding or blockage.
Also let your doctor know if your treatment plan isn’t working after several weeks, or sooner if your symptoms worsen. Seek urgent medical attention if you have blood in your stools, ongoing vomiting, if you’re throwing up blood or food eaten hours or days before or if you feel unusually weak or dizzy.
General Health Tips to Help in Treatment of Peptic Ulcers
- Avoid smoking & use of nicotine products.
- Avoid alcohol use.
- Avoid lying down or going to bed immediately after having a full meal. This can cause acidic reflux of the stomach contents.
- Do not keep large time gaps between main meals during the day.
- Have small, 4-5 regular meals through the day.
- Avoid skipping any of the main meals.
- Get adequate rest & 6-7 hours of sound sleep.
- Practice relaxation techniques or deep breathing exercises to relieve stress. Handle stress effectively by positive thoughts, engaging in hobbies & activities you love to do.
- Adopt a more active lifestyle by moving about often at your place of work in between work hours.
Diet Chart For Stomach Ulcer
An ulcer in the stomach is known as a gastric ulcer while that in the first part of the intestines is known as a duodenal ulcer. The most common symptoms of a duodenal ulcer are waking at night with upper abdominal pain or upper abdominal pain that improves with eating. With a gastric ulcer the pain may worsen with eating. The pain is often described as a burning or dull ache. Other symptoms include belching, vomiting, weight loss, or poor appetite. About a third of older people have no symptoms. Complications may include bleeding, perforation and blockage of the stomach. Bleeding occurs in as many as 15% of people.
Common causes include the bacteria Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Other less common causes include tobacco smoking, stress due to serious illness, Behcet disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Crohn disease and liver cirrhosis, among others. Older people are more sensitive to the ulcer-causing effects of NSAIDs. The diagnosis is typically suspected due to the presenting symptoms with confirmation by either endoscopy or barium swallow. H. pylori can be diagnosed by testing the blood for antibodies, a urea breath test, testing the stool for signs of the bacteria, or a biopsy of the stomach. Other conditions that produce similar symptoms include stomach cancer, coronary heart disease, and inflammation of the stomach lining or gallbladder inflammation.
Diet does not play an important role in either causing or preventing ulcers. Treatment includes stopping smoking, stopping NSAIDs, stopping alcohol and giving medications to decrease stomach acid. The medication used to decrease acid is usually either a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or an H2 blocker with four weeks of treatment initially recommended. Ulcers due to H. pylori are treated with a combination of medications such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin and a PPI. Antibiotic resistance is increasing and thus treatment may not always be effective. Bleeding ulcers may be treated by endoscopy, with open surgery typically only used in cases in which it is not successful.
Diet Chart
| Sunday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | Brown bread Egg sandwich (1) + 1 apple |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | Coconut water (1 glass) + 2 biscuits |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | Roti (2) + Soy bean Curry (1 cup) + 1/2 cup curd |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + Bottle Gourd Curry (1 cup) |
| Monday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | Brown bread Potato sandwich (1) + 1 cup low fat curd |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | 1 cup chhach |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | rice (1 cup) + Fish/ chicken Curry (1 cup) + cucumber salad |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + Pointed Gourd Curry (1 cup) |
| Tuesday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | Brown bread vegetable sandwich (1) + 1 pear |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | 1 cup chana sattu |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | Roti (2) + Mushroom n Green pea Curry (1 cup) + 1/2 cup curd |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + Beetroot Curry (1 cup) |
| Wednesday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | vegetable Poha (1 cup) + Pomegranate juice (1 glass) |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | 1 cup chhach |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | Roti (2) + Chana Dal (1 cup) + 1 cup karela vegetable + green chutney |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + Potato n Beans Curry (1 cup) |
| Thursday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | Scrambled Egg (2) +brown bread Toasted (1) + 1 apple |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | Coconut water (1 glass) + 2 biscuits |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | Rice (1 cup) + kidney beans Curry (1 cup) + green chutney |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + lotus stem (1 cup) + green chutney |
| Friday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | Mashed Potato n Carrot Sandwich (1) + 1 cup curd |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | 1 cup chhach |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | Roti (2) + Moong Dal (1 cup) + 1 cup lady finger + green chutney |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + Potato n Drumstick Curry (1 cup) |
| Saturday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30AM) | Besan Cheela with paneer stuffing (2) + Pomegranate Juice (1 glass) |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30AM) | 1 cup chana sattu |
| Lunch (2:00-2:30PM) | Roti (2) + Chicken Curry (1 cup) + onion salad |
| Evening (4:00-4:30PM) | Tea (1 cup) + 1 Roasted Papad/ murmure/ bhuna chana/ roasted namkeen |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30PM) | Roti (2) + Broad Beans Curry (1 cup) |
Food Items To Limit
- Coffee and Carbonated Beverages : affeinated and decaffeinated coffee and tea should be avoided because they stimulate acid production and can cause indigestion, especially in individuals with stomach ulcers.
