All health professionals recommend a balanced diet for optimum health, and it makes sense that what you eat has some bearing on how your stomach feels. Not all stomach pain is caused by diet, but what you eat may aggravate a condition. If you experience stomach pain on a regular basis, consult a doctor, as this type of pain may be due to a number of reasons, many of them easily fixed.
Food Allergies
Your immune system makes antibodies that protect you from disease, but some peoples' bodies make antibodies to certain food types, causing allergic reactions. Common food allergies include peanuts, cows' milk, eggs, wheat and shellfish. For those with allergies, eating these foods may cause stomach pain, but it could also cause itchy skin, tongue, lips, rash, throat tightness, vomiting or diarrhea. If you think you may have an allergy, contact a health professional to help you determine what it is and advise you how to deal with it.
Stomach Ulcers
Stomach ulcers are sores in your digestive tract. They are not caused by diet, but by infection, per health information website, Family Doctor, but spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol can aggravate the symptoms. Stomach ulcers can give you stomach pain immediately after eating, or two or three hours later. Stomach ulcers can make you feel full quickly and can give you a bloated, burning feeling which may wake you up in the night. They may make you vomit or experience weight loss. Seek medical advice if you feel you may have an ulcer.
Gastritis
Gastritis is caused by the same infection as stomach ulcers, but excessive alcohol intake and spicy foods can aggravate the problem. This condition has the same symptoms as a stomach ulcer, and while often easily treated, can be associated with Chron's disease, parasitic infections, cancer and other diseases, according to the Mayo Clinic. Seek medical assistance if you feel you may have gastritis.
Functional Dyspepsia
The symptoms of functional dyspepsia mimic those of stomach ulcers and gastritis, but have no obvious cause. The Mayo Clinic suggests eating small meals more frequently, as having nothing but stomach acid inside you can give you a stomach ache. Fatty, spicy foods, sodas, caffeine and alcohol can trigger pain and should be consumed in small quantities. The Mayo Clinic recommends eating slowly and sitting upright for at least two hours after eating a meal.
Healthy Digestive System
To maintain a healthy digestive tract, eat a healthy diet, with regular intervals between meals. A healthy diet consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, dietary fiber from wholemeal foods and is low in saturated and trans fats. Sit down to eat and relax, taking time to breathe between mouthfuls. Eat moderate portions. Diet is not the only important factor. Maintain a healthy weight by getting regular exercise, and you will be less likely to suffer bloating, constipation and heartburn.
