Acid Reflux Diet

If you’ve developed the unfortunate condition of having your stomach contents back up into your esophagus, inflaming it and triggering you to throw up (or feel such big discomfort), it’s important to know exactly what’s happening to you.

What you have

What you have is acid reflux, characterized by acids and digestive enzymes moving in the wrong direction. Acid reflux may arise from too much pressure on the stomach, or because of the loosening of the muscle band sphincter (between the stomach and esophagus). Now when the lower esophageal sphincter grows weak, the gastric juices end up seeping upwards into the esophagus, thereby causing a burning sensation and discomfort. Acid reflux is tolerable in mild circumstances. However, left untreated, repeated reflux can cause irritation or scarring of the esophageal lining. The end result: the affected individual finds it difficult to swallow, and heightens the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus.

Eating Right

There’s no reason to despair, though, because there are remedies for acid reflux, beginning with intake of the right foods. There are foods which are beneficial for a person with a mild, moderate, or severe case of acid reflux, and there are foods which must be eliminated from the afflicted person’s diet. While it may be encouraging for people suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD) to hear about an acid reflux diet, no two people are alike when it comes to how the body reacts to food. A person with acid reflux must consult a physician to know just which foods to take or avoid.

Balance

To be on the safe side, refrain from consuming too much alcohol, coffee, chili and chili powder, citrus fruits. Most healthcare experts recommend an alkaline diet consisting primarily of fruits (but not citrus fruits) and vegetables. Friends with GERD have noted how important it is to veer away also from eating foods with tomatoes (including pizzas & pastas), chocolates, raw onions, black pepper and fatty foods.

Track what you eat

What most people with GERD do is keep track of foodstuffs that make their heartburn flare up. Some of the acid reflux diet foods that will not trigger heartburn are apples and bananas, multi-grain bread, brown and white rice, bran based cereals, lean meat or chicken, fish, baked potato, cabbage, carrots. There are foods, like beans, that may cause some digestive discomfort in some people, though.

Stay Away From

To avoid the discomfort, avoid fatty meats, oils, sugar, sodas (including diet sodas), orange, and other foods that induce your acid reflux or heartburn.

Nutrition & Diet Plan for Acid Reflux