Hard Time with Heartburn? Here Are Neat Food Replacements
Heartburn is that feeling when your chest suddenly feels tight with a burning sensation. It’s like a heart attack, but it’s not, due in part to it being a symptom of acid reflux when your stomach overreacts to foods that trigger overproduction of digestive acid.
If you’re struggling with heartburn, don’t get baking soda for acid reflux just yet! You can treat it by simply replacing these everyday foods you eat with neat replacements!
Avoid Alcohol
When the body digests food, the process creates an acidic environment. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which keeps acid from traveling up into the esophagus, must be more relaxed to allow food through. Other than a full stomach, nothing will relax the LES more than alcohol.
Avoid alcohol altogether if you are experiencing heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux to keep your symptoms under control. Citrus-based and carbonated mixers, with their high acid content, will not improve your digestive experience either.
Stick with drinks that are alcohol with the lowest possible proof (the percentage of alcohol), like shots of whiskey or vodka, and even better, just stick with water!
Avoid Coffee and Minted Tea
Although many researchers believe that caffeine causes heartburn for some people, tea does not have the same effect. Just be careful to avoid certain herbal teas—peppermint and spearmint have been shown to trigger heartburn. Black tea, which has no caffeine, also significantly lowers GERD symptoms and removes your need for baking soda for acid reflux.
Avoid Tomato-Based Ingredients
Tomatoes can cause heartburn, especially in tomato sauce, because they are highly acidic by nature. Try dressing pasta with pesto or olive oil mixed with parsley and oregano instead. And even if you must avoid tomato sauce entirely, adding a bit of baking soda for acid reflux or grated carrots can help neutralize some acid stomach and heartburn symptoms.
Avoid Dairy
If you experience symptoms of lactose allergy, the problem is due to the high-fat content of whole-milk products like milk and sour cream. Switching to low-fat versions of milk and yogurt will reduce your symptoms. Use low-fat yogurt instead of milk or cream in recipes containing many dairies.
Avoid Garlic and Onions
Because parsley, dill, and basil retain their flavor even when dried, they can be used to season too spicy or acidic foods for sensitive stomachs. Try the dried versions of your favorite spicy foods instead, if the herbs aren’t enough.
Avoid Fried Foods
High-fat, fried foods can slow the stomach emptying, causing the food to sit and potentially reflux or back up into the esophagus. Opt instead for baked, grilled, poached, or roasted versions of your favorite fried options. The vegetables can still be fried, but make sure they are drained of fat and kept moist by brushing them with olive oil and sprinkling with apple cider vinegar.
Fry in small batches and throw out any food that sits for more than five minutes at room temperature. Season food lightly on both sides with salt and pepper, as well as herbs that are known to help relieve heartburn, like parsley and cilantro.
Avoid Citrus Fruits
There are plenty of nutritious fruits that don’t taste like citrus fruits. Try snacking on berries, melons, apples, pears, bananas, and stone fruits instead. If you want orange juice, try apple juice instead. You can also make your veggie-based juice at home.
Avoid Spicy Foods
Red-hot salsa and five-alarm chili are delicious, but spicy foods can be a big problem if you have acid reflux. Herbs like basil, cilantro, oregano, rosemary, ginger, and thyme can replace cayenne, curry, cinnamon, and nutmeg in cooking because they will not exacerbate symptoms.
In Conclusion
These replacement tips will lessen your heartburn episodes or the need for remedies when you feel the acid start shooting up your throat. Regarding health, prevention is always better than cure, so avoid the foods mentioned above for more delightful meals and less rumbly tumblies!
For more information on heartburn tips such as baking soda for acid reflux and replacement diets, visit Reflux Away right now! We are your heartburn resource where you can learn more about what it is, how it affects your mind and body, and how you can treat it with our detailed guides and articles.