What vegetables can you eat if you have an ulcer?

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

According to UCHealth, certain foods and drinks can aggravate ulcer symptoms, though diet itself doesn't cause ulcers. A key part of managing symptoms and promoting healing is choosing the right foods. This guide focuses on what vegetables can you eat if you have an ulcer, highlighting options that are gentle on the digestive system and rich in protective nutrients.

Quick Summary

Eating a balanced diet with specific vegetables can help manage ulcer symptoms and promote healing by reducing stomach acidity and providing beneficial nutrients. Focus on low-acid, fiber-rich, and antioxidant-packed options while avoiding those that cause irritation. This approach can support overall gut health and aid recovery.

Key Points

Low-Acid Vegetables: Focus on low-acid options like carrots, potatoes, and red bell peppers to reduce irritation and soothe the stomach lining.
Rich in Antioxidants and Fiber: Vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and spinach are packed with antioxidants and fiber, which help fight H. pylori bacteria and protect the stomach lining.
Cooking is Key: Thoroughly cooking vegetables through steaming, boiling, or roasting makes them easier for a sensitive stomach to digest compared to eating them raw.
Probiotics from Fermented Vegetables: Include small amounts of fermented vegetables like sauerkraut to introduce beneficial bacteria that can aid in gut health and combat H. pylori.
Avoid Irritants: While diet doesn't cause ulcers, some foods can aggravate symptoms. Limit or avoid spicy foods, acidic items like tomatoes, and excess fat.
Medical Guidance is Essential: Dietary changes are a supportive measure, not a cure. Always combine proper nutrition with prescribed medical treatment for effective ulcer management.

The Importance of an Ulcer-Friendly Diet

Managing your diet is a crucial step in alleviating the discomfort associated with stomach ulcers, which are often caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While the notion that spicy food or stress causes ulcers is a myth, these factors can exacerbate symptoms. A diet rich in high-fiber foods, antioxidants, and probiotics can help protect the stomach lining, fight off H. pylori, and speed up the healing process.

Vegetables That Are Gentle on the Stomach

Choosing vegetables that are low in acidity and easy to digest is key. Cooking vegetables until they are tender can also make them more manageable for a sensitive stomach.

Low-Acid Root Vegetables

Carrots: Rich in vitamin A, carrots are a soothing, low-acid vegetable that can help promote healing of the stomach lining. They can be cooked, steamed, or puréed into soups.
Potatoes: Research has shown that potato juice contains an antibacterial substance that can help combat the bacteria that cause ulcers. Opt for yellow or white potatoes and avoid sweet potatoes, which can be higher in acid.
Sweet Potatoes: While often recommended for ulcers, sweet potatoes can have mixed effects. They are high in vitamin A but should be consumed in moderation to see how your body reacts.

Cruciferous and Leafy Greens

Broccoli: Contains sulforaphane, a compound with proven anti-H. pylori activity, making it a powerful choice for those with ulcers. It is also high in fiber, which helps reduce acid levels in the stomach.
Cabbage: Studies from the mid-20th century, though outdated, showed potential for cabbage juice to aid in ulcer healing due to a specific vitamin (vitamin U). Today, it's recognized as a good source of antioxidants and fiber.
Cauliflower: Like broccoli, cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable high in antioxidants that can be gentle on the stomach when cooked.
Kale and Spinach: These leafy greens are packed with vitamins and calcium. When cooked, they become easier to digest and provide essential nutrients for healing.

Other Helpful Vegetables

Red Bell Peppers: A fantastic source of vitamin C, which is crucial for wound healing and immune support. Unlike other peppers, red bell peppers are non-acidic and rich in antioxidants.
Radishes: These are a low-acid vegetable that can be included in an ulcer-friendly diet.
Garlic: Known for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, garlic may help combat H. pylori infection. Some individuals may find raw garlic irritating; cooking it can help.
Asparagus: Another nutrient-dense, low-acid option that can provide essential vitamins without causing irritation.

