What to eat for a stomach ulcer to promote healing and reduce irritation

December 29, 2025 •

3 min read

Recent studies show that incorporating certain foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and probiotics can significantly help with the healing process of a stomach ulcer. While medication is essential for treatment, knowing what to eat for a stomach ulcer can play a crucial supportive role in recovery and symptom management.

Quick Summary

Eating a diet focused on high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and probiotics can help manage ulcer symptoms and promote healing. Avoiding acidic, spicy, and fatty foods while prioritizing gut health is key to effective recovery.

Key Points

Embrace High-Fiber Foods: Oats, apples, and leafy greens absorb excess stomach acid and provide protective compounds.
Choose Lean Proteins: Opt for easily digestible sources like skinless chicken, fish, and eggs to aid tissue repair.
Include Probiotic-Rich Foods: Yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables can help combat H. pylori bacteria and restore gut balance.
Limit or Avoid Irritating Beverages: Stay away from coffee, alcohol, milk, and acidic juices, which can increase stomach acid production.
Practice Mindful Eating: Eating smaller, more frequent meals and chewing food thoroughly can prevent excess acid buildup and reduce bloating.
Assess Individual Tolerance: Pay attention to how your body reacts to specific foods, as triggers can vary from person to person.

How Your Diet Impacts Stomach Ulcers

Your diet plays a critical supportive role in managing and healing a stomach ulcer. An effective ulcer diet aims to reduce inflammation, neutralize excess stomach acid, and provide the nutrients needed to repair the stomach lining. Modern research emphasizes a balanced, nutrient-rich approach focusing on foods that are gentle on the digestive system, promote good gut bacteria, and are rich in protective compounds.

Best Foods to Include for Ulcer Healing

Incorporating a variety of these foods can provide relief and support stomach recovery. Opt for simple cooking methods like steaming, baking, and boiling.

Fruits and Vegetables

Choose high-fiber options rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Consider bananas, melons, berries (which may help inhibit H. pylori growth), broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (containing sulforaphane), leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

Lean Proteins

Essential for tissue repair, opt for lean, low-fat options. Examples include skinless chicken and turkey, lean fish like cod or salmon, eggs, and tofu.

Whole Grains and Fiber

High-fiber grains can absorb excess stomach acid and reduce bloating. Good choices are oats, brown rice, quinoa, and potentially whole-wheat bread or pasta.

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Beneficial bacteria can help balance the gut and may fight H. pylori. Include unsweetened yogurt and kefir with live active cultures, miso, and sauerkraut.

Other Helpful Additions

Consider raw or Manuka honey (for antibacterial properties), turmeric and ginger (for anti-inflammatory effects), and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) root (which may protect the stomach lining).

Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit

Limit items that can irritate the stomach lining and increase acid production.

Irritating Beverages

Avoid alcohol (damages lining, increases acid), coffee and caffeinated drinks (stimulate acid production), milk (stimulates further acid production), and acidic juices like citrus and tomato.

Spicy, Fatty, and Acidic Foods

Steer clear of spicy foods (can irritate existing ulcers), fried and fatty foods (harder to digest, cause discomfort), and potentially citrus fruits and tomatoes (acidity may cause pain).

High-Salt and Processed Foods

Limit processed meats and snacks (high sodium linked to H. pylori risk), canned soups, and processed meals (often high in salt and preservatives).

A Comparison of Ulcer-Friendly vs. Aggravating Foods


Category	Ulcer-Friendly Choices	Potentially Aggravating Choices
Dairy	Low-fat yogurt (with live cultures), Kefir	Whole milk, Cream, High-fat cheeses
Fruits	Bananas, Melons, Berries, Pears	Oranges, Lemons, Grapefruits, Tomatoes
Vegetables	Broccoli, Carrots, Leafy Greens, Squash	Spicy Peppers, Raw Onions, Strong-flavored vegetables
Protein	Skinless Chicken, Fish, Eggs, Tofu	Fatty Meats (Bacon, Sausage), High-Fat Red Meats
Grains	Oats, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Whole-Wheat Bread	Refined Grains (White bread), Highly-processed cereals
Beverages	Water, Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Ginger), Decaf Green Tea	Coffee (Regular & Decaf), Alcohol, Carbonated Drinks, Citrus Juices
Fats	Olive Oil, Avocado, Nuts (in moderation)	Fried Foods, Greasy Foods, High-fat dressings

Healthy Eating Habits for Ulcer Management

Adopting certain habits supports healing and prevents flare-ups.

Eat Smaller, More Frequent Meals

Consume five to six smaller meals daily instead of three large ones to stabilize stomach acid levels.

Chew Food Thoroughly and Slowly

Proper chewing aids digestion and reduces air swallowing.

Avoid Eating Before Bedtime

Finish eating two to three hours before lying down to prevent heartburn and reflux.

Listen to Your Body

Monitor your reactions to foods with a journal, as tolerance varies individually.

Conclusion

While medical treatment is crucial for stomach ulcers, dietary and lifestyle changes are valuable for recovery. Focusing on high-fiber foods, lean proteins, and probiotics while limiting irritants like coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods supports a healing environment. A balanced approach with medical guidance offers the best path to recovery. For more general digestive health information, you can visit the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.

A Note on Professional Guidance

Always consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially with a stomach ulcer.

Frequently Asked Questions

While milk may provide temporary relief by coating the stomach, it actually stimulates further acid production, which can worsen an ulcer over time. It is generally recommended to limit or avoid milk.

It is best to limit or avoid coffee, including decaffeinated varieties, as it can stimulate stomach acid production and irritate the ulcer. Herbal teas like chamomile or ginger are better alternatives.

For many people with an existing ulcer, spicy foods can act as a direct irritant and exacerbate symptoms like pain and burning. It is wise to avoid them, though spicy foods do not cause ulcers.

Opt for non-acidic fruits that are gentle on the stomach, such as bananas, melons, apples (without the skin), and berries. These provide fiber and beneficial compounds without triggering irritation.

Yes, some studies show that probiotics may help combat the H. pylori bacteria and support ulcer healing. Foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are good sources.

Yes, fatty and fried foods are best avoided. They are harder to digest and can lead to bloating and discomfort, which can aggravate ulcer symptoms.

Healing time varies, but a proper diet combined with medical treatment can help many ulcers begin to heal within a few weeks to a few months. Consistency is key.