Peptic ulcers are defined by the Mayo Clinic as open sores on the inside lining of your stomach, esophagus or upper small intestine. Ulcers are a common ailment--as many as 10 percent of adults may experience an ulcer at some time. The most common symptom is stomach pain. Foods are no longer believed to cause ulcers, but certain foods aggravate or alleviate symptoms. Controlling acid reflux is an important step in controlling peptic ulcers. Foods that are not tolerated vary from person to person, but you can follow general guidelines and adjust them based on your symptoms.
Fruits
Acidic fruits are cited by the Mayo Clinic staff and GICare.com as the fruits most likely to cause reflux. Because of this, oranges, orange juice and grapefruits should be avoided. Other citrus fruits should be eaten as tolerated. MedHelp.org lists apples, apple juice and bananas as safe to eat with acid reflux.
Vegetables
MedHelp.org lists broccoli, baked potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, green beans and peas as the safest vegetables to eat with acid reflux. Acidic vegetables, specifically tomatoes and tomato juice should be avoided. Spicy vegetables such as peppers and chilis are typically not tolerated. The Mayo Clinic also suggests garlic and onion be avoided to see if symptoms improve.
Meat and Dairy
Low-fat meat and dairy are the best tolerated because extra fat can cause irritation. Medhelp.org recommends extra lean beef, white meat poultry, fish, egg whites or egg substitutes. Fat should not be added in cooking. Feta or goat cheese, low-fat or fat-free milk and fat-free sour cream are also recommended.
Miscellaneous Foods
The Penn State College of Medicine recommends a diet high in fiber to help alleviate symptoms. High fiber foods, according to the American Dietetic Association, include whole wheat bread, cereal, pasta and rice. When reading food labels, look for foods with at least 3 g of fiber per serving. Medhelp.org says that in general, all grains are safe. GICare.com suggests avoiding fatty or fried foods, peppermint, black pepper, red or hot pepper, chocolate and colas.
Lifestyle Modifications
In addition to diet, there are several suggested lifestyle adjustments that can be made to relieve symptoms of ulcers. The Mayo Clinic suggests not smoking and limiting or avoiding alcohol. The clinic also encourages people with ulcers to remain upright after eating, raising the head of your bed and maintaining a healthy weight. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, should not be used with an ulcer. GICare.com recommends avoiding all caffeine as well as decaffeinated coffee and tea. The Penn State College of Medicine reports there are medicines that can be prescribed to lower stomach acid secretion.
