Peptic ulcers are painful, open sores that develop on the inside lining of the stomach (gastric ulcers) and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenal ulcers).
Given that they are located along the path that food and beverages travel during digestion, it’s not surprising that certain things a person with ulcers eats and drinks could irritate these lesions.
One of the best ways to manage peptic ulcers is by steering clear of foods and beverages that are known to aggravate them.
To avoid symptoms of a peptic ulcer, you need to lower your fat intake and avoid foods that trigger stomach acid and irritate open sores.
Avoid the foods mentioned below:
Spicy foods: You will want to skip anything that is “hot” such as chili peppers, horseradish, black pepper, and sauces and condiments that contain them.
Caffeine: You should cut back or eliminate coffee, tea, and caffeinated sodas.
Alcohol: This will delay healing and you should avoid wine, beer, and spirits.
Chocolate: Some people find chocolate to be a heartburn trigger.
Bread and grains: Those with high-fat ingredients such as biscuits, croissants, granola, as well as those with seeds or bran may be irritating.
Vegetables: Some find raw vegetables, tomatoes, or vegetables prepared with added fat to be heartburn triggers.
Fruits: Citrus fruits and their juices may be irritating, as can be berries and figs due to their tiny seeds.
Milk and dairy products: Those higher in fat and cream may be irritating, as can be strong-flavored cheeses.
Meats: Highly-seasoned meats, lunch meats, sausages, nuts, seeds, and fried or fatty meats and proteins may be irritating.
Fats: You may need to avoid gravy, cream soups, and highly-seasoned salad dressings.
Snacks: You may need to skip high-fat or fried snacks such as chips, fried potatoes, buttered popcorn, cakes, cookies, pies, and pastries.