An ulcer occurs when part of your stomach or intestinal lining erodes forming an open sore in your stomach. Ulcers can usually be found in the stomach or the duodenum, the lower end of the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine. According to Cedars-Sinai, ulcers are caused by the bacteria H. pylori and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Symptoms vary, but you may experience a burning, gnawing pain in the upper middle part of your abdomen that is only relieved by eating or taking an antacid. Knowing which specific foods are beneficial for ulcers can ease your symptoms and accelerate the healing process.
Water
Non-acidic beverages like water, caffeine-free herbal teas, and apple, grape or pear fruit juices can help your ulcer heal at a quicker pace. According to the Cleveland Clinic, milk may temporarily help reduce the pain of an ulcer, but milk can also increase the amount of digestive juices and acid in your stomach, which can aggravate your ulcer and delay the healing process. According to the Mayo Clinic, you should avoid or limit alcoholic beverages because they can irritate and erode the lining of your stomach and intestines and cause stomach inflammation and bleeding.
Apples
If you have an ulcer, you can safely consume fruits like apples, peaches, pears, bananas, grapes, kiwis, applesauce, melons and berries, according the website Drugs.com. Avoid citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes because the citric acid may irritate the ulcer and cause additional pain.
Spinach
Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, kale and chard can be safely consumed on an ulcer diet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dark green vegetables are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, folic acid, iron, calcium and fiber. According to Drugs.com, if you have an ulcer, high fiber foods should not aggravate your ulcer. Avoid acidic and spicy vegetables like tomatoes, hot peppers, black and red pepper and chilies because they increase stomach acid and aggravate your ulcer. In addition, vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and onions may give you gas and upset your stomach so use caution when incorporating these vegetables into your daily diet.
Chicken
A healthy diet consisting of lean meats such as chicken, fish, seafood and turkey can help your ulcer heal, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Lean meats are rich in protein, which is needed to repair cells and make new ones, according to Medline Plus. Other protein-based foods that can aid in the healing process are low-fat cottage cheese, soft cooked eggs, peanut butter, tofu and semi-hard low-fat cheese. The website Drugs.com suggests that you should limit or avoid fried or greasy meats, red meat, highly seasoned fatty meats such as salami, sausage, bacon, ham, cold cuts and ribs with barbecue sauce because they can cause pain, discomfort and excess gas.
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