Bland Diet for Ulcers

Suffering from an ulcer does not mean you need to eat plain, flavorless foods. While you should cut out drinks and foods that irritate an ulcer, a bland diet is described as easy to digest and lightly seasoned. Anyone who suffers from chronic gastritis, dyspepsia, acid reflux or ulcers should eat a bland diet to reduce discomfort.

Foods to Avoid

If you suffer from ulcers or other digestive discomforts, it is important to avoid trigger foods that cause pain after eating. Spices that should be used sparingly to prevent ulcer discomfort include pepper, mustard, salad dressings, and chili powder.

Foods to avoid include raw fruits, aside from bananas, vegetables that cause gas like cabbage, broccoli, sauerkraut, peppers and onions, high-fat processed meats like sausage or sandwich meat, chocolate, broth, and soups with spices, such as chili. Avoid eating foods that are fried or greasy like french fries, chips, fried meats and doughnuts.

Drinks like coffee, tea, soda, citrus and tomato juices and alcohol should be refrained from while suffering from an ulcer.

Recommended Foods

Aside from the foods to avoid to prevent ulcer discomfort, you may eat anything as long as it is low-fat, low-acid and has mild seasoning. Use a salt-free substitute such as Mrs. Dash to season food to enhance taste.

Foods considered for a bland diet include: milk products, potato, pumpkin, peas, squash, avocado, banana, plain crackers, rice, pasta, poultry, fish, and any fats or oils like olive oil may be used lightly.

Prevention

Even if you suffer from ulcers or other gastric discomfort, do a few things to limit flare-ups. Eat many small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals to help digestion move more efficiently. Eat slower, so the body has time to process food as you are eating as opposed to it sitting in the stomach for long periods.

Avoid lying down at least four hours after eating to prevent heartburn or indigestion.