A peptic ulcer occurs when the stomach lining or duodenum begins to erode. The ulcers are referred to as ‘peptic’ because they are connected to the activity of pepsin (a vital digestive enzyme) and acid on the cells lining the duodenum and stomach.
Peptic ulcers come in two variants: gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer is located in the stomach and a duodenal ulcer is located in the duodenum. The two different ulcers have different symptoms and typically different treatments. If left untreated, ulcers can lead to some serious consequences and reduction of life quality. But thankfully, ulcers can be treated with the appropriate medical therapy. In the interim, you can adjust your diet to make living with the ulcer easier. Below are some of the best foods to eat when you have a peptic ulcer, to alleviate some of the pain.
Foods to Eat
The key to a good peptic ulcer diet is to prioritize the eating of foods that are less likely to cause heartburn or stomach irritation.
- Bread and grains
Eat whole grain breads, cereals, and grains, but make sure they are low in fat. - Vegetables
Vegetables are always great for your stomach lining, but make sure they don’t contain capsaicin, the compound that makes food spicy. - Fruits
You should eat fruits, but make sure to juice them first. The juice is easier to digest and less likely to result in heartburn. - Milk and dairy products
Milk is great for soothing your stomach so long as you aren’t lactose intolerant. Yogurt is especially good for soothing your stomach thanks to its probiotic properties. - Meat and other proteins
Lean meat, eggs, soybean products, fish, dry beans, and peas are great choices for stopping your peptic ulcers from acting up.
