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Which Foods are Allowed on the Peptic Ulcer Diet?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

A peptic ulcer diet generally includes low-fat foods, including lean meats, fish, and poultry. Most non-seeded whole grain breads and pasta are allowed as well, as are cereals, although those low in sugar are best. Almost all fruits and vegetables are permitted, although fruits that are acidic, such as citrus fruits, should be avoided or consumed rarely. Smooth or chunky peanut butter may also be eaten, if the person with the ulcer can tolerate it.

Peptic ulcers can affect people differently, and some foods may not cause stomach distress for every individual with this condition. The diet, however, is created as a general guide for all those who have this problem. Foods recommended for this diet are those less likely to cause heartburn, indigestion, and irritation of the stomach lining.

When consuming poultry, such as chicken or turkey, skinless is best. Fried foods should be avoided, although baked or grilled meats are acceptable. When preparing fresh bacon, it should be well cooked to a crispy texture.

Fish may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet, however citrusy fruits like lemons and oranges should be avoided.
Fish may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet, however citrusy fruits like lemons and oranges should be avoided.

People on the peptic ulcer diet can eat whole grain rice, white rice, or brown rice, but should not eat fried rice. Pasta, including whole grain pastas and egg noodles, may be eaten. Dishes with tomato sauce should be avoided, due to the acidic content of tomatoes.

Most breakfast foods can be eaten on this diet. This includes all types of cereal, including oatmeal, as well as whole grain bagels and muffins. Eggs are fine for most people, although fried eggs should be avoided.

Skinless poultry may be consumed on a peptic ulcer diet.
Skinless poultry may be consumed on a peptic ulcer diet.

Fruit juice may be consumed while on a diet for peptic ulcer patients. It should be noted, however, that tomato juice may cause stomach irritation in some individuals with this condition. Citrus juices, such as orange and grapefruit juice, should also be avoided unless well tolerated.

Dairy products that are allowed on a peptic ulcer diet are those low in fat. Most cheeses can be consumed on this type of diet, although low-fat cheese is best, and sharp and spicy varieties should be avoided. Cottage cheese is permitted. Low fat yogurt is also allowed, and may include plain or fruit flavors. Those that contain fruits with seeds should not be eaten.

Most soups can be eaten, although tomato or tomato-based soups are the exception. Leans meats or chicken may be used as stock. Meat substitutes such as soy and tofu may be consumed.

White rices and non-acidic fruits and vegetables may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet.
White rices and non-acidic fruits and vegetables may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet.

Condiments and dressings are allowed, but only those that do not contain high amounts of fat. The individual on a peptic ulcer diet should choose mayonnaise and salad dressings that are low fat. Margarine should used instead of butter. Jellies, honey, or sugar are also allowed in moderation. Strawberry jams and preserves with seeds should be avoided, however.

Snacks and desserts such as gelatin, graham crackers, and angel food cake are permitted. Low-fat pound cake may be eaten sparingly. Rice cakes are also acceptable.

Discussion Comments

anon939659

I am less than two weeks pregnant and now is when my peptic ulcers worsen, yet I can't take any medication. What should I do?

anon315255

@Sara84: I don't think it's the ulcers themselves that are hereditary. I believe it's more of the way our bodies (our stomachs, rather) deal with medicines, such as the NSAIDS, or H. pylori if we are exposed to it, and then the foods that can aggravate ulcers that can be inherited. I mean, it makes sense, right?

My Dad has a sensitive stomach when it comes to tomatoes and certain other things, and he likes to drink milk to relieve that pain. Guess what? I do too! And now here I am with my very own ulcer baby. Just like Daddy. I say ulcer baby because my best friend just found out she is pregnant, and it seems we have to treat our ulcers same way when we are pregnant that we have to treat the first trimester. We try not to let our tummies get empty so we can avoid that empty feeling that can add to the stomach juices churning around in there. I actually read on one site a lady said that she used to eat gummy bears, through her long bout with her ulcer. She stumbled across them and found the gelatin in them eased her pain.

anon305182

I have been to internal medicine doctors with what started as pain in my upper left abdomen, then extreme dizziness, then vomiting once a night every third night with no relief from heartburn or nausea. After I had my first appointment with the internal medicine doctors in September 2012, they said I had a gallstone, probably lodged in the pancreatic duct.

So, I had a CT scan and interior exterior ultrasound and all were unremarkable. I have not lost an ounce, my stools don't float and are not greasy. I have no rash on my hands or feet, but do on my face. I started a bland diet with no problem because I have never eaten fried or greasy food, but do have a weakness for sweets.

The vomiting and dizziness stopped, but the burning was a constant, 24-hour pain. It felt like a pulling or twisting in that left side. It also hurts if I bend at the waist or even if I lift a gallon of milk. I went to the local clinic and asked for carafate. They gave me both sucralfate in a 1 gram pill – 120 of them – and the liquid carafate. I took the pill for two weeks with no relief, so then I took 2 teaspoons of the liquid first thing in the morning three days later. For the first time in six months, I'm not having pain, but the feeling that there is a baseball stuck under my left rib cage is still there, and it's still painful if I bend or lift. Has anyone reading this had the same weird feelings? Any information will be appreciated.

andee

I have a brother who has a peptic ulcer and he isn't very good about following a strict diet like this. His doctor has told him how important it is, but he would rather eat the foods he loves than eat food that tastes so bland.

