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Foods for peptic ulcer, gastritis, stomach pain: light, dairy, enveloping

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Unfortunately, in most cases we start thinking about the health of our stomach only when we feel some discomfort after eating: it could be a feeling of heaviness, flatulence or even pain. In such a situation, we have to see a doctor, undergo diagnostics and treatment, and stick to a diet. But all this could have been avoided if we chose the right products for the stomach in advance – it is no secret that properly organized nutrition helps prevent a large number of different diseases, and not only of the digestive system, but also of blood vessels, the urinary system, joints, etc.

We will talk about which foods are good for the stomach and which ones are better to avoid.

Healthy foods for the stomach

Products that are good for a healthy stomach may be harmful for gastritis or peptic ulcers, so the question of "usefulness" should be approached individually. For example, raw vegetables and fruits, as well as other foods rich in fiber, are excellent food for a healthy person, as they saturate the body with vitamins and normalize the removal of toxins and toxic accumulations. With gastritis, you will have to give up coarse fiber so as not to injure the irritated and inflamed gastric mucosa.

First, let's define a list of products that are useful and necessary for healthy digestion:

  • Vegetable oils (in particular, flaxseed, olive) – contain a large amount of tocopherol and omega-3 fatty acids. Such oils are the best salad dressing instead of harmful mayonnaise.
  • Oatmeal is a storehouse of nutrients, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber.

  • Fermented milk products are the best product for stabilizing the function of the intestines and the digestive system as a whole, as they contain natural bifido and lactobacilli. Kefir, cottage cheese, yogurt are nutritious and healthy products that are easily digested by the stomach.
  • Bananas are a nutritious and healthy fruit that will add energy and support intestinal microflora.
  • Berries are a good alternative to fruits: they are easier to digest and fill the body with antioxidants, easily absorbed vitamins and minerals.
  • Vegetables are easier for the stomach to digest than fruits, but contain no fewer vitamins and microelements.

And another specific product for the stomach is clean drinking water, which is very necessary for the normal functioning of the entire digestive tract. Water removes toxic substances, improves peristalsis, eliminates excess acid in the stomach, improves blood circulation.

Heavy foods for the stomach

The degree of "heaviness" of foods for the stomach depends not only on their origin and composition, but also on how exactly they are prepared. The stomach most easily accepts stewed, boiled, steamed food, as well as fresh vegetables, greens, berries and fruits.

Fried foods, especially those with a lot of fat, are difficult for the stomach to digest, complicate the digestion process, and impair the absorption of nutrients.

Other foods that are considered difficult for the digestive system include:

  • products with chemical additives, harmful fats, large amounts of salt (chips, croutons, fast food, sausages, smoked meats, snacks);
  • fried in oil chebureki, belyashi, donuts;
  • margarine, animal fats, lard, fatty meat;
  • carbonated waters, including Coca-Cola, energy drinks;
  • alcoholic beverages;
  • baked goods, fresh pastries, cakes and pies with butter cream.

The stomach has a hard time accepting dry food, as well as large amounts of food eaten at one time (for example, during a feast).

Light foods for the stomach

The lightest foods that are quickly digested in the stomach are considered to be:

  • berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries);
  • fermented milk products, especially low-fat ones;
  • vegetables, greens, fruits (especially bananas);
  • fish;
  • jelly, jelly on a natural basis;
  • freshly squeezed juice;
  • puddings, steamed omelettes, cream soups;
  • lean (low-fat) types of meat.

Dairy products for the stomach

Dairy products provide the body with essential proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Milk protein is considered a complete protein, which is easily and efficiently absorbed by the stomach. In addition, milk contains a lot of calcium and other minerals.

Nutritionists believe that a healthy diet should include low-fat dairy products, preferably without any heat treatment (if there is no milk intolerance). Fermented milk products normalize gastric secretion, facilitate digestion of food, and create a feeling of satiety.

