The best foods to eat in case of stomach pain are cooked vegetables, such as carrots or chayote, fruit juices, boiled or roasted fruit, soup or warm soups, because they are easier to digest. Foods that should be avoided are raw vegetables, milk or fatty derivatives or very fatty and processed foods, which are more difficult to digest.
In addition, lettuce, mastic or chamomile teas, for example, are great options because they have calming medicinal properties that help relieve stomach pain.
If stomach pain takes more than 2 days to pass, it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist to diagnose the cause of the pain, which can be gastritis, stomach ulcer, pancreatitis, anxiety or side effects of medications, for example, and must be treated properly. Learn about the causes of stomach pain.
What to eat
The foods allowed in the diet for gastritis and ulcers are easy to digest and low in fat, such as:
- Fruits in general, in some people acidic fruits can cause reflux or pain when consuming these foods, in which case they should be avoided. It is possible to consume 100% fruit and sugar-free jams; Vegetables in general, like cooked and skinless vegetables, during periods of crisis and pain, because they are easier to digest, such as zucchini, eggplant, carrots, spinach, chard and green beans; Low-fat meats, such as chicken, turkey and fish, preferably grilled, roasted or cooked; Skimmed milk and derivatives, such as yogurt; Carbohydrates, such as white rice, pasta, sweet potatoes and potatoes, because they are easier to digest and integrals should be avoided, especially in times of crisis; Teas like chamomile or ginger; Decaffeinated coffee; White cheeses such as ricotta or curd; Raw olive oil, in small quantities; Natural spices, such as fine herbs, garlic, onion, parsley, coriander, mustard.
During a stomach ache, the ideal is to prepare the food in order to obtain a purée of softer consistency. Meat can be shredded or minced, fruits and vegetables should be eaten cooked and without skin.
What not to eat
Foods that should not be consumed are those that are difficult to digest and highly processed, due to the presence of additives, which can irritate the stomach:
- Processed meats, such as sausage, chorizo, bacon, ham, turkey breast, salami, bologna; Yellow and processed cheeses, such as cheddar, mozzarella and cream cheese; Fatty dairy products, such as whole milk, yogurt, cream, butter, margarine and oil; Ready-made sauces, such as ketchup, mayonnaise; Condiments, such as spice cubes or instant noodles; Prepared foods, such as frozen and fast food ; Coffee or tea with a high caffeine content, such as green tea, mate or black tea; Ready soft drinks or juices; Alcoholic beverages; Sugar, sweets in general and foods that contain it; Refined and fried foods, such as cakes and cookies; White flour, such as corn and wheat; Foods high in fat, such as fatty meats, chicken skin, liver and fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna.
In addition, acidic fruits like lemon, orange and pineapple should also be avoided if symptoms of heartburn or stomach pain appear after consumption. Some people often suffer from intestinal gas and intolerance to foods such as kale, broccoli, beans and cauliflower, so in these cases, they should be avoided.
The gastritis diet, despite following some rules, can vary a lot depending on the tolerance of each patient. Therefore, the list above is just a guide.
In addition, if gastritis appears mainly in times of stress or tension, it can be a sign of nervous gastritis. See the symptoms and how to treat this type of disease.
Menu for stomach pain
A diet suggestion in case of stomach pain may be:
| Meals | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
| Breakfast | Watermelon juice + 2 slices of bread with light curd | 1 cup of decaffeinated coffee + 2 scrambled eggs with 1 slice of white cheese + 1 cup of diced papaya | 2 scrambled eggs with a slice of bread + 1 baked apple |
| Lunch dinner | 4 tablespoons of rice + 1 chicken breast + 1 cup of carrots and cooked green beans + 1 drizzle of olive oil | 1 piece of hake baked in the oven with potatoes, tomatoes, onions and a drizzle of olive oil | 1 turkey breast + 1/2 cup of mashed potato + 1/2 cup of cooked zucchini, onion, carrot and eggplant and a drizzle of olive oil |
| Snack | 1 plain yogurt + 1 teaspoon of honey + 1/2 banana | Papaya smoothie with skim milk + 1 packet of soy cookies | Decaffeinated coffee + 1 slice of bread with light curd + 1 boiled egg |
Although the pain in the stomach decreases appetite, it is important to eat small and frequent meals, for example, every 3 hours, as being too long without eating can cause the stomach to release acid when empty, making the pain worse. See other teas you can use to improve digestion.
