Food recipes for ulcer patients

Some people think that it is impossible to enjoy Nigerian meals when they have been diagnosed with ulcer.
Ulcer is never a death threat, and there are several meals out there that will help you alleviate the wounds and avoid worsening the sore.

Nigerian foods like okra, egg and honey are meals that do not irritate the lining of your small intestines, instead they help fight the causative agent and bring calmness to the inflammation.
If you’ve been thinking about food recipes you can try out even with ulcer, then keep reading.

What is ulcer?

Ulcers are open wounds or sores that occur in the lining of the stomach. Some people suffer from ulcers without any symptoms in the first place.

However, some of the known symptoms of ulcer include: abdominal pain, bloating, breathing difficulty, heart pain, nausea and vomiting.

When an individual shows no symptoms of ulcer, it can cause a life-threatening haemorrhage. When you notice any of the symptoms listed above, it is wise to seek medical attention immediately.

What are the possible causes of ulcer?

Causes of ulcer

Most people think spicy foods are the number one reason why a person contracts ulcer. Usually, they are caused by one of these two things:

• Helicobacter pylori

• NSAIDS

Helicobacter pylori

H.pylori is a bacterium that resides inside the lining of the small intestine. H. pylori causes ulcer by creating an inflammation in the lining of the small intestine, leading to a sore.

NSAIDS

NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are medications such as Aspirin, that are used to relieve pain. Other medications like Ibuprofen also cause ulcers.

Food recipes for ulcer patients

Everyone needs to eat right. As an ulcer patient, you are not excluded. Usually there are restrictions to the kind of meals you take in, but there are other food recipes you can try that will suit your doctor’s recommendations.
They include:

Vegetables

Vegetables are anti-inflammatory. They are the kings at the meal table. They are the group of foods that fit into the meal plan of anybody.
To add, they are great sources of Vitamin A, B, C, E and K. They are also great sources of some minerals like potassium, magnesium, etc. All these are known to soothe stomach pain.
Examples of vegetables include Garden egg and Okra.
You can add vegetables to your soups and stews, but remember to use less spice.

Unripe plantain

The nutritional value of unripe plantain is massive, this is why it stands out as a very important addition to any healthy living diet plan.

It is rich in so many vitamins like Vitamin E, and B2. It is also rich in minerals like pectin, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, serotonin and starch.

Most importantly, unripe plantain is beneficial for those who are suffering from ulcer and other diseases connected with gastrointestinal tract.

How can it be eaten?

Unripe plantain can be eaten as flour, with any kind of soup. It can also be eaten as porridge, or boiled to be eaten with stew.

Millet and corn pudding

It is popularly made in the form of pap or ogi, millet and corn pudding are very soothing foods for ulcer patients.

Pap is often eaten to protect and heal digestive systems, stimulate appetite and to ease the symptoms of stomach ulcers.

Pap preparation is quick, making it a fast food for ulcer patients. It is also easily digestible because of its soft texture.

Want to get the best taste of pap? Serve with milk.

Wheat

A meal plan can never go wrong with wheat.
A study revealed that the addition of wheat in the diet may bring decline in the incidence of peptic ulcer. Ulcer patients can benefit a whole lot from including wheat and its products in their diet.

Moi moi

Moi Moi is a Nigerian steamed bean pudding made from a mixture of washed and peeled black-eyed beans, onions and fresh ground red peppers.

It is great for ulcer patients because, unlike beans, which results in acid reflux or heart burns when consumed, moi moi is a healthy variety of beans.

It takes less time to digest and is easy on the stomach. When making moi moi for an ulcer patient, avoid making it too spicy.

Conclusion

Nigerian foods like moi moi, wheat, vegetables, millet and corn pudding, and unripe plantain are examples of food recipes for an ulcer patient.