Diet For Ulcers And Gastritis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? A diet for ulcers and gastritis means eating foods that are mildly flavored and easy to digest. Research does not show that there is one correct diet for every person with stomach problems. You should plan your meals to include only the foods that you tolerate the best. You may need this diet if you have ulcers, gastritis, stomach pain, or too much acid in your stomach. Or you may need this diet if you have had stomach surgery, nausea, vomiting (throwing up), or too much gas.

Care:

• The foods you should eat and those you may need to avoid are listed below. Try to eat the number of servings listed for each food group every day to get a balanced diet.
  
  
• Eat at regular times each day. Do not divide your food into six small meals unless you have trouble getting enough to eat. Eating too often can increase the acid in your stomach.
  
  
• Keep your intake of milk and dairy products to 3 servings per day or less. Choose lowfat or fat-free dairy foods whenever possible. This will also help control stomach acid production.

• Alcohol, black and red pepper, chilies, chili powder, and hot peppers often irritate the stomach lining. Foods with caffeine can increase the amount of stomach acid. These foods include coffee (regular and decaf), teas, colas, cocoa, chocolate. Avoid or limit these items if they cause you pain.
  
  
• Limit your intake of tomatoes, tomato juice, peppermint, fatty foods, and citrus juices. If they cause heartburn or pain in your esophagus. You may need to limit seasonings such as onions, garlic, cinnamon, and cloves if they upset your stomach.

• Eating high fiber foods does not worsen stomach pain for most people with ulcers or gastritis. High fiber foods include whole grains, cooked dried beans, and fruits and vegetables with peels.
  
  
• You may notice that some foods cause you to have extra gas. This may include broccoli, cabbage, onions, milk, cooked dried beans and peas, and some fruits. Pay attention to the foods that cause you trouble, and limit or avoid them according to how you feel.

Serving Sizes: Use the list below to measure foods and serving sizes. A serving size means the size of food after it is cooked or prepared.

• 1 pint or 2 cups (16 fluid ounces) of liquid is the size of 1-1/3 soda-pop cans.
  
  
• 1-1/2 cup (12 fluid ounces) of liquid is the size of a soda-pop can.
  
  
• 1 cup (8 fluid ounces) of food is the size of a large handful.
  
  
• 1/2 cup (4 fluid ounces) of food is about half of a large handful.
  
  
• 2 tablespoons (Tbsp) is about the size of a large walnut.
  
  
• 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) is about the size of the tip of your thumb (from the last crease).
  
  
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) is about the size of the tip of your little finger (from the last crease).
  
  
• 3 ounces of cooked meat, fish, or poultry is about the size of a deck of cards.
  
  
• 1 ounce of cooked meat, fish, or poultry is about 1/4 cup (c).
  
  
• One ounce of hard cheese is about a 1 inch cube.

Beverages: Drink 6-8 cups of water and liquids (the size of 4 to 6 soda pop can size glasses) each day.

• Caffeine-free drinks
  
  
• Low acid juices, such as apple, grape, or pear
  
  
• Mild herbal teas
  
  
• Water
  
  
• Do not drink the following beverages if they cause pain or discomfort:
  
  
  • Alcoholic drinks
    
    
  • Hot cocoa
    
    
  • Peppermint tea
    
    
  • Regular and decaf coffee
    
    
  • Regular hot or iced tea
    
    
  • Soft drinks with caffeine

Breads and Starches: Eat 6 to 10 servings a day from this list.

• 1/2 cup cooked pasta, noodles, or macaroni
  
  
• 1/2 cup cooked rice or cream of rice
  
  
• 1/2 cup cream of wheat or oatmeal
  
  
• 3/4 cup dry cereal
  
  
• 1/2 cup mashed potatoes
  
  
• 1 medium roll or bun
  
  
• 1 slice bread
  
  
• 6 saltine crackers
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain or excess gas:
  
  
  • Bagels with chili or peppers
    
    
  • Barbeque or taco chips
    
    
  • Potato chips, french fries, or fried potatoes

Fruits: Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list.

• 1 medium apple, peach, pear, or orange
  
  
• 1/2 cup applesauce or canned fruit
  
  
• 15 grapes
  
  
• 1 kiwi fruit
  
  
• 1-1/4 cup melon or berries
  
  
• 1/2 cup mild juices, such as apple, grape, or pear
  
  
• 1 small banana
  
  
• Avoid the following drinks if they cause pain or discomfort:
  
  
  • Orange or grapefruit juices
    
    
  • Lemonade or limeade

Vegetables: Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list.

• 1/2 cup cooked vegetables
  
  
• 1 cup fresh vegetables
  
  
• 2 cups salad greens
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain, discomfort, or excess gas:
  
  
  • Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts
    
    
  • Green or red bell peppers
    
    
  • Hot chiles
    
    
  • Onions and garlic
    
    
  • Sauerkraut and pickled vegetables
    
    
  • Tomato products, such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, or tomato juice
    
    
  • Vegetable juices

Meat / Meat Substitutes: Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list.

• 1 cup of a casserole made from allowed foods
  
  
• 1/2 cup lowfat cottage or ricotta cheese
  
  
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  
  
• 2 ounces semi-hard lowfat cheese, melted into other foods
  
  
• 2 scrambled or soft cooked eggs
  
  
• 2-3 ounces tender meat, fish, seafood, turkey, or chicken
  
  
• 3 ounces tofu
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain, discomfort, or excess gas:
  
  
  • Dried cooked beans, such as pinto, kidney, or navy beans
    
    
  • Fried or greasy meats
    
    
  • Highly seasoned, high fat meats, such as sausage, salami, bacon, ham, and cold cuts
    
    
  • Ribs and other meats with barbecue sauce
    
    
  • Tough or stringy meats (like corned beef or beef jerky)

Milk and Dairy: Eat 2 to 3 servings a day from this list.

• 1/2 cup custard or pudding
  
  
• 1/2 cup lowfat ice cream or ice milk
  
  
• 1 cup lowfat milk or milk drink
  
  
• 1 cup lowfat yogurt
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain, discomfort, or excess gas:
  
  
  • Chocolate milk products
    
    
  • High fat dairy foods, such as cream or half and half
    
    
  • Spicy or strongly flavored cheeses, such as jalapeno or black pepper

Fats: Eat 2 to 4 servings a day from this list.

• 1 teaspoon (tsp) butter or margarine
  
  
• 1 teaspoon (tsp) oil (any kind, like corn, olive, safflower, vegetable)
  
  
• 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) salad dressing
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain or discomfort:
  
  
  • Almonds, peanuts, walnuts
    
    
  • Crisp bacon
    
    
  • Guacamole dip with chili powder

Soups: Eat up to 3 servings a day from this list.

• 1 cup broth or bouillon
  
  
• 1 cup lowfat cream soup with vegetables
  
  
• 1 cup chicken, beef, or vegetarian noodle soup
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain or discomfort:
  
  
  • Chile or bean-based soups
    
    
  • Minestrone and other tomato-based soups

Other Items:

• Gelatin desserts made with foods listed above
  
  
• Mild lowfat gravies and sauces
  
  
• Salt and other mild seasonings
  
  
• Do not eat the following foods if they cause pain or discomfort:
  
  
  • Barbecue sauce
    
    
  • Chili, taco, or picante sauces
    
    
  • Chili peppers or powders
    
    
  • Chocolate
    
    
  • Horseradish
    
    
  • Pickles
    
    
  • Spicy or hot marinades and sauces
    
    
  • Steak or Worchestershire sauce

CALL YOUR CAREGIVER IF:

• You have questions about the serving sizes in this diet.
  
  
• You have questions about how to prepare or cook foods on this diet.
  
  
• You have questions about how or where to buy foods on this diet.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your illness, medicine, or this diet.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your diet. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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