Diet For Acid Reflux
For example, say you are on holiday and are enjoying to yourself to your fullest. After returning from the holiday you are busy unpacking your bag and suddenly you feel a burning sensation and bitter taste in the mouth. This continues for a few days and then you start spending sleepless nights because as you sleep or lie down there is a pricking sensation in your lower chest. You go to the doctor and to your dismay the doctor tells you that you are suffering from acid reflux!
Wrong eating habits are the main cause of acid reflux. The discomfort of acid reflux occurs when the lining of the tube which connects the stomach and the throat gets damaged due to the oozing of digestive acid back from the stomach into the throat. This acid often leaves a bitter taste in our mouth and causes a burning sensation in the chest and throat. The reflux of stomach acid is triggerd by digestion problems in the stomach because of what we have eaten.
In order to prevent problems with digestion of the food we eat we have to change our diet. Dieting does not mean not eating anything that takes our fancy. But it means eating a balanced and a healthy diet. Many a times people are seen eating whatever they feel like. We often don't care if the food we eat is healthy or not. It is very important to eat healthily which will reduce many health related problems. Exercise can added as a complimentary effect with a good balanced diet.
We can reduce or control the causes of acid reflux by following the right diet and cutting down the unhealthy eating habits.
Eating healthily and staying fit: Include fresh vegetables and fruit in your diet. For example, eating cabbage, green peas, potatoes (mashed or baked - not fried), and carrots can lessen the chances of the reflux. Poultry products are healthy. Fat free dairy products, such as skimmed milk are lower in calories. Replace the white breads with wheat products like brown bread or home made rotis. Eating rice (brown/ white) is healthy.
Eating healthily is the secret of staying healthy! Following the diet which contains the above food items will help your digestion and help to reduce the acid reflux.
Ideal meals: The ideal meals should contain all the food items important for health.
Eat small meals. Cut down the big meals into small and nutritious snacks. They should be eaten frequently but in less quantity.
Do not over eat: Do not always eat everything which is there in your plate. Keep the stomach a little empty for easy digestion.
Drink a glass of warm water or a cup of herbal tea after the meals.
Do not lie down or sleep immediately after the meals.
Do not smoke or drink alcohol between the meals as it reduces the appetite.
Exercise to be fit. Go for a brisk walk or a gentle jog for at least an hour every day to improve the your digestion.
Cut out or reduce the following items from your diet: -
Consumption of coffee, tea and chocolates should be reduced as the caffeine content aggravates the stomach acid.
Consumption of food which is high in calories or oily or spicy should also be reduced.
Citrus fruits tend to increase the acid levels so they should be avoided.
All the above products can be harmful for the esophagus and damage its lining. So proper care should be taken while eating , especially by acid reflux patients.
Choosing a proper diet for acid reflux can make a difference and reduce your suffering - plan for it. Do it!
I hope this article provided you with the information and understanding you were looking for.
Brian Waybridge, the author of this article, suffered for many years with the pain of acid reflux before he found welcome relief.