What foods should people with gastric ulcers avoid?

Regarding gastric ulcers, peptic ulcers are common and can significantly impact patients’ daily lives. Today’s fast-paced lifestyle and high work-related stress often lead to inadequate rest and unhealthy dietary habits. Prolonged neglect of gastric health may result in damage to the stomach lining. So, what foods should individuals with gastric ulcers avoid?

Foods to Avoid for Patients with Gastric Ulcers

Gastric ulcer patients typically experience excessive gastric acid secretion. Consuming large amounts of acidic foods—which further stimulate gastric acid production—can overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract. Common acidic foods to avoid include oranges, hawthorn berries, vinegar, and pickled vegetables. Hot foods entering the stomach cause vasodilation and may trigger ulcer bleeding. Conversely, excessively cold foods can induce gastric muscle spasms and vasoconstriction, worsening pain and indigestion. Therefore, patients should avoid all cold beverages, chilled dishes, hot soups, and hot drinks.

Spices such as pepper, curry, and garlic directly irritate the ulcer surface, provoking pain and stimulating the gastric mucosa. They also increase gastric acidity, thereby exacerbating ulcer symptoms. Thus, gastric ulcer patients should strictly avoid these pungent and irritating foods. Additionally, patients should avoid gas-producing foods—including legumes, sweet potatoes, and taro—as they cause gastrointestinal distension and intensify ulcer-related pain. High-fat foods—such as ice cream, cookies, and cheeseburgers—promote gastric relaxation and increase gastroesophageal reflux. Fatty foods are calorie-dense, difficult to digest, and hinder nutrient absorption.

Patients should pay close attention to dietary control and avoid raw, cold, or spicy foods. We hope this information is helpful to you.