People with peptic ulcers should be very careful about their diet. To reduce pain and heal wounds faster, it is best to completely avoid the following foods:
1. Spicy Foods
Chilli, garam masala, and excessive black pepper can irritate the ulcers. This can cause severe burning and pain in the stomach. Eat only mildly spicy foods until the ulcer heals.
2. Caffeinated Drinks
Coffee, strong tea, and colas can significantly increase acid production in the stomach. This can make the ulcer more severe and cause heartburn.
3. Excessively Sour Fruits (Citrus Fruits)
Lemons, oranges, grapes, and tomatoes are high in citric acid. Eating such fruits while you have an ulcer can cause stomach ulcers to become inflamed.
4. Fried and fatty foods
Fried foods, fast food, and fatty meats take longer to digest. These can cause acid to build up in the stomach wall, increasing pain.
5. Alcohol and smoking
Alcohol can damage the mucous lining of the stomach. This can cause new ulcers to form and existing ones to bleed. Smoking slows down the healing of ulcers.
6. Dairy products (in some cases)
In the past, drinking milk was thought to be good for ulcers. However, while milk can provide temporary relief, it can also cause the stomach to produce more acid. This can lead to increased pain later.
Foods that can be eaten by people with ulcers:
Yogurt and buttermilk: The probiotics in these can help kill the bacteria that cause ulcers.
Banana: It has a special ability to counteract stomach acid.
Vegetables: Vegetables that are high in water content and mild in taste, such as okra and pumpkin, are ideal.