- Alcohol : lcohol can irritate and erode the lining of the stomach and small intestine and should be avoided by individuals with stomach ulcers because of the potential for bleeding and inflammation.
- Spicy and Acidic Foods : Managing acid reflux is important because it is related to stomach ulcers. Avoid spicy foods, such as chilies, hot peppers and hot sauce. These foods can increase stomach acid, trigger acid reflux and worsen symptoms associated with stomach ulcers.
- Other Foods : In addition to coffee, alcohol and carbonated beverages, dieticians recommends limiting refined foods, such as white bread, pasta and sugar; red meats; and trans fats found in commercially baked goods and processed foods.
Do’s And Dont’s
Do’s:
- Having 5 small easily digestible meals a day at proper intervals is a key to good digestive health. Eating slowly without talking and chewing the food properly also improves digestion. It reduces intestinal gas as less air is swallowed during the eating process.
- Any kind of physical activity which leads to sweating improves the process of metabolism and digestion in the body. Breathing exercises and yoga can bring relief from bloating, flatulence and other symptoms of indigestion and intestinal gas.
- Drinking 8-10 glasses of water every day is mandatory to prevent any gastric complications. Drinking 1 glass of tender coconut water at mid-morning helps in improving the condition.
- Probiotics are the friendly bacteria of the gut. They help in breaking down the food and making it easy for the body to digest it. Fermented milk products like curd (homemade) contain the bacteria lactobacillus which is known to promote digestion.
- Non glutenous grains, non citric fruits and vegetables, moderate fiber intake and lean animal proteins are the best choices.
Don’ts:
- Avoiding foods like complex carbohydrate and fatty proteins (difficult to break down and longer time for digestion) can be helpful.
- Avoiding alcohol and smoking is essential to recover from a gastric attack. Prolonged intake of these could also cause irrepairable damage to the gut.
- Staying away from certain medications like acetaminophens, analgesics, ibuprofen, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs is important in preventing gastritis.
- Caffeinated beverages like sodas, cold drinks, tea and coffee are best be avoided.
- Keeping away from refined wheat, tomatoes, lemons, red meat etc is essential for fast and better recovery.
- Anything too hot or too cold and some spices like black pepper, red chili powder, too much green chilli powder should be avoided and if taken in limited amounts.
- Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, beans are tougher on the gut and should be avoided. If taken should be in less amounts in breakfast and/or lunch, not at dinner.
Food Items You Can Easily Consume
- Cereals & Pulses: Whole grain cereals (rice, oats, jowar, bajra and ragi) and pulses (red gram, green gram, bengal gram and black gram dals).
- Fruits & vegetables: Fruits (stewed apple, banana, papaya, pomegranate, pear, melons (water melon, musk melon) and vegetables (all gourds, ladies finger, tinda, green leafy vegetables (indian spinach, fenugreek leaves, corriander leaves).
- Meat, Fish & Poultry: Lean meat, skin less chicken, fish (mackerel, trout, sardine, salmon, tuna).
- Milk & Milk products: Yoghurt, curd, paneer, chacch.
- Nuts & Oils: Almonds, walnuts, pista, olive oil, vegetable oil, mustard oil.