Stomach Ulcer Diet in Nigeria and West Africa: Pap, Yam, Okra and What to Skip
Ulcers are very common across West Africa, where H. pylori infection rates are among the highest in the world and painkillers are easy to buy without a prescription. The good news is that you do not need imported "special foods" to eat well while you heal. Many local staples work well with a few adjustments.
Staples that are usually gentle
- Pap (ogi, akamu, koko): smooth and easy to digest; avoid adding too much sugar
- Boiled or roasted yam, cocoyam and sweet potato
- Boiled or roasted plantain, ripe or unripe
- Rice, plain or cooked with mild stews
- Beans and moi moi, if they do not cause you gas
- Okra soup and vegetable soups made with less pepper and less oil
- Fish and chicken, boiled, grilled or in pepper-light stews
- Eggs, boiled or lightly cooked
- Pawpaw, banana, watermelon and avocado
Foods to cut back while you heal
- Very peppery soups and stews. Pepper does not cause ulcers, but it often aggravates pain. Cook with less and add a little to your own plate if you tolerate it.
- Heavy palm oil and deep-fried foods such as puff-puff, akara fried in old oil and fried snacks
- Alcohol, including palm wine and beer
- Kola nut, coffee and strong tea
- Fizzy drinks
A sample gentle day
- Breakfast: pap with milk or groundnut paste, plus a banana
- Lunch: boiled yam with egg sauce made with little pepper
- Snack: pawpaw or roasted plantain
- Dinner: rice with mild fish stew and steamed vegetables, eaten at least two to three hours before bed
Beware of self-medication
Many people in the region treat stomach pain with repeated painkillers or with antibiotic mixtures bought without a test. Painkillers can make ulcers worse, and incomplete antibiotic courses help H. pylori become resistant. A simple H. pylori test before treatment, and a retest afterwards, saves money and suffering.
Key takeaway
You can heal on familiar food. Keep the pepper and oil low, eat regularly, avoid alcohol and painkillers, and get the cause properly tested and treated.
