Mens & Womens Health

We unfortunately live in a world of diseases and persistent maladies, some more harsh than others. The prospect of facing medical disorders can be disheartening, especially when they impact something we all love to do – eat.

If you suffer from acid reflux, knowing what acid reflux food to avoid and how best to manage your symptoms are critical to living a better life.

To learn more about the condition, along with how to better your diet and lifestyle, keep reading.

About Acid Reflux

Acid reflux, also known as gastro-esophageal reflux, is a common condition that affects many people. It is the most frequent cause of indigestion and can also trigger heartburn. The condition flares up when the sphincter becomes abnormally relaxed, allowing the acidic contents of the stomach to flow back or “reflux” into the throat.

Acid reflux has numerous symptoms. The most common is a burning feeling in the chest, a bad taste, breathing problems, a hoarse or sore throat or larynx and sometimes belching. Though acid reflux can be treated through surgery, it’s most often addressed with antacids, diet change or H2 blockers.

However, you can often prevent instances or flare-ups of acid reflux by knowing the types of food to avoid. To learn the categories of food you should cut out of your diet and other lifestyle modifications you can make to improve your acid reflux condition, take a look at the particulars.

Food that Tends to Generate Acid Reflux

With acid reflux, not everyone’s trigger foods are the same. However, most people experience flare ups after drinking coffee, eating fried foods, processed foods or spicy meals.

Also, avoid fruits like oranges, lemons, pineapple and apricots, and stay away from acidic foods like tomato and chilies. In addition, obesity is often a contributing factor – if this is the case, then weight loss may help your condition.

When you cut out your trigger foods, replace them with those that are good for acid reflux. For example, foods that are high in fiber can help your body absorb excess acids. Also, whole grains and non-acidic fruits and vegetables can do wonders for reducing acid levels. Your best defense though? Drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

Herbal teas containing ginger, chamomile, catnip, and licorice root, as well as green tea can assist in the repair of the stomach lining. Do not drink mint tea as it may worsen your symptoms. You also want to eat food that’s nourishing to the stomach and spleen like sweet rice, beef, honey, corn, celery, spinach, lettuce, and potatoes.

Changing Your Habits With Acid Reflux

Try sleeping with your head in an elevated position. Also, focus on stress reducing activities like yoga or meditative breathing. This is important because cortisol, a stress hormone, affects the acid level of the stomach as well as the muscle tone of the stomach – therefore contributing to acid reflux.

The best way to control your acid reflux symptoms is to know what acid reflux food to avoid. By identifying and limiting those trigger foods, you’ll be able to effectively control your symptoms and reduce the suffering.