Foods that help with indigestion

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, may cause upper-abdominal discomfort, early fullness, bloating, belching, nausea, or burning after eating. Heavy meals, fast eating, alcohol, caffeine, and very spicy or fatty foods can aggravate symptoms in some people. Food changes may ease discomfort but do not identify its cause.

Persistent indigestion can occur with acid reflux, gastritis, gallstones, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer, or Helicobacter pylori infection, so recurring symptoms deserve attention.

Choose porridge, toast, rice, potatoes, bananas, cooked vegetables, broth-based soup, yoghurt if tolerated, and lean chicken, fish, beans, or tofu. Eat slowly and stop before feeling overfull. Keep a record of portions, timing, and symptoms. Reduce foods that you repeatedly link with discomfort rather than cutting out broad food groups. Avoid lying down straight after meals and limit alcohol if it worsens symptoms.

Get urgent help for severe or sudden abdominal pain, chest pressure, breathing difficulty, faintness, vomiting blood, or black stools. Arrange a medical review for repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, anaemia symptoms, unintentional weight loss, or indigestion that persists or changes. A clinician may consider testing or acid reflux medication based on your symptoms.

Ask what pattern your symptoms suggest, whether medicines or Helicobacter pylori could be involved, and which food changes are worth trying. Bring your symptom and meal record.