Meals for Heartburn Sufferers
Posted: Aug 15 in Diet & Reflux by Staff
People who have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) experience heartburn when stomach acids flows from the stomach into the esophagus. Acid reflux sufferers may also have a sore throat, dry cough, hoarseness, and a feeling like they have something stuck in their throat. Altering your meals may help reduce or eliminate your heartburn-related Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) symptoms.
Breakfast – Limiting fat in your diet can help alleviate acid reflux. Foods that are high in fat impact the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which can make refluxing of acids more likely. What’s more, fatty foods take more time to digest, increasing the opportunity for acid reflux.
Instead of eating fatty foods for breakfast, choose whole grain cereal with skim milk, along with some fruit for vitamins and minerals. GERD patients living in Albany should steer away from citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruit because they can aggravate acid reflux. Caffeine in coffee or tea can also increase heartburn in some people.
Lunch – A good choice for lunch includes a sandwich on whole wheat with lean meat, lettuce, and mustard. Include an apple for a complete meal. Beef barley or chicken noodle soup, along with some grapes and whole grain crackers are also good choices for those who have acid reflux disease. Lastly, a grilled salmon salad with low-fat dressing and a whole-grain roll is another wonderful option. Skip the carbonated beverages though, as they can exasperate symptoms.
Dinner – Certain cuts of meat and dairy products are a source of fat. GERD sufferers should choose low-fat or nonfat dairy products and lean meats to minimize their symptoms. Although pasta is not a problem for acid-reflux patients, tomato sauce is. It’s also important to not eat dinner too close to bed because that can contribute to nighttime heartburn. Allow at least two hours, if not three, after eating dinner to lie down.
Whether you are sitting down to breakfast, lunch, dinner or you are just having a snack, make sure to keep your meal sizes small. Large amounts of food in the stomach increases gastric pressure and the probability of developing heartburn.