A Simple Guide to Adding Vegetables to Your Diet

Soups and Stews: Cooking vegetables in soups or stews makes them very tender and easy to digest. A broth-based soup with carrots, potatoes, and spinach is an excellent choice.
Steamed Vegetables: Steaming is a great way to soften vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus, preserving their nutrients without adding irritating fats.
Purées and Mashes: For extreme sensitivity, puréeing vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or sweet potatoes can be soothing. Think of a simple carrot ginger soup or mashed potatoes.
Fermented Vegetables: Probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut and kimchi can promote a healthy gut microbiome, which may help keep H. pylori in check. Start with small amounts to assess tolerance.

Comparison of Ulcer-Friendly Vegetables


Vegetable	Key Benefit	How to Consume	Potential Irritant (if any)
Broccoli	Sulforaphane for anti-H. pylori activity; High in fiber	Steamed, cooked in soups	Can cause gas in some people; best cooked
Carrots	Rich in Vitamin A for healing; Low-acid	Cooked, steamed, juiced, puréed	Generally none
Potatoes	Antibacterial properties; Alkaline nature	Cooked, mashed; avoid sweet potatoes for higher acid	None in white/yellow varieties
Red Bell Peppers	High in Vitamin C; Antioxidant-rich	Cooked, roasted; a mild pepper	Avoid spicy varieties like chili peppers
Spinach & Kale	High in vitamins, calcium; Antioxidant-rich	Cooked, blended in smoothies or soups	Raw leaves might be fibrous, better cooked
Cabbage	Traditional remedy with potential healing factors	Cooked, fermented (sauerkraut)	Can cause gas in some; moderation is key
Cauliflower	Antioxidant properties; Low-acid	Steamed, roasted, mashed	Can cause gas; best cooked

Cooking and Preparation Tips

Prioritize Cooking: Eating vegetables raw can be difficult for a sensitive stomach due to their high fiber content. Cooking them thoroughly by steaming, boiling, or roasting breaks down the fibers, making them easier to digest.
Avoid Irritating Additives: Use gentle cooking methods and avoid adding excessive spices, fats, or acidic ingredients like vinegar or tomatoes, which can trigger symptoms.
Focus on Bland but Flavorful: Enhance flavor with herbs like chamomile or ginger, or small amounts of garlic, rather than irritating spices.

Important Considerations for Ulcer Management

While diet plays a supportive role, it is not a cure for ulcers. Medical treatment, often involving antibiotics and acid-reducing medications, is necessary for effective healing.

Consult a Professional: Always speak with a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes, especially when managing a medical condition like an ulcer.
Listen to Your Body: What works for one person might not work for another. Pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods and adjust accordingly.
Lifestyle Factors: Complement your diet with other healthy habits, including reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking, both of which can irritate the stomach lining.

Conclusion

Making informed choices about your vegetable intake is a powerful way to support the healing process when you have an ulcer. By focusing on low-acid, fiber-rich, and antioxidant-packed options like carrots, broccoli, and leafy greens, and preparing them in gentle ways, you can nourish your body without causing further irritation. Remember that diet is a supplement to, not a replacement for, medical treatment. Combining a supportive diet with your doctor's recommendations is the most effective path to recovery.

Center for Digestive Diseases

Frequently Asked Questions

Not all raw vegetables are necessarily bad, but they can be more irritating for some people with ulcers due to their fibrous nature. Cooking vegetables breaks down the fiber and makes them much easier for a sensitive stomach to digest.

Yes, you can eat white or yellow potatoes. Studies have shown they contain antibacterial properties that may help combat the bacteria causing ulcers. They are also alkaline, which can neutralize stomach acid.

Broccoli is considered beneficial for ulcers because it contains a compound called sulforaphane, which has anti-H. pylori activity. It's best to eat it cooked to prevent gas and bloating.

Yes, tomatoes and tomato-based products are highly acidic and are generally recommended to be avoided as they can significantly aggravate ulcer symptoms. Cooked tomatoes are still acidic.

While it was once thought that spicy foods cause ulcers, they are not the cause. However, the capsaicin in chili peppers can irritate the stomach lining and worsen existing ulcer pain. Mild bell peppers are a safer option.

The best cooking methods are steaming, boiling, or roasting. These methods soften the vegetables, making them easier to digest, and avoid adding excess fats or irritating spices.

Yes, some vegetables, such as broccoli (containing sulforaphane) and garlic (with antimicrobial properties), have been shown to have a potential positive effect on combating H. pylori. Probiotic-rich fermented vegetables like sauerkraut may also help balance gut bacteria.