Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of your stomach or small intestine that can cause severe stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite and even bleeding in your gastrointestinal tract. The most common causes of stomach ulcers are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -- NSAIDs -- for prolonged periods of time and the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. If you have an ulcer, altering your diet may lessen your symptoms. But talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian before you make any major change.
Foods to Avoid
To reduce the risk worsening existing ulcers, limit your intake of coffee and carbonated drinks, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. These beverages can promote increased production of irritating stomach acids. Avoid alcoholic beverages, because they can further thin and damage your gastrointestinal lining, according to the Mayo Clinic. If spicy foods seem to worsen your symptoms or cause acid reflux, eliminate them. High-fat foods such as whole-milk dairy products, fatty meats and dishes prepared with fats can also worsen your symptoms and impair digestion, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Avoid acidic fruits and juices, as well.
Foods to Add
Enriching your diet with fiber can help heal ulcers, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fiber-rich foods include most vegetables and fresh fruits. Eating low-fat foods such as nonfat dairy products and soy milk, lean meats and fish can also improve your digestion and reduce aggravation of your ulcer symptoms, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Instead of fatty meats, get your protein from beans, nuts, eggs, soy products and poultry. Drink noncitrus juices, herbal teas, water, low-fat or skim milk and caffeine-free soda to relieve your ulcer symptoms. Certain foods could actually impact the H. pylori bacteria, as well. These foods contain flavonoids and include garlic, onions, apples, celery and cranberries. Anti-oxidant-rich foods such as squash, tomatoes and blueberries may also help.
Key Nutrients
In addition to fiber, flavonoids and anti-oxidants, add foods that contain important nutrients, such as calcium and B-vitamins. These foods include spinach, kale, whole grains, beans and almonds, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. Taking a vitamin C supplement could also reduce your need for antibiotics and control bleeding related to ulcers. Supplements of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus could restore the balance of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract and help fight the H. pylori bacteria.
Risks
H. pylori bacteria, long-term NSAIDs use, excessive alcohol consumption, radiation therapy and gastrointestinal injuries and burns are all typical causes of ulcers, says the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. You may be at a higher risk for ulcers if you have diabetes, smoke, drink lots of coffee, have chronic stress or have a history of ulcers in your family. People with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and other conditions that cause excessive stomach-acid production are also at an increased risk for ulcers, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In addition, men and people who are 60 and older, are black or Hispanic, have type O blood or are living in unsanitary conditions are at a higher risk of ulcers due to H. pylori infections.
Considerations
Although a special diet was once thought to cure ulcers, doctors today understand that altering your diet will merely lessen the symptoms, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. Avoiding spicy and fatty foods, smoking, alcohol and NSAIDs can all reduce the aggravation to your stomach lining and help your ulcers heal, the Mayo Clinic says. You should also take measures to control any acid reflux you experience, because this can worsen your ulcers. If you have an ulcer due to H. pylori bacteria, you must seek treatment to cure the infection.
