Peptic ulcers can be defined as open sores, which establish on the inner lining of the stomach and the upper section of the small intestines. Stomach pain is the most common symptom of the peptic ulcer.
Peptic Ulcer Diet
Is there a need for a peptic ulcer diet? The answer is yes, as planned peptic ulcer diet will help in a faster ulcer healing process and also the amount of suffering and abdominal pain during the treatment process is greatly reduced if the patients consume the right type of food.
Any meal plan that restricts you from eating foods that cause displeasure in your stomach can be termed as peptic ulcer diet. Symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn, bloating and stomach pain can be worsened by some foods. You should eat healthy foods from the various food groups. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy foods which are free or with low fat are the foods you should eat. Brown rice, cereals, pasta and whole-wheat breads are all whole grains. Also, you should use lean meat, nuts, fish, beans, eggs and poultry. A healthy diet is one with low unhealthy fats, added sugar and salts. Olive and canola oils are healthy fats.
Healthful Peptic Ulcer Diet: What Food Should You Eat for Peptic Ulcer
Always choose a healthy diet for peptic ulcer, one that is full of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits rich in vitamin A and C. Your body might not easily heal the peptic ulcer, if you are eating foods which are not rich in vitamins. Fruits and vegetables have low nutrient and calorie dense, meaning they are rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants and minerals. You can reduce unhealthy foods and remain naturally full, if you concentrate on eating the recommended serving of fruits and vegetables five times in a day. For example having a half a cup of raw vegetable, fruit, banana or apple is a serving. We should double our current intake. Ensure you add berries to breakfast cereals, change your dessert to fruits, salad for side dish and vegetables such as snow peas, carrots and cherry tomatoes in place of processed foods to make a healthy peptic ulcer diet.
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Consume Probiotic Food as a Part of Peptic Ulcer Diet
Probiotic foods help in faster healing of peptic ulcer and it is highly recommended to consume probiotic foods as a part of your peptic ulcer diet. Yogurt and raw cheese are the best probiotic foods.
Yogurt is the best source for probiotic bacteria’s, which are good in keeping your gut in a healthy balance. The bacteria aid in taming digestive problems, diarrhea and gas.
Raw cheese is an excellent probiotic food and should be included in peptic ulcer diet. milk from goats, sheep and A2 cows have high probiotic bacteria’s, such as bifudus, thermophillus, acidophilus and bulgaricus. To gain probiotics, ensure you buy raw and unpasteurized cheese.
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Fiber as a Part of Peptic Ulcer Diet
Fiber plays an excellent role in peptic ulcer diet. Any plant-based food that cannot be broken down by enzymes found in the intestines is known as fiber. Apart from enhancing your digestive tract to a healthy one, eating foods rich in diet also aid in reducing peptic ulcer developing risks, as well as improving the healing of active ulcers and so fiber should be used as a part of your peptic ulcer diet. Ensure you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables as your high fiber diet.
Adult men are recommended to eat 30-38g of fiber, and adult women to eat 21-25g of fiber in a day, as per their ages by the Food and Nutrition Board, to have a healthy digestive system, and to lower the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
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Cranberry Can Also Be Used as a Part of Peptic Ulcer Diet
The capacity to fight urinary tract infections through hindering bacteria from camping on the walls of the bladder has made cranberry famous. Besides, cranberry and its extracts aid in fighting H. Pylori and it is recommended in the peptic ulcer diet. You can drink its juice, eat the berries or even take its supplements.
Nevertheless, the amount of consumption linked with relief is not specific. Consumption of too much cranberry in any form can lead to stomach discomfort, regardless of having peptic ulcer or not. Therefore, you should consume small amounts and increase the consumption amount with time.
Note: Most cranberry juices for commercial uses are sweetened using high amounts of sugar or fructose corn syrup, which might cause stomach upset, while adding zero calories. Therefore you should avoid such juices for proper healing of peptic ulcer. Use natural cranberry as a part of your peptic ulcer diet.
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Honey Plays an Excellent Role in Peptic Ulcer Diet
Honey can be used in your peptic ulcer diet. Besides being sweet, honey comprises of up to 200 elements, such as different antioxidants and polyphenols, depending on the plant they are obtained from. Also, honey is a strong antibacterial, which has displayed the ability to hinder the growth of H.pylori and should be considered in your peptic ulcer diet. You can enjoy honey just like any other sweetener, so long as your blood sugar level is normal. Besides enjoying the sweetness, honey as an advantage of soothing your peptic ulcer.
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Mastic is Also Used in Peptic Ulcer Diet
Mastic is a sap which is obtained from a tree grown in mediterranean. Although studies are not clear, one study indicates you can fight H. pylori by chewing mastic. The sap has no side effects, hence suitable for use, if your peptic ulcer are not responsive to various medications. You have the option of chewing the gum as a part of peptic ulcer diet, or swallowing the sap as supplement.
Peptic Ulcer Diet Guidelines
- Ensure you chew foods completely in general and while in peptic ulcer diet.
- Always maintain a two hour gap between a meal and sleep.
- Avoid any food that may lead to discomfort and keep it away from the peptic ulcer diet.
- Either stop or lower you smoking habits, since smoking makes the peptic ulcer healing process slower.
- Ensure you eat food in a relaxed manner as opposed to eating in a hurry, as well as eating and swallowing the food slowly.
- Use antacids when needed, but beware antacids containing magnesium can initiate diarrhea.
- If you have ulcer, avoid using aspirin, medicines having a combination with aspirin, and some arthritis medication, since they hinder healing of ulcer or even can ulcers to occur.
- Avoid using items that cause gastric discomfort, such as chili powder, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, tomato products, fatty and fried foods, citrus fruits and juices, black pepper and either red or hot pepper.
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MedlinePlus – Peptic Ulcer: MedlinePlus offers comprehensive information on peptic ulcers, including their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment approaches. https://medlineplus.gov/pepticulcer.html
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National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) – Dietary Factors and Gastric Ulcer: This research article discusses the role of diet in gastric ulcer prevention and management. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4070586/
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