I think this is going to catch up to him someday, and wonder how much longer he will be able to avoid it. I think he feels that the medication he takes will eliminate the symptoms, but he still gets a lot of stomach pain and burning.

SarahSon

@myharley-- I think that reducing stress is just as important as changing your diet when it comes to healing a peptic ulcer. The stress can contribute to just as many physical symptoms as eating the wrong kind of foods can.

I have a history of ulcers so know what they feel like. If I start to get that burning feeling in my stomach I know what changes I need to make. Oatmeal, boiled eggs and cottage cheese are some of the foods that I eat frequently if I feel like my ulcer is starting to act up.

Mykol

I have heartburn and indigestion, but don't think I have an ulcer. This diet sounds pretty much like the list of foods my doctor told me to avoid to help with my heartburn.

I am supposed to avoid greasy and fried foods along with acidic foods. I used to drink orange juice every morning for breakfast and I really miss that. I also miss eating fresh tomatoes when they are in season, but I found out I could tolerate the orange tomatoes because they don't have the acid content that the red ones do.

myharley

Yes, being on a stomach ulcer diet is not much fun, but it has been worth it because I feel better. When the doctor told me I had an ulcer I was not real surprised because I had been under a ton of stress.

It seemed like everything I ate made my stomach burn and I would just grab food on the run. I had to change my eating habits and my routine, but it has made a difference, and my ulcer is healing.

Now when I think about eating something I know I shouldn't, I just remember the pain I used to have and pass it up. I miss pizza and pasta more than anything, but have found creative ways to enjoy them without the spicy sauce.

eidetic

I think it's interesting that the peptic ulcer is sort of a rough guide for treating stomach ulcers. It seems like different people with peptic ulcers might react differently to different foods, so the only way to know if just try different things and see how you react to it.

For example, my friend has a peptic ulcer, and she can tolerate fruit juices fine. However, foods that are really high in fat bother her a lot. She found this out through trial and error when she was first diagnosed.

SZapper

@Monika - The diet to treat stomach ulcer symptoms does sound pretty restrictive, but I think I would rather stick to the diet then deal with the ulcer symptoms. My friend had a peptic ulcer, and it made her life miserable until she went on the diet! At first she was really unhappy about it, but when she started feeling better she just accepted the diet.

Monika

The diet for peptic ulcer symptoms sounds rather bland, but not too hard to remember. It basically sounds like you should eat low fat, and try to avoid acidic foods. I'm not surprised by this, because high fat foods can be harder to digest, and acidic foods can bother your stomach even if you don't have stomach troubles!

Still, I wouldn't want to have to be on a peptic ulcer diet. I like too many different foods to be limited to a low fat diet and not be able to eat sharp cheese!

ceilingcat

@anon268380 - It sounds like you should go back to your doctor and let him know the medicine isn't working for the helicobacter pylori symptoms. Maybe your doctor can then prescribe you something else that will work. From what I understand, there are several different drugs out there for h pylori.

anon268380

I went to the doctor and diagnosed as having pylori bacteria. I was recommended pylori drugs which didn't work. I am still feeling the burning stomach. Please help me.

Sara84

My stomach ulcer felt like constant heartburn, alternating with hunger. I lost a lot of weight too. I tried everything--milk of magnesia, antacids, different kinds of foods. Nothing seemed to help, so I finally went to my doctor.

Turns out I had a peptic ulcer and he put me on a special diet and I feel a lot better. I also found out that I have a family history of ulcers. Who knew ulcers could be inherited?

jessica500

I had an ulcer once and the doctor said it was caused by the h pylori bacteria. He said this bacteria is very common, and causes a lot of stomach ulcers.

He gave me a prescription for antibiotics. I also found it was helpful to drink milk or eat ice cream to ease the burning sensation I had in my stomach.

After I finished my antibiotics, the pain and burning went away. I have not had any trouble since then. I used to think all ulcers were caused by stress until I had one. It is amazing what bacteria in our bodies can do.

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    • Fish may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet, however citrusy fruits like lemons and oranges should be avoided.
      By: diamant24
      Fish may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet, however citrusy fruits like lemons and oranges should be avoided.
    • Skinless poultry may be consumed on a peptic ulcer diet.
      By: Christian Jung
      Skinless poultry may be consumed on a peptic ulcer diet.
    • White rices and non-acidic fruits and vegetables may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet.
      By: M.studio
      White rices and non-acidic fruits and vegetables may be eaten on a peptic ulcer diet.
    • Low fat dairy products may be consumed on a peptic ulcer diet.
      By: draghicich
      Low fat dairy products may be consumed on a peptic ulcer diet.
    • A bowl of oatmeal.
      A bowl of oatmeal.
    • A healthy stomach and one with peptic ulcers.
      By: Alila
      A healthy stomach and one with peptic ulcers.
    • Low-fat mayonnaise is allowed as a condiment on the peptic ulcer diet.
      By: uckyo
      Low-fat mayonnaise is allowed as a condiment on the peptic ulcer diet.
    • Cereal and most other breakfast foods may be consumed on the peptic ulcer diet.
      By: Okea
      Cereal and most other breakfast foods may be consumed on the peptic ulcer diet.
    • Skinless chicken is good for someone on a peptic ulcer diet.
      By: Viktor
      Skinless chicken is good for someone on a peptic ulcer diet.
    • Peptic ulcers can have varying affects on different people.
      By: designua
      Peptic ulcers can have varying affects on different people.