  • Kefir is digested much faster than milk. In addition, fresh kefir helps to normalize intestinal flora and increase intestinal motility.
  • Yogurt without chemical fillers is rich in beneficial lactic acid bacteria, which promote normal functioning of the digestive system.
  • Cottage cheese is a healthy product for the stomach with a high content of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. It is equally well absorbed both fresh and in the form of casseroles, cottage cheese pancakes, etc.
  • Hard cheese is a particularly healthy protein product with a high content of amino acids. For dietary nutrition, it is better to choose natural cheese with a fat content of 45% or less.
  • Butter – in small quantities is simply necessary for the stomach for good digestion and normal functioning of the gallbladder.

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Products for the stomach during gastritis

For gastritis, the following products will be useful for the stomach:

  • low-fat meats (white meat is preferable);
  • oatmeal "Hercules";
  • rice and buckwheat groats;
  • low-fat varieties of sea fish;
  • dairy products;
  • boiled eggs or steamed omelettes;
  • bananas, baked sweet apples;
  • boiled vegetables (carrots, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, pumpkin, potatoes);
  • non-acidic berries in the form of compotes, jellies, and kissels.

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Products for a stomach with high acidity

Increased acidity is usually accompanied by heartburn, sour belching, and abdominal pain. To alleviate the condition with increased acidity, it is recommended to focus on the following products for the stomach when composing a diet:

  • dried pieces of bread, biscuits, unsalted crackers;
  • boiled eggs;
  • boiled vegetables (potatoes, zucchini, squash, carrots, celery, parsnips, beets);
  • rice, buckwheat and oatmeal, vermicelli;
  • cream soup, puree soup;
  • fresh fermented milk products;
  • low-fat types of sea fish;
  • bananas.

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Enveloping products for the stomach

Products that coat the gastric mucosa prevent the development of inflammation and improve well-being in case of ulcer disease. If you consume at least one of the listed products daily, your stomach will function without problems for many years.

  1. Flaxseed contains natural mucous substances that create a protective layer on the walls of the stomach, preventing the negative impact of coarse and poor-quality food. The seeds contain vitamins and fiber, which is necessary for normal intestinal motility.
  2. Natural honey improves digestion and is suitable for use with both low and high acidity. Only with excess acidity should honey be washed down with warm water, and with a deficiency - with cool water. Honey gently envelops the mucous membrane and protects it from various unfavorable factors.
  3. Ripe bananas contain natural mucus, which prevents the formation of ulcers and erosions, and also helps to get rid of existing problems.
  4. Rice is a natural adsorbent that releases mucous substances into the water when cooked for a long time. Rice porridge is considered one of the most dietary and easily digestible cereals.
  5. Potatoes contain starch, which coats the stomach walls, so they can even be used for peptic ulcers – but only in boiled and mashed form.
  1. When oatmeal is cooked for a long time, it releases mucous components into the water. It is this property that allows the product to be used to speed up the healing of gastritis and stomach ulcers.

Dishes that contain starch, such as fruit and berry jelly, also have an enveloping property.

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The best foods for the stomach

Healthy, fresh and high-quality products for the stomach are only half a step towards your own health. No less important is how to eat healthy food.

You should not eat dry food, on the run, or swallow food without chewing first - all this will only complicate the work of the stomach.

It is not recommended to watch the press or TV while eating, or to eat in front of a computer monitor. By being distracted by other objects, we reflexively worsen the secretion of gastric juice. As a result, food is not digested sufficiently, which can cause additional problems with the digestive system. In addition, by being distracted from eating, it is easy to overeat and overload the walls of the stomach.

To facilitate digestion, it is better to eat meat products in the first half of the day, but not at night. Shortly before bed, it is better to drink a cup of kefir or yogurt - digestion will improve, and you will sleep much more peacefully.

It is not advisable to drink liquids during or immediately after a meal - this will slow down the digestion process, which can cause heaviness in the stomach. Water and other drinks are drunk half an hour before a meal, or 1-1.5 hours after it.

If you follow the above recommendations and also consume mainly healthy foods for the stomach, you can be sure that your digestion will work well for many years.

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