Ulcers are sores that form in the lining of your digestive tract, which includes the stomach, esophagus and duodenum. Food does not cause ulcers to form, although consuming certain foods can irritate them further and slow the healing process. Foods that are high in fat, high in acid or spicy in nature may cause an increased production of stomach acids, and are best eaten in limited amounts or avoided completely.
Beverages
Drink 6 to 8 cups of liquid each day and make some of it water. Consume low-acid juices, such as apple and grape, and drink herbal teas that are mildly flavored and free of mint. Avoid alcoholic beverages, and do not drink caffeinated products, such as coffee, tea, hot cocoa and caffeinated soda.
Breads and Starches
Eat bread, crackers, potatoes, pasta, rice and dry cereal. Consume hot cereals, such as cream of wheat, cream of rice and oatmeal and have six to 10 servings of breads and starches each day. Do not eat breads laced with spicy peppers or greasy snacks, such as potato chips.
Fruits and Vegetables
Avoid high-acid citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit and tangerines, and do not drink citrus juices. Eat fruits, such as apples, peaches, pears, grapes, kiwi, melons, berries and bananas, which are better tolerated, and have two to four servings each day. Vegetables that you may not tolerate comfortably include chili peppers, onions, garlic, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and bell peppers. Do not eat sauerkraut or pickled vegetables, and avoid tomatoes and tomato-based products, such as tomato juice, tomato paste and tomato sauce, which are high in acid. Consume vegetables that do not cause you to experience discomfort, and eat two to four servings each day.
Meat and Dairy
Do not eat meats that are highly seasoned and high in fat, such as sausage, salami, bacon, ham and cold cuts. Avoid all fried, greasy, tough or stringy meats, such as corned beef and jerky and do not eat meats in spicy marinades and sauces. Choose two to four servings each day of lean meats instead, such as fish, seafood, turkey or chicken, or eat meat substitutes such as tofu. Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy products and have two to three servings each day. Consume cottage or ricotta cheese, milk, yogurt, ice cream, pudding or custard. Avoid all full-fat dairy products, spicy or strongly flavored cheeses and milk products containing chocolate.
Miscellaneous Foods
Consume fats in small amounts of two to four servings each day, and choose healthy fats, such as olive and canola oil. Avoid spicy seasonings, such as pepper and chili pepper, and do not eat any products containing chocolate.
