Top Foods to Fight Indigestion

Posted: Jan 17 in Diet & Reflux by Staff

When it comes to heartburn and indigestion in Albany and Macon, it seems like we hear a great deal about how this food causes these symptoms, and how that meal will make your heartburn worse. Well, it may be surprising to learn that there are actually foods that can help fight acid reflux. By eating a well-balanced diet that is rich in foods that help keep your stomach acid at bay you can naturally reduce the amount of heartburn you are experiencing regularly.
As a general rule, low-fat and low-acidic foods will reduce your likelihood of experiencing acid reflux after eating, but they won’t entirely eliminate your problem. In addition, you will need to limit the amount of food you eat, as overeating even healthy foods can lead to acid reflux by putting pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. Furthermore, those who have already developed gastroesophageal reflux disease are not going to find relief from their condition by eating different foods, as the lower esophageal sphincter has already sustained damage and needs to be repaired.
That being said, adjusting your diet to incorporate a few more of these healthy options may be great for your heartburn and indigestion:

• Oatmeal: This is a great warm breakfast that you can enjoy at any time of day as a light snack. Oats are naturally soothing, and the consistency of the oatmeal makes it unlikely to spark acid reflux.
• Aloe Vera: Known to soothe burns, aloe is also great for soothing your esophagus and calming heartburn and indigestion. You can incorporate aloe vera extract into many of your existing recipes.
• Ginger: This root actually has medicinal properties and was used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory agent. Try incorporating ginger into your recipes for a bit of a heartburn relief.
• Fennel: This common spice is also beneficial in its natural form. You can slice fennel and add it to a salad or use the spice when making protein-based dishes. Fennel has a licorice-like flavor, but is well known for its anti-reflux benefits.
• Poultry: If you are going to have a protein with dinner, go with white meat. Chicken and turkey are premier options for adding a healthy source of protein to your meal that won’t aggravate your reflux like fatty beef. For the best health benefits have it baked, broiled or steamed.

Remember that everyone reacts to certain foods differently, so while these foods are helpful for many people they may not be ideal for you. Before you make any changes to your diet consult your GERD specialist.