Diet Gastritis, Colitis And Stomach Ulcer

Heartburn, acidity, difficult digestion, nausea, even vomiting, bloating, etc. Having a stomach problem is pretty vague. In fact that essentially groups together 3 problems: that of the stomach ache, that of the ulcer in the stomach and finally that of the more general digestive disorders which one puts on the account of the stomach, the intestines and the liver. So here is our gastritis, ulcer and enterocolitis diet that will help you regain your digestive comfort!

What diet for gastritis, ulcer and colitis?

Before revealing to you all our dietary advice to combat stomach discomfort, focus on diseases affecting the digestive system, starting with gastritis. Very painful, gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach which, in most cases, is caused by the bacteria Helicobacter Pylori. The disease can be acute or chronic. In any case, the gastritis diet aims to improve digestive comfort and ensure adequate nutritional intake. This is normally a diet high in fiber and antioxidants, and low in foods that irritate the stomach lining.

The peptic ulcer disease, also called gastric ulcer (if located in the stomach) and duodenal ulcer (in the form into the duodenum) is somehow wound, a form of erosion, which penetrate deeply in the wall of the digestive tract. Often painful, these sores come in direct contact with acid in the digestive tract (a situation similar to putting an alcohol swab on a scrape).

With regard to enterocolitis or simply colitis, it is an inflammation that affects both the small intestine and the colon that is also called the large intestine. In fact, it is not a disease strictly speaking but rather a syndrome, a set of manifestations linked to acute or chronic inflammation of the colon. The latter can be linked to an infection by a virus or a bacterium, to taking antibiotics, to poor blood supply or even to chemotherapy. As for the symptoms, they can vary depending on the cause of the syndrome.

The essential points of diet in case of gastritis

The Special Diet for Gastritis, Ulcer and Colitis aims to avoid eating foods that tend to irritate the stomach or make digestion painful, while allowing you to maintain optimal energy intake. The essential points of such a special diet are to increase the consumption of soluble fiber and foods rich in vitamin A, to limit the consumption of irritating drinks and fatty and spicy dishes, and to split meals in order to avoid 'clutter up the stomach.

Food gastritis: the good and bad foods under the microscope

Caffeine is a compound found in coffee, tea, cocoa and coca-cola. Caffeine is rapidly absorbed by the body and reaches the brain no more than five minutes after ingestion. Consumed over a prolonged period, it causes physical dependence and causes a lot of health problems.

Foods and drinks rich in caffeine

As for the effect of caffeine on the digestive system, caffeine tends to increase the production of stomach acid in the stomach, which makes gastroesophageal reflux disease and stomach ulcers worse. And although decaffeinated coffee does not contain caffeine, it can also cause stomach problems, as other compounds in coffee, including methyl xanthines, also increase acid secretion in the digestive system.

Alcohol and cigarettes

You know that cigarettes are irritating and carcinogenic and that stopping them reduces the risk of certain cancers. But apart from the lungs, the digestive organs are also concerned. In other words, cigarettes have several deleterious effects on our stomach. It increases, for example, the risk of infection with Helicobacter pylori, and thus the risk of ulcers and stomach cancer. It also promotes Chrone's disease. As for alcohol, it is an irritant which weakens the digestive and oral mucous membranes, with which it is in direct contact. By acting on the valve located between the stomach and the esophagus, it causes gastric reflux. It can also cause heartburn and abdominal pain.

Meat, dairy products and nuts

Generally, foods high in fat and protein stimulate the secretion of gastrin (which stimulates the secretion of acid in the stomach) and are therefore more difficult to digest. And according to several studies conducted on the subject, meat consumption is specifically linked to cancers of the colon, prostate, breast, lymphatic system and stomach. The reason is twofold: Animal products, including dairy products, contain many substances that can directly increase the risk of cancer, such as carcinogenic heterocyclic fats and amines. That's why it's important to ban pork and spicy cheese from the menu, especially during lunchtime.

If, however, you are missing the meat, you can eat some chicken at noon, not later. Dairy products, on the other hand, can sometimes have a relieving effect on the stomach, due to the presence of probiotic bacteria. However, this remains very rare. Unripe fruits, raw stone fruits, walnuts, almonds, pistachios and avocados should also be omitted to avoid causing gastritis and gastric ulcer. You can, however, favor lean protein sources, such as:

• skinless poultry
• seafood and fish
• vegetable or skimmed milk
• legume
• lean meat or cheese
• tofu
• game

Eating habits to adopt or forget

Even if a special diet alone is often insufficient to resolve digestive problems, it can be combined with good eating habits: eating at a fixed time, avoiding physical activities after a meal, drinking water outside of meals., limit the consumption of fatty products.

Eat at a fixed time

And if what we eat has a direct impact on our health, the time we spend at the table is also to be considered. Eating early, or before 7 p.m., has been shown to be excellent for digestive health, according to a number of studies. In the event of gastritis, colitis or gastroesophageal reflux, it is necessary to leave at least 2 hours before going to bed in order to digest cleanly and lower the risk of digestive discomfort. Otherwise, sleep would block your ability to process food properly. Similarly, the number of small afternoon and evening snacks should be limited.

Drink outside of meals

It is obviously very important for people with digestive disorders to drink water often, for good hydration. But the ideal is to have the reflex to drink without meals and digestion. Indeed, it is valid for both adults and children. If you drink too much drink at the same time as you eat, the different nutrients mix together and become very difficult to digest because they cannot be properly processed by the enzymes in the stomach.

Beware of non-prescription drugs

Believe it or not, most non-prescription drugs can have a very harmful, even dangerous, effect on your health. The best-selling anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and ketoprofen, are not safe to take, experts say. It causes stomach bleeding, blood pressure problems, and kidney damage. Patients, who are being tested for H. pylori, should avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs for the screening to be likely to be valid.

Restful sleep and less stress

The health of the digestive system obviously depends on good nutrition, but also on good restful sleep. It therefore does not work well when subjected to stress, fatigue and daily aggressions. What is more, the lack of sleep and constant fatigue promote the secretion of cortisone, which in turn stimulates the production of gastric acid in the stomach and therefore the appearance of inflammation and digestive burns. But good sleep requires good body position …

Sleep on your left side

Since the stomach is on the left side of the body, its functioning is stimulated when sleeping on the left, because the body guarantees it a natural position, which shines allows to work during the night. In contrast, when sleeping on the right side, the organ is rotated so that gastric juices return to the esophagus, which can lead to acid reflux in the digestive system.