Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (298 page)

Cabbage juice. It has excellent gut-healing properties. Combine it with carrot juice to make it more palatable.

Raw garlic.

Soft, easily digested foods. Avocados, soft fruits, sweet potatoes, baked squash, soups, and smoothies are ideal.

Well-cooked whole grains. Millet is particularly beneficial to the stomach. Well-cooked quinoa and short-grain brown rice can also be soothing.

Water, which can quickly dilute the stomach acid that may be causing pain and irritation. Do not drink water with meals, but have a large glass 30 minutes before meals and an hour after.

Nut and seed butters and cold-pressed oils rather than nuts and seeds. The nut butters and oils are good ways of getting the anti-inflammatory essential fats without the danger of irritation.

AVOID

Alcohol, tea, coffee, salt, chocolate, spices, sugar, fatty foods, carbonated drinks, processed foods, dairy products, and red meat. High-protein foods such as red meat, dairy, and eggs need a lot of acid to be broken down and can increase irritation and pain. Also avoid very hot or very cold foods, as these can cause further irritation.

HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Slippery elm tea. Slippery elm can coat the lining of the digestive tract, thus protecting it from irritation. Arrowroot powder can also be used for the same effect.

Drink chamomile tea to soothe the digestive system. Stress is commonly implicated in ulcers, so calming teas can be beneficial. Other useful herbs include meadowsweet, skullcap, and marshmallow root.

Take bromelain with meals. Bromelain is found in the core of fresh pineapples. It can be taken as a supplement with meals to aid digestion and reduce inflammation.

Take mastic gum to clear H. pylori infection.

Take deglycyrrhized licorice. Licorice has a long history of healing the digestive tract.