Gastric Ulcer Diet: What To Eat For Faster Healing

When managing a gastric ulcer, it's important to choose foods that are gentle on the stomach and promote healing. Experts recommend a low-acid, bland diet that includes options like millet porridge, white rice congee, lean meat Congee, vegetable Congee, or easily digestible soups such as noodle soup and soft noodles. These foods help reduce gastric irritation and support the healing process.

However, if acid reflux is a significant issue, patients should avoid eating porridge for dinner. Instead, they should focus on consuming easily digestible foods that are non-acidic in nature. Non-citrus fruits and alkaline vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, and bananas are excellent choices. It's also crucial to avoid highly acidic foods such as kiwi, passion fruit, and lemons, as these can aggravate pain and delay healing. Additionally, individuals should steer clear of vinegar and overly sweet foods like honey, which may stimulate increased gastric acid production and worsen symptoms.

Maintaining a consistent eating pattern with smaller, more frequent meals is key for ulcer management. Overeating can cause excessive stomach expansion, leading to discomfort and pain. Alongside dietary changes, prescribed medications should be taken regularly, and most ulcers heal within about two months.

For patients with ulcers located in unusual areas or those accompanied by complications such as bleeding or erosion, a follow-up endoscopy after two months of treatment is recommended. This helps ensure proper healing and rules out the possibility of malignant ulcers that could delay critical treatment.