An ulcer is a painful sore that develops around the stomach as a result of the thick layer of mucus protecting the stomach’s digestive juices being diminished. In this scenario, the stomach’s lining tissues are eroded by the digestive acids.
If medication is taken promptly and combined with lifestyle modification, among other measures, stomach ulcers can be treated. Dietary habits also have a role in ulcer prevention.
In ulcer patients, some foods are best avoided so as not to keep irritating the already sore area.
Spicy seasonings/foods
Spicy foods irritate the lining of the stomach and by extension the sore area. Spicy foods are also known to make ulcer symptoms worse in some cases.
Coffee
Coffee actually doesn’t cause ulcer but irritates it. The caffeine present in coffee erodes the already sore area (ulcer) making it worse and if the goal is to heal the ulcer, it is best to stay away from coffee or reduce taking it to the barest minimum.
Alcohol
An ulcer patient should avoid alcohol/alcohol beverages as a whole. Alcohol intake increases the stomach’s acid level making the ulcer worse and healing almost impossible.
Red meat
Ulcer patients (especially peptic) should stay away from red meat! Red meat takes longer to digest making acid level in the stomach to rise which irritates the area and worsens the symptoms. This can be replaced with chicken, turkey and other lean proteins.
Refined foods
Pasta, white bread sugar and more processed foods should be replaced with leafy greens and vegetables, antioxidants loaded fruits with lots of water.
