Acid Reflux Disease Diet
Acid reflux is a disease that causes stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus (that is, the food pipe of our body). Consequently, the acid in the esophagus causes inflammation and irritation in the food pipe. The common symptoms of acid reflux are heartburn, chest pain, a sour taste in the mouth, difficulty in swallowing, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, and nausea.
The common cause of acid reflux is the malfunction of a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES is a muscle that regulates the flow of food and liquid to the stomach. Abnormal behavior of this muscle results in the stomach acid flowing back to the esophagus. There are several factors that can increase the risk of acid reflux. Eating disorders, irregular eating habits, or consuming very large meals can sometimes lead to acid reflux. Certain foods, especially fatty and spicy foods, can also increase the chances of acid reflux. Alcohol abuse and smoking are some other known risk factors for acid reflux.
Diet and lifestyle plays a very important role in treating acid reflux. Here are some dietary tips that can help you deal with acid reflux:
• Avoid foods that contain too much of fat or spices; the heavier your diet, the more is the acid secretion in the stomach. You should also avoid carbonated or caffeinated beverages. Alcoholic drinks should be avoided as well.
• Eat a diet consisting of fresh fruits and leafy vegetables. Vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, beans, peas, and carrots are good as an acid reflux diet. Baked potatoes are also known to be a good dietary remedy for acid reflux. However, in fruits, the acidic ones (like oranges, lemons, pineapples, and grapefruits) are better avoided as they can increase the chances of acid reflux.
• Eat protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, eggs, and low-fat or skimmed dairy products.
• Include whole grains, white and brown rice, oatmeal, and cornflakes in your diet.
Besides the dietary changes, you should also make some adjustments in your lifestyle to prevent acid reflux.
• Eat smaller meals: This will keep from putting undue pressure on the LES muscle.
• Avoid food or drink that triggers heartburn: Fatty foods, fried foods, garlic, onion, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, chocolate, and peppermint are some of the known triggers – keep track of foods that affect you, and avoid them as far as possible.
• Don’t go to sleep immediately after a meal: Lying down immediately after a meal can cause acid reflux. Keep some gap (2-3 hours) between the time you eat your meals and the time you go to sleep.
• Control your body weight: Obesity increases the risk of acid reflux significantly; so, you’ll need to keep your body weight in check.
