Is Milk Actually Good for Gastritis

… Continued …

Furthermore, it’s not only about controlling stomach acid. Improving the overall health of your digestive system matters, too! So it’s worth a try to continue with a healthy-balanced diet, even though when the inflammation has healed.

Also, having strong body immune system is so helpful to heal the inflammation more quickly and fight against H. Pylori infection (a bacterial infection that can increase the risk of gastritis and stomach ulcers). And your diet is a good way to boost your immune system.

Lactose intolerance and gastritis

Lactose, a kind of sugar found in milk and dairy products, is another thing to worry. It’s hard to digest, making gas and abdominal bloating more likely. The challenge mounts if you have lactose intolerance, a condition in which the digestive system cannot fully digest lactose.

There is no cure for lactose intolerance. So the best way to cope with is to avoid or cut down on your dietary lactose. Here are a few strategies:

1. You may not need to completely skip lactose, but you have to be more careful with it. For instance, if you want to add milk or dairy products in your regular meals, add them only in small servings.
2. Avoid consuming large amounts of lactose at once! A significant increase in lactose makes the flare up more likely.
3. If you do love ice-cream or other dairy products, choose ones with lactose-reduced /lactose-free label!

Also, diet low in milk and dairy products doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your dietary calcium and vitamin D. Besides milk substitutes mentioned earlier, get more vitamin D from eggs, salmon, and even spending time outdoor (sunlight exposure) will help a lot.

High-calcium food alternatives include spinach, broccoli, calcium-fortified breads, pinto beans, and oranges. If necessary, ask your doctor whether it’s OK to take supplements! Even many adults without lactose intolerance also have various deficiencies of vitamin D and calcium.