SAEDNEWS: Many people with stomach issues don’t pay much attention to when they eat. They often have meals—especially dinner—late at night and lie down immediately afterward.
According to Saed News, as reported by Soraya: Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures—provided all your body’s systems are working well and you don’t end up with pain, nausea, or burning sensations. If you love food but hesitate to take a bite because of stomach discomfort, this guide by Dr. Saeed Sanei, a herbal medicine consultant, is for you. He shares nutritional tips that can soothe your stomach like water on fire.
The stomach has 12 temperaments, but two are most important: cold and moist, and dry and hot. A cold and moist stomach may cause bloating, acid reflux, poor digestion, and other issues. Symptoms like gas, belching, intestinal cramps, and shortness of breath can indicate a cold-tempered stomach.
A dry and hot stomach is more prone to ulcers, heartburn, and other conditions, often accompanied by stabbing pain, black stools, or nighttime discomfort. It’s possible to have both types of problems simultaneously, but dietary adjustments can help manage them.
Timing is crucial. Breakfast should be eaten first thing in the morning, lunch at a consistent hour, and dinner early in the evening. Many people with stomach issues eat late or lie down immediately after meals. Instead, take a short walk after eating to aid digestion.
Those with stomach inflammation benefit from eating traditional sangak bread with carrot, quince, or pumpkin jam—but avoid the syrup; consume only the fruit pulp, preferably rinsed with warm water. People with sensitive stomachs should limit tea intake.
For other meals, fully cook chicken or lamb, separate the broth, and cook rice with the broth for lunch. Mashed potatoes with Persian angelica seeds and lean grilled lamb without added spices (except sumac) are also recommended.
Candied ginger can help heal ulcers and improve digestion. For homemade ginger jam with honey, slice ginger, soak it in water with a teaspoon of lime for two hours, rinse, repeat five times, and finally cook it with three times its weight in honey for 4–5 hours. Consume one teaspoon after meals.
Mix salt with thyme powder before eating to stimulate gastric juice production. Traditional medicine also recommends walking five minutes after a meal, then taking a teaspoon of licorice wax, followed by another short walk. Combining licorice root with dried plantain leaves and drinking with yarrow distillate is also beneficial.
Roast plantain seeds in a pan until fragrant, grind them, and mix with warm mint distillate. Drink one glass 14 days before meals. This remedy also helps chronic diarrhea. Cooked plantain leaves with low-fat sweet yogurt are excellent for ulcers and stomach heat.
Sweet, ripe apples are highly beneficial and should be eaten after meals. Quince, lightly roasted, and pomegranate are also helpful. Hawthorn is recommended for those with digestion problems.
Shirazi chamomile tea is effective for nerve-related stomach pain. Steep four teaspoons in a cup of water and drink on an empty stomach, followed by breakfast half an hour later.
For acid reflux, steep peppermint leaves or amber lily in water for 10 minutes and drink half a cup before lunch and dinner.
Fried foods
Fatty dishes (crispy rice, fried patties, etc.)
Red meat
Cream-filled sweets
Coffee, soda, tea, instant coffee
Chocolate
Herbal teas (except the recommended ones) and watery foods like soup or porridge can worsen stomach acidity. Stick to solid, well-cooked meals to prevent irritation.
