Peptic Ulcer Diet And Recipes
Peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of the stomach, lower esophagus, or small intestine, typically resulting from inflammation caused by bacteria or erosion caused by stomach acid.
There are three types of peptic ulcers gastric, esophageal, and duodenal describing where the ulcer is located, whether that is in the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine.
Many people believe that consuming high amounts of spicy foods can lead to peptic ulcers, but this is merely a myth. Stress does not lead to peptic ulcers either.
Lets look at a peptic ulcer diet, including foods you should eat and foods you should avoid, along with easy recipes to help you kick-start your new eating regimen.
What Is Ulcer Diet
An ulcer diet is aimed to lessen the pain and irritation that arises due to a painful sore that occurs in the lining of the stomach, oesophagus or small intestine. Diet plays a vital part in an overall care plan and helps to mitigate symptoms and heal the ulcer.
An ulcer diet together with a proper treatment plan may help to :
Correct nutritional deficiencies that may be causative factors for symptoms.
Supply adequate protein and other essential nutrients that the body needs to recover.
Help eliminate foods that worsen the inflammation.
A high fibre diet is associated with a low risk of peptic ulcers and adding foods rich in zinc and selenium may speed up the healing process.
Help to manage other related conditions like Crohns disease, celiac disease or bacterial infections, which may be contributing factors for ulcer development.
It is also advisable to limit certain foods that make trigger excess acid production and reflux.
So How Do They Work Exactly
Antioxidant-rich foods like cherries, blueberries, kale, and spinach boost your immune system to more effectively fight infections and even help ward off stomach cancer.
Whats more, mom was right about forcing you to eat broccoli. Research indicates that sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli, shows anti-H. pylori functionality.
Probiotic foods can be a little more complicated to work into your diet, but they are worth the effort! Clinical studies indicate loading up on foods like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi are like kryptonite for H. pylori bacteria.
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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
See your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Vomiting blood or dark material that looks like coffee grounds
- Extreme weakness or dizziness
- Blood in your stools
- Nausea or vomiting that doesnt get better, or gets worse
- A sudden, severe pain that may spread to your back
- Losing weight without even trying
Untreated peptic ulcers may cause other health problems. Sometimes they bleed. If they become too deep, they can break through your stomach.
Ulcers can also keep food from going through your stomach.
Diet Menu For Stomach Ulcers
The variety of diet and daily menu are directly dependent on the stage of the ulcerative process. That is why all questions about permitted or prohibited dishes should always be coordinated with the doctor who controls the dynamics of the disease.
Consider some of the nuances of the diet, depending on the stage of the process and the form of the disease.
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Nutrients Essential In Management Of Peptic Ulcers
Zinc
Zinc is an essential micronutrient which hastens the healing of ulcers. It also improves immunity against H.pylori infection which is one of the causative factors of peptic ulcers. Good immunity resists the bacteria to multiply & damage the lining causing ulcers. Zinc is also found to promote the growth of new cells in the stomach lining.
Selenium
Selenium in conjunction with zinc helps in building immunity to prevent recurrence of as well as heal the ulcers.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants such as vitamin A help in building new cells in place of the damaged cells. They along with flavonoids also help in protecting against oxidative stress developed in the digestive system as a result of the inflammation induced by the ulcers. The flavonoids also help in inhibiting the spread of H.pylori.
Fibre
Adequate fibre intake, both soluble as well as insoluble fiber, in the diet has found to decrease the risk of occurrence of peptic ulcers. Conversely, inadequate fiber intake through the diet has shown to increase incidence of ulcers. Fibre helps to dilute the bile & gastric secretions which may aggravate the ulcer symptoms, if they are more concentrated in the gut.
Probiotics
Probiotics, which contain healthy strains of lactobacillus bacteria, prevents the growth & proliferation of harmful bacteria like H.pylori, responsible for causing ulcers. They also protect the stomach lining from damage.
Vitamin C
Fluids
Why Should You Change Your Diet
Ulcer Diet Food List Why Should You Change Your Diet?
It would be unwise not to alter your diet if you suffer from stomach ulcers. Whenever you consume a diet that promotes healthy stomach and gut health, you will experience the following benefits:
- Provide your body with the protein and nutrients your body requires for restoration
- Assist you in eliminating all foods that irritate the small intestine and stomach walls
- It may aid in the reduction or elimination of symptoms associated with illnesses that increase symptoms of ulcers, such as celiac disease, bacterial infections, and Crohns disease.
- Contribute to the correction of any nutritional deficits
Eating the correct diet restores the gastrointestinal lining eroded by long-term anti-inflammatory medication use or bacterial infection.
With that said, below is the list of the foods you should include in your stomach ulcers die and those you should leave out or limit.
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What Is A Diet For Stomach Ulcers
The main goal of the treatment of ulcerative pathology is the regeneration of the tissues of the stomach and the restoration of malfunction of the digestive processes. This is the main direction of the diet.
In the period of exacerbation for 10-20 days, patients are prescribed diet No. 1a, then they switch to extended diet No. 1. During remission, the patient should, at the discretion of the physician, follow the No. 1 diet with an individual extension, or the No. 5 diet, depending on the condition. In any case, it is necessary to strictly observe the prescribed diet.
Diet 1 For Stomach Ulcers
It is prescribed to patients with a gastric ulcer at the stage of a subsiding exacerbation or at the stage of recovery, the duration of the diet is up to 5 months. High-calorie meals – up to 3000 calories per day. This method of eating involves eating wiped dishes that do not have a mechanical effect on the stomach wall. Products for diet 1 are boiled or cooked in a double boiler. Eating should occur every 2-3 hours. The ratio of carbohydrate-protein-fat should be observed in the range of 5: 1: 1.
The diet menu includes the use of stale pastries, unleavened sponge cake, low-fat boiled meat and egg proteins. Welcome milk and vegetable soup , seasoned with a small amount of butter or vegetable oil. Allowed cooked meat pieces of low-fat varieties, fish without bones and skin, cooked in a double boiler. Of the side dishes are preferred mashed cereal porridge, small vermicelli, vegetable puree or pudding. Be sure the presence in the diet of milk, sour cottage cheese and sour cream. For dessert, you can bake or weld sweet fruits , juices diluted with water, honey, marshmallow, non-sour jam.
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Beneficial Diets For Stomach Ulcers
While there is no specific diet recommended for stomach ulcers, there are some research-based dietary patterns that provide the beneficial emphasis on fruits, vegetables and other high-fiber foods. Commonly recommended diet patterns include:
To learn more about an individualized food plan that will help manage your health conditions, ask your doctor for a referral to a dietitian.
Characteristics Of Nutritional Therapy
The objective of peptic ulcer dietotherapy is to prevent hyper secretion of pepticchloride in order to reduce the sore and pain in the gastric and duodenal mucosa. Inaddition, nutritional therapy aims to promote healing, based on a complex sequence ofevents going from the initial trauma to the repair of the damaged tissue.Investigation of nutritional deficiencies is essential in the preparation of anappropriate recovery diet. In the early 20th century, Sippy proposed adiet based on milk and milk cream, combined with antacids, for treatment ofgastrointestinal ulcer, based on the principle that milk would provide gastricalkalinization and relieve pain. Today milk is not recommended due to the bufferingeffect and the significant gastric acid secretion effect of milk29.
According to Marrota and Floch18,calories distribution for patients with peptic ulcer should be normal, with valuesranging from 50-60% of carbohydrates, 10-15% of proteins, and 25-30% of lipids, withtotal energy value sufficient to maintain or recover the nutritional status.
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What Foods Should Not Be On The Table Of A Stomach Ulcer Patient
Diet therapy is an important link in the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers should choose foods that are easy to digest and contain enough calories, protein and vitamins, such as porridge, noodles, milk, soft rice, soy milk, eggs, lean meat, tofu and soy products, fresh vegetables and fruits, but those with obvious gastric acid reflux Flow should try not to drink milk.Will eating acidic foods aggravate stomach ulcers
Avoid fried foods and celery, leeks, sprouts, ham, bacon, dried fish and various whole grains that contain more crude fiber. Because these foods are not only rough and difficult to digest, but also cause a large amount of gastric juice secretion, which increases the burden and condition of the stomach. It is forbidden to eat foods that stimulate gastric acid secretion, such as broth, raw onions, raw garlic, concentrated juice, coffee, wine, strong tea, etc., as well as foods that are too sweet, sour, salty, overheated, cold, and hard.
Sweet and spicy food will increase gastric acid secretion, irritate the ulcer surface and aggravate the condition overheated food will irritate the ulcer surface, causing pain and even bleeding too cold and hard food will be difficult to digest and aggravate the condition. In addition, because the nicotine in tobacco can change the pH value of gastric juice and aggravate the condition of gastric ulcer, patients with gastric ulcer should quit smoking.
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Diet For Acute Gastric Ulcer
Acute ulcerative process is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome, so all the food that enters the stomach should be of a delicate and grated texture and minimally affect the stomach walls. Such food may include porridge, mashed soups, diluted broths, milk soups, yoghurt, mashed through a sieve or in a blender. All dishes are prepared with a minimum amount of salt , served not hot or cold. If desired, add some honey or butter to porridge.
For example:
- Breakfast – protein steam omelet, oatmeal
- Snack – yogurt
- Lunch – barley soup, mashed potatoes and carrots, steamed chicken breast slice, tea with milk
- Tea time – milk rice soup
- Dinner – oatmeal with butter, decoction of chamomile
- For the night – tea with milk.
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What Are The Causes Of Peptic Ulcers
The most common causes of peptic ulcers has been found to be Helicobacter pylori infection which invade the intestinal lining and damage it while proliferating. Also, indiscriminate use of NSAIDs has found to precipitate peptic ulcers.
Alcohol & tobacco intake as well as consumption of oily, spicy foods may worsen the condition of peptic ulcers, but has not been found to cause them. The most common, first line treatment for ulcers is administration of antacids and proton pump inhibitors which dilute the concentration of acid secretions in the stomach or reduce the acid production respectively.
Healthy Diet For Peptic Ulcer
A healthy diet is necessary to help aid in the healing of a peptic ulcer. But what exactly does that mean? Here are a few dietary guidelines to keep in mind if you have a peptic ulcer.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking.
- Avoid milk and dairy products as they promote acid secretion.
- Eat smaller amounts of food more often instead of large meals.
- Dont let your stomach remain empty for prolonged periods of time.
- Drink peppermint and chamomile tea, which can soothe the lining of the digestive tract.
- Take a teaspoon of aloe vera juice after meals.
- Consume foods high in vitamin C for prevention.
- Consume plenty of fiber.
- Eat foods high in flavonoids like apples, celery, and cranberries.
- Avoid spicy foods as some patients report worsened symptoms.
- Cut down on red meat.
Here is a list of foods and beverages you should avoid if you have a peptic ulcer.
- Hot chocolate and coffee
- Whole milk and chocolate milk
- Alcoholic beverages
- Spicy or strong flavored foods like peppers or strong cheeses
- Tomato products
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What Are The Complications Of Peptic Ulcers
Ulcers can cause serious problems if you dont get treatment.
The most common problems include:
- Bleeding. As an ulcer wears away the muscles of the stomach or duodenal wall, blood vessels may be hurt. This causes bleeding.
- Hole . Sometimes an ulcer makes a hole in the wall of your stomach or duodenum. When this happens, bacteria and partly digested food can get in. This causes infection and redness or swelling .
- Narrowing and blockage . Ulcers that are found where the duodenum joins the stomach can cause swelling and scarring. This can narrow or even block the opening to the duodenum. Food cant leave your stomach and go into your small intestine. This causes vomiting. You cant eat properly.
How To Eat With A Peptic Ulcer
How you eat when you have a peptic ulcer is as important as what you eat.
The first instinct you may have when you get a peptic ulcer is to stop eating and let the stomach rest. Not only would this deprive you of much-needed nutrition, but it can also make matters worse.
Eating the right food buffers the ulcer from stomach acids. By contrast, having an empty stomach can worsen symptoms because the stomach will keep churning out acids even if there is no food in it.
To end, you need to choose foods wisely rather than cutting back on nutrition.
There are other tips that can reduce symptoms of a peptic ulcer while you are eating:
- Eat five or six smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large ones.
- Sit upright in a chair while eating to avoid compressing the stomach.
- Eat slowly and chew each bite thoroughly.
- Relax a few minutes before and after each meal.
- Have your last meal or snack at least three hours before bedtime.
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Best Foods For A Stomach Ulcer
While theres no universal diet for treating stomach ulcers, a diet high in fiber appears a good place to start. High-fiber foods can prevent excess stomach acid secretion, which can reduce ulcer pain and protect the stomach lining as the ulcer heals.
Many high-fiber foods are also good sources of polyphenols, plant chemicals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and protective properties that work to improve healing.
High-fiber foods include:
- Whole-wheat bread
Because the H. pylori bacteria causes 70 percent of all stomach ulcers and can sometimes be challenging to eradicate, researchers are trying to understand how foods can help in the treatment of this infection.
A 2014 study from the World Journal of Gastroenterology suggests the healthy bacteria in yogurt and fermented milk products such as cultured buttermilk and kefir may increase the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for H. pylori.
In addition, the components in cranberry juice, green tea, garlic, turmeric, ginger, olive oil, broccoli and many other fruits and vegetables may also enhance standard antibiotic treatment, according to a 2016 study published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics. But more research is needed to clearly understand their role in managing stomach ulcers.
Spicy foods like curry may worsen your stomach ulcer symptoms. Or they may not.
Image Credit: jatuporn amorntangsati/Moment/GettyImages
Foods To Eat With A Peptic Ulcer
A bland diet is generally your best bet when dealing with a peptic ulcer. These foods are low in acidity, saturated fats, and spiciness.
Another rule of thumb is to choose foods that are high in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Studies have shown that fiber-rich diets reduce the risk of peptic ulcers by lowering stomach acids. Foods that are rich in vitamin A have similar effects.
Foods that are probiotic can speed healing by blocking H. pylori from attaching to the lining of the stomach. Probiotic-rich foods include pickled vegetables as well as certain fermented dairy products like yogurt and kefir.
Foods rich in flavonoids are also believed to inhibit the growth of H. pylori in the gut. These plant-based nutrients are found in berries and many other fruits and vegetables.
Among the foods you can eat if you have a peptic ulcer are:
- Bean and legumes, which are fiber-rich
- Eggs, which are rich in vitamin A
- Fish, including fatty fish that are rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fats
- Fiber-rich fruits, like apples, bananas, strawberries, and raspberries
- Flavonoid-rich foods, like cranberries, kale, broccoli, celery, and all berries
- Leafy green vegetables, which are rich in vitamin A
- Orange and yellow vegetables, like sweet potatoes and summer squash that are also rich in vitamin A
- Pickled foods, like kimchi, sauerkraut, and dill pickles
- Lean meats and poultry
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