Gastroesophageal reflux disease, more commonly referred to as acid reflux, is a medical condition in which the stomach’s liquid acid rises back up to the esophagus, causing the lining of the esophagus become eroded. Although doctors may recommend drug treatments to minimize the effects of this chronic condition, it is best to conduct lifestyle modifications to prevent a patient’s GERD from worsening.
The gist.
It is a common-yet logical-misconception that people with GERD should avoid eating certain foods that would promote acidity to the body such as coffee and spicy dishes. However, research has shown otherwise, and it is now high time for patients to adopt a diet that can be used either on its own or with the help of other medications.
In a book by Jill Sklar and Annabel Cohen, “Eating for Acid Reflux,” the secret lies in managing one’s eating conditions. The Acid Reflux Diet is all about consuming small meals throughout the day. Whenever large amounts of food are consumed, the stomach would have to work doubly hard to produce stomach acids for digestion. Meanwhile, eating small amounts at a time prevents the stomach from getting overloaded with food while only small quantities of acid are released for food digestion.
The diet also advises patients to avoid certain foods such as high-fat meals, particularly from fast-food restaurants, as well a alcohol and soda. Dieters are also advised to remain in a standing position for at least 45 minutes after each meal and have your last meal of the day three hours before going to bed.
Advantages.
The Acid Reflux Diet is very easy to follow, as it only provided a few tips to remember.
Disadvantages.
Although it does not assure the dieter to lose weight instantly, he or she may realize the full benefit of this diet can be felt in a different manner. For one, they would have lesser occurrences with heart burn, which if untreated may actually cause severe effects on the body.
Acid Reflux Diet Myth.
Myth 1: Drink milk.
A lot of people try drinking milk to ease acid reflux before sleep. But often, milk ends up causing acid reflux during sleep. To understand the whole situation, we have to realize that the problem roots from eating too much at dinner time. Eating a big meal at dinner causes excess stomach acid production. Drinking milk could be a quick fix to the acid reflux problem. Unfortunately, milk has a rebound action and would eventually encourage secretion of more stomach acid, which causes the acid reflux. To solve the problem, try adjusting your diet by eating a small meal