Eating for Stomach Pain: These Foods Calm the Stomach

Eating right can be good for stomach pain. In this article you will find out which foods you should prefer and what else you need to consider.

This is what you should eat when you have a stomach ache

If you have a stomach ache, you should stick to a bland diet. This is light, contains well-tolerated foods and is intended to help calm your digestive system.

• Turmeric: The root has an anti-inflammatory effect. Prepare a tea or use turmeric as a spice for your dishes. Golden milk also contains turmeric and will do your stomach good.
• Papaya: The fruit contains the enzyme papain. It helps the stomach break down proteins and keeps digestion going.
• Dairy products: Eat the low-fat varieties and mild cheeses. Choose lactose-free products if you suspect an intolerance.
• Ginger: The super bulb contains gingerol. This substance has an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. This helps especially with nausea. Prepare tea or refine your meals with fresh ginger.
• Vegetables: Fennel, carrots, peas, kohlrabi and pumpkin are easy on your stomach. Important: Cook the vegetables so that your stomach can digest them even more easily.
• Kombucha: The fermented drink is made from the kombucha fungus. It contains probiotic bacteria that regulate stomach acid. Enjoy the tea in moderate amounts.
• Grain products: Rusks, semolina, potatoes and soft bread are easy to digest and therefore good for stomach pain.
• Oatmeal: It’s packed with fiber that gets your digestion going. Eat the flakes as a porridge with berries to do something good for your stomach.
• Meat and fish: Prefer low-fat versions without preservatives if possible. Do not fry the pieces too much and use little fat.
• Sauerkraut: The secret of fermented cabbage is lactic acid bacteria. They have a positive effect on your intestinal bacteria and promote digestion.

More tips on meal size, preparation and frequency

Not only what you eat is important, but also how big your portions are and how often you eat meals.

• Eat small meals so you don’t overwhelm your stomach. Eat several meals throughout the day.
• About half of the meals should be carbohydrates. Fat should not make up more than 30%, the rest is easily digestible protein.
• Avoid too hot and too spicy food to protect your stomach. Be careful with salt too.
• Make sure you eat your food slowly and chew it well. This will give you additional support for your digestion.
• In general, everyone has different needs. Try different foods and strategies to find what works best for you.

Bland diet helps with these diseases

Stomach pain can have many causes. Light diet will help you in the following cases:

• Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, stomach or duodenum.
• Inflammation of the gastric mucosa or pancreas.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Food intolerance, for example to gluten or lactose.
• Chronic diseases of the intestine such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.