- Foods allowed in the treatment of H. pylori
- 1. Probiotics
- 2. Omega-3 and omega-6
- 3. Fruits and vegetables
- 4. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage
- 5. White meat and fish
- How to Relieve Unpleasant Treatment Symptoms
- 1. Metallic taste in the mouth
- 2. Nausea and stomach pain
- 3. Diarrhea
- What not to eat during treatment for H. pylori
- H. pylori treatment menu
In the diet during the treatment for H. pylori, one should avoid consuming foods that stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, such as coffee, black tea and cola drinks, in addition to avoiding foods that irritate the stomach, such as pepper and processed and fatty meats, like bacon and sausage.
H pylori is a bacterium that lodges in the stomach and normally causes gastritis, but in some cases, this infection can also lead to other problems such as ulcers, stomach cancer, vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, diabetes and liver fat and so when it is discovered, it is necessary to carry out the treatment indicated by the doctor until the end.
Foods allowed in the treatment of H. pylori
Foods that help with treatment are:
1. Probiotics
Probiotics are present in foods such as yogurt and kefir, in addition to being able to be consumed in the form of supplements in capsules or in powder. Probiotics are formed by good bacteria that inhabit the intestine and stimulate the production of substances that fight this bacterium and reduce the side effects that appear during the treatment of the disease, such as diarrhea, constipation and poor digestion.
2. Omega-3 and omega-6
The consumption of omega-3 and omega-6 helps to reduce stomach inflammation and prevent the growth of H. pylori , helping to treat the disease. These good fats can be found in foods like fish oil, olive oil, carrot seeds and grapefruit seed oil.
3. Fruits and vegetables
Non-acidic fruits and cooked vegetables should be consumed during the treatment of H. pylori, as they are easy to digest and help to improve intestinal functioning. But certain fruits like raspberry, strawberry, blackberry and blueberry help to fight the growth and also the development of this bacterium and therefore they can be consumed moderately.
4. Broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage
These 3 vegetables, especially broccoli, have substances called isothiocyanates, which help prevent cancer and fight H. pylori, reducing the proliferation of this bacterium in the intestine. In addition, these vegetables are easy to digest and help to reduce gastric discomfort caused during treatment. Thus, to obtain these effects, it is recommended to consume 70 g of broccoli per day.
5. White meat and fish
White meats and fish contain a lower concentration of fat, which facilitates digestion in the stomach and prevents food from taking too long to be digested, which can cause pain and a feeling of being stuffed during treatment. The best way to consume these meats is cooked in water and salt and with a bay leaf, to give more flavor, without causing acidity in the stomach. The grilled options can be made with olive oil or 1 tablespoon of water, it is also possible to eat these meats roasted in the oven, but never in oil, nor should you eat chicken or fried fish.
How to Relieve Unpleasant Treatment Symptoms
The treatment to fight H. pylori usually lasts 7 days and is done with the use of proton pump inhibiting drugs, such as Omeprazole and Pantoprazole, and antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin. These drugs are taken twice a day, and in general side effects such as:
1. Metallic taste in the mouth
It appears early in the treatment and can get worse over the days. To help relieve, you can season the salad with vinegar and, when brushing your teeth, sprinkle with baking soda and salt. This will help to neutralize the acids in the mouth and produce more saliva, helping to eliminate the metallic taste.
2. Nausea and stomach pain
Sickness and pain in the stomach usually arise from the second day of treatment, and to avoid them it is important to drink plenty of water, rest and consume easily digestible foods such as yogurt, white cheeses and cream crackers.
To relieve morning sickness, you should drink ginger tea upon waking up, eat 1 slice of plain toasted bread or 3 crackers, in addition to avoid drinking large volumes of liquids at once. See how to prepare ginger tea here.
3. Diarrhea
Diarrhea usually appears from the third day of treatment, as antibiotics, in addition to eliminating H. pylori , also end up damaging the intestinal flora, causing diarrhea.
To combat diarrhea and replenish the intestinal flora, you should take 1 natural yogurt a day and consume easily digestible foods, such as soups, purees, white rice, fish and white meats. See more tips on how to stop diarrhea.
What not to eat during treatment for H. pylori
During drug treatment it is important to avoid the consumption of foods that irritate the stomach or that stimulate the secretion of gastric juice, in addition to foods that worsen side symptoms such as stuffy, poor digestion. Thus, it is important to avoid in the diet:
- Coffee, chocolate and black tea, as they contain caffeine, a substance that stimulates the movement of the stomach and secretion of gastric juice, causing more irritation; Soft drinks and carbonated drinks, as they stretch the stomach and can cause pain and reflux; Alcoholic beverages, for increasing inflammation in the stomach; Acidic fruits like lemon, orange and pineapple, as they can cause pain and burning; Pepper and spicy foods, such as garlic, mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic sauce and diced spices; Fatty meats, fried foods and yellow cheeses, as they are rich in fat, which makes digestion difficult and increases the time that food stays in the stomach; Processed meats and canned foods, as they are rich in preservatives and chemical additives that irritate the stomach and intestines, increasing inflammation.
Thus, it is recommended to increase the consumption of water, white cheeses and fresh fruits, helping to reduce inflammation in the stomach and regulate intestinal transit. See how the treatment for gastritis is done.
H. pylori treatment menu
The following table shows an example of a 3-day menu to be used during treatment:
| Meal | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Breakfast | 1 glass of plain yogurt + 1 slice of bread with white cheese and egg | Strawberry smoothie with skim milk and oats | 1 glass of milk + 1 scrambled egg with white cheese |
| Morning snack | 2 slices of papaya + 1 teaspoon of chia | 1 banana + 7 cashew nuts | 1 glass of green juice + 3 water and salt crackers |
| Lunch dinner | 4 col of rice soup + 2 col of beans + chicken in tomato sauce + coleslaw | mashed potatoes + 1/2 salmon fillet + salad with steamed broccoli | vegetable soup with cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, zucchini and chicken |
| Afternoon snack | 1 glass of skim milk + cereal | 1 cup of plain yogurt + bread and red fruit jam | chicken sandwich with ricotta cream |
After treatment, it is important to remember to thoroughly sanitize fruits and vegetables before eating, as H. pylori may be present in raw vegetables and re-infect the stomach. Find out how to get H. pylori .
Watch the video below and see more tips on gastritis diet:
