Acid reflux disease can cause heartburn, nausea, and many other symptoms, which can be alleviated to some extent by adopting a proper diet. Here is a brief overview about the acid reflux diet.
Acid reflux disease is a medical condition, wherein the contents of the stomach, including the digestive juices, flow back to the esophagus. While some people experience this condition occasionally, it is a persistent problem for some others. Such a condition is termed acid reflux disease, which is characterized by heartburn and nausea. This condition may lead to serious complications, if left untreated. Apart from the conventional treatment options, doctors recommend lifestyle changes, which include a change in the diet. The basic idea of such a diet is to avoid those foods that trigger the symptoms of this disease.
It has been observed that, certain food items trigger the symptoms of acid reflux disease. Hence, a proper acid reflux disease diet can be very much useful for those suffering from this condition. Such a diet may alleviate the symptoms and provide relief to the affected person. However, you have to find out the particular food items that trigger the symptoms in your case. While some foods are offending for almost 90% of the affected people, some others can be specific. In short, such problematic foods have to be eliminated from your diet.
Foods to Avoid
There are some food items that have been identified as harmful for those affected with acid reflux disease. They include citrus fruits, grapes, cranberry, tomatoes, raw onion, lemonade, caffeine, chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, carbonated drinks, spicy food, fatty foods, fast foods, fried foods, ice cream, cottage cheese, milk shakes, sour cream, macaroni, spaghetti, French fries, chicken nuggets, ground beef, dough nuts, butter cookies, brownies, fries, whole milk, and oils.
While some of these food items may not produce any symptom in some patients, others may experience heartburn after consuming the same. It is always advisable to avoid such foods, which stimulate production of excess acid in the stomach.
Foods to be Included
There are certain food items which are beneficial for those with acid reflux. Such foods have to be included in the diet, as they help to alleviate the symptoms of this disease. The list of beneficial foods include whole grains, apples, bananas, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, baked potato, green beans, peas, fish, egg whites, cereal, oatmeal, chicken breast (skinless), and London broil.
All these food items are considered safe and good for people with acid reflux disease. If you are not comfortable with any of these food items, it is better to avoid the same. There are many natural cures, like yogurt, kefir and ginger root, which can also be included in the diet, if you can tolerate them.
An ideal acid reflux diet includes those foods which provide proper nutrition, and at the same time, alleviate the symptoms and control the disease. It should consist of five to six small and light meals, instead of three heavy ones. Avoid late night snacks and tobacco. Don’t lie down immediately after meals. Adopt a suitable exercise program; and lose weight, if you are obese. All these measures, along with a proper diet and medication may prove effective for relieving the symptoms and control the disease.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.
