Best Foods and Meal Ideas for Stomach Ulcer Patients - Nutrition

Dr. Shi Guimei reply Nutrition

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Hello! The Department of Health's Food Information website provides detailed dietary guidelines for patients with gastric ulcers (a type of peptic ulcer).
Here are the summarized dietary principles for your reference:
Dietary Principles for Patients with Peptic Ulcers
The food choices for patients with peptic ulcers are categorized into three phases based on the severity of the ulcer:
1.
Phase One – From Bleeding Onset to 2-3 Days Post Hemostasis: During this period, it is best to consume milk or provide food in liquid form.

2.
Phase Two – From 2-3 Days Post Hemostasis to Recovery: Similar to Phase One, milk or liquid foods are recommended.
3.
Phase Three – Recovery Phase: The diet can resemble a normal diet, and patients should choose a variety of foods unless they experience discomfort.
Dietary Principles for Patients with Acute Gastritis:
Initially, fasting for 1-2 days is advised to allow the stomach to rest, but small amounts of water can be consumed to prevent dehydration.
As the condition improves, gradually introduce small, frequent meals of milk and liquid foods, then slowly increase the quantity and variety of foods.
Dietary Principles for Patients with Chronic Gastritis:
A mild diet is recommended, with small, frequent meals.
It is important to relax and maintain a positive mood during meals.
What is a Mild Diet?
A mild diet is non-irritating, low in fiber, easy to digest, and nutritionally adequate.

- Non-Irritating: Foods that do not stimulate gastric acid secretion or damage the gastric mucosa should be avoided.
- Low Fiber: Fiber primarily comes from plant-based foods and is often difficult to digest, such as bran from grains, skins and seeds from fruits, skins of legumes, and coarse tissues in vegetables.
These rough materials can harm the gastrointestinal tract and should be avoided.
However, individuals with healthy teeth and gums who can chew food thoroughly and mix it with saliva do not need to completely avoid these foods.
- Easy to Digest: In addition to fiber, some animal tendons and gelatin are also hard to digest.
Cooking methods are important; steaming, boiling, stewing, and pureeing foods are easier to digest than frying or baking.
- Nutritionally Adequate: Despite dietary adjustments due to illness, it is essential to ensure that the nutrients provided are sufficient.
The diet should still include a variety of foods from the six major food groups to obtain a wide range of nutrients.
Food Choices:
- Irritating Foods: Avoid foods that stimulate gastric acid secretion or damage the gastric mucosa, such as coffee, alcohol, gravies, chili, mustard, and pepper.
Individual reactions to foods vary, so dietary adjustments should be made accordingly without complete fasting.
- Acidic Foods: High-acid fruits like pineapple, oranges, and tangerines can be consumed after meals without significant irritation to ulcer patients, so they do not necessarily need to be avoided.
- Gas-Producing Foods: Some foods can cause bloating and discomfort; these should be avoided, but whether a food causes gas varies by individual and should be based on personal experience.
- Hard Foods: Foods like fried rice, barbecued meats, sticky rice products (like rice cakes and zongzi), various desserts, fried foods, and ice cream can often lead to discomfort and should be chosen carefully.
Precautions for Patients with Peptic Ulcers and Gastritis:
- Eat at regular times and in appropriate portions.
- Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly, maintaining a relaxed mood, and rest briefly after meals before resuming activities.
- Consume small, frequent meals, including snacks in the morning, afternoon, and before bed in addition to three main meals.
- Follow a mild diet, ensuring a wide variety of foods from the six major food groups for balanced nutrition, avoiding a diet high in starches.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Maintain a structured lifestyle, avoid staying up late, reduce unnecessary stress, and keep a positive mindset.
Sincerely,
Shih Kuei-Mei, Head of the Nutrition Department, Taoyuan Hospital, Department of Health, Executive Yuan.

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Reply Date: 2007/12/19