Dietary Changes for Peptic Ulcer?

It is a myth that spicy foods or a stressful job can cause peptic ulcers. Doctors now know that a bacterial infection or some medications - not stress or diet - cause most peptic ulcers.

Your doctor will help in identifying what type of peptic ulcer you have and what medications are appropriate for your peptic ulcer treatment.

Dietary changes may help reduce the symptoms of peptic ulcers and/or promote healing in some people. However, different people have different tolerance to foods, and dietary changes may not help everyone.

It always helps to keep a food diary and record what you eat, at what time, and any symptoms you may have. This helps you to be more aware of what foods, if any, may cause you distress.

Suggestions include:

• Eating a balanced diet that contains whole grains, fruits, vegetables.
• Considering use of a multivitamin. Studies have shown that a vitamin or mineral deficiency can make healing peptic ulcers much more difficult.
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol.
• Avoiding coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated.
• Avoiding caffeine from other sources, such as chocolate or soda.
• Avoiding acidic or spicy foods, if these foods cause your discomfort to increase. Acidic foods include citrus foods and foods containing tomatoes. Spices reported by some patients to increase discomfort include black pepper, chili pepper, chili powder, cayenne pepper, mustard seed, and nutmeg.
• Watching your intake of fatty foods, such as fried foods, fast food, and rich desserts, if you think these foods cause discomfort. Some patients report that fatty foods increase their level of pain.
• Avoiding peppermint, if you find that peppermint increases your level of discomfort.
• Avoiding large meals.
• Not consuming anything three to four hours before bedtime.