Foods to Eat and Avoid If You Have an Ulcer

The traditional treatment for patients experiencing ulcers used to be composed of mild foods. While some ulcer patients must still reserve a place at their plate solely for bland foods, the majority are now felt to benefit from a more balanced diet featuring a variety of foods. The aim of a balanced diet is not just to soothe the effects of an ulcer, but to stimulate the healing process.

Foods for Healing Ulcers
No one particular type of diet is preferable for patients suffering from an ulcer, according to the Univ. of Maryland Medical Center. While food choices that promote the body's healing process are recommended, a key component in choosing an effective diet is the avoidance of any food that causes further irritation of the ulcer.

Fiber for Ulcer Patients
Although the bland diet has been banished as the primary food treatment for those with ulcers, the centerpiece of that tradition remains. A diet high in fiber facilitates the healing process. Soluble fiber is the best choice which means eating plenty of oat based foods. Other effective choices for getting enough fiber include grains, dried beans and both fruits and vegetables that have a peel.

Vitamin K to Repair Ulcer Damage
Foods that serve to repair the damage done by the stomach's gastric juices should become a mainstay of the diet of an ulcer patient. Foods high in vitamin K content can accomplish this so you should make leafy green vegetables a part of as many meals during the day as possible.

Zinc to Heal Ulcer's Tissue Damage
Properties contained in zinc are effective at healing the body's tissue. Zinc is readily available in a number of different foods that afford a variety of options for different tastes. You can increase the amount of zinc in your diet by adding choices like oysters, sesame seeds, dark chocolate and liver. While the liver of all animals contain zinc, the highest concentration can be found in veal liver.

Foods all Ulcer Patients Should Avoid
Certain food choices fall into the category of those that should be avoided in nearly all ulcer cases. A common treatment for ulcers in the past is now considered one of the biggest obstacles to overcoming ulcer pain. Today's ulcer patients are advised to stay away from dairy products as well as any food that contains milk as a major ingredient. These dietary components can actually make the ulcer worse because they stimulate the secretion of stomach acid.

Foods To Avoid that Trigger Ulcer Pain
According to drugs.com, certain food items act as common triggers for many patients experiencing an ulcer. Since not everyone will have their condition triggered by these foods, you may want to experiment with their effects before making a final decision on excising them from your diet. Common trigger foods for ulcers include tomatoes, onions, garlic, cinnamon, peppermint and foods high in fat.