In the fast-paced urban lifestyle, gastric ulcers rank among the most common ailments. What methods can help manage them? What foods are beneficial for daily consumption? As a gastrointestinal condition, dietary adjustments are essential for managing gastric ulcers. Here, we outline key dietary considerations for those dealing with gastric ulcers.
Dietary Recommendations for Gastric Ulcers
Establish a reasonable eating schedule: Eat at regular times and in consistent portions. Chew food thoroughly and slowly, minimize talking, and avoid reading or watching TV during meals. Maintain a relaxed mindset and positive mood. During active ulcer phases, prioritize liquid or semi-liquid foods that are easily digestible and nutrient-rich.Previously, some scholars advocated frequent small meals to avoid overeating or hunger. Recent research suggests that while eating may temporarily relieve pain, frequent small meals continuously stimulate gastric acid secretion, keeping it active throughout the day—clearly detrimental to ulcer healing.Therefore, except during acute flare-ups with bleeding or hematemesis where short-term frequent small meals may be necessary, patients should generally adhere to three regular meals per day.
Dietary Remedies for Gastric Ulcers
Potato Honey Paste
Ingredients: 1000g potatoes, honey to taste.
Method: Wash potatoes thoroughly. Blend into a paste using a food processor. Wrap in clean cheesecloth and squeeze out juice.Place in a pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat. When thickened, add an equal amount of honey and stir thoroughly. Continue simmering over low heat until paste-like consistency forms. Cool and set aside. Take on an empty stomach twice daily, 1 tablespoon each time. One course of treatment lasts 20 days.
Benefits: Suitable for gastric and duodenal ulcers.Avoid spicy foods like chili peppers, scallions, garlic, and alcohol during consumption.
Stone Peach and Pork Tripe Soup
Ingredients: 90g fresh stone peach (or 30g dried), 500g fresh pork tripe.
Method: Cut tripe into large chunks and place with stone peach in a double boiler. Add sufficient water and steam for 1 hour.Season to taste, consume the broth and pork stomach. If not finished in one sitting, may be consumed in portions.
Benefits: Suitable for gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, malnutrition, etc.
Jellyfish, Red Dates, and Brown Sugar Formula
Ingredients: 500g jellyfish, 500g red dates, 250g brown sugar.
Method: Place jellyfish, red dates, and brown sugar in an earthenware pot. Add water and simmer over low heat until thickened into a paste. Take 1 spoonful twice daily.
Benefits: Strengthens the spleen and stomach. Suitable for those with gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Citron and Adzuki Bean Porridge
Ingredients and Method: 10g citron, 30g each adzuki beans, coix seeds, and Chinese yam, pork stomach broth, and salt to taste. Decoct citron to extract juice, strain out residue. Add adzuki beans, coix seeds, Chinese yam, and pork stomach broth. Simmer into thin porridge. Season lightly with salt. Take one serving daily.
Efficacy: Clears heat and harmonizes the stomach. Suitable for epigastric burning pain, dry mouth with bitterness, irritability, and constipation.
Peach Kernel and Pork Stomach Porridge
Ingredients and Method: 10g each of peeled and de-tipped peach kernels and raw rehmannia root, 50g each of cooked pork stomach slices and rice, and appropriate seasoning.Finely chop the pork stomach slices. Simmer in double the volume of water to extract the broth. Add pork stomach slices and rice, cooking into a thin porridge. Season to taste when done. Take once daily.
Efficacy: Tonifies qi, invigorates blood, resolves stasis, and alleviates pain.
Egg and Notoginseng Stew
Ingredients and Method: 1 egg,30ml honey, 3g Sanqi powder. Beat egg in a bowl, mix in Sanqi powder, steam until cooked, then stir in honey before serving.
Efficacy: Soothes liver qi, harmonizes stomach, strengthens spleen. Suitable for upper abdominal pain with vomiting, nausea, and belching.