An ulcer refers to a sore inside the stomach. Ulcers can, generally, occur due to exposure to bacteria or long-term use of medications referred as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Stomach ulcers are also referred as gastric ulcers or peptic ulcers. These ulcers can be really painful and irritating, specifically when digestive acids are released inside the stomach.
There are certain foods that might trigger ulcer pain or irritation. The suitability of these foods and the reasons for irritation may vary from person to person. Some common foods that trigger ulcer irritability and discomfort have been listed ahead.
Once you get to know the food that causes ulcer irritation, it is always better to avoid those foods.
Diet plays an important role in elevating or relieving ulcer irritation. Eating a healthy and balanced diet can help relieve the irritation. It is, however, important to exclude foods that can trigger the irritation. Read the following tips to avoid ulcer irritation.
Fruits and veggies play a vital role in preventing the occurrence of ulcer irritation. Make sure to include a variety of fruits and green veggies in your diet. Some good examples include spinach, carrots, broccoli, and sweet potatoes and fruits like cranberries, apples, onions, cranberry juice and celery. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables provide fibre that helps in quick healing of ulcers.
Whole grains and whole grain bread and pasta show good tolerance levels in ulcer patients. The high level of fibre in whole grains not only prevents irritation, but also aids quick healing. Adding further, whole grains contain important nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, selenium and iron. Some good examples of whole grains include brown rice, whole wheat bread, oatmeal and millet.
Foods containing high fat content, generally cause discomfort. It is recommended to avoid such foods if you are an ulcer patient. Some good choices of low fat dairy products include low fat milk, cheese or yogurt, low fat ice cream and buttermilk. If, in any case, you don’t have tolerance for dairy foods, soy milk can be a good alternative.
Prefer foods with lean protein to avoid ulcer irritation. Some healthy choices include poultry, lean red meat (like strip steak or pork chops), tofu, beans and seafood. Also, nut butter, nuts and seeds are great choices as sources of lean protein. However, these foods might contain high fat content. Therefore, make careful selection to avoid protein with high fat content.
Avoid stress. Stress can aggravate ulcers and using relaxing and de-stressing technique can prevent irritation to a certain extent.
Quit smoking and make sure you eliminate or limit the consumption of tobacco and alcohol.
Eat regular meals. It is best to eat 5-6 small and frequent meals instead of three big meals.
Don’t skip meals. Make sure to keep your stomach filled with little food at all times.
Vitamins, specifically Vitamin C, should not be consumed on an empty stomach.
Limit consumption of drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, as they irritate ulcers.
In addition to above mentioned tips and suggestions, it is very important to consult your doctor for your ulcers. Generally, ulcers are a result of bacterial attacks and can be treated easily with antibiotics. If, in any case, it is not possible to treat these ulcers with antibiotics, ask the doctor about other possible treatments and medications to reduce acid formation and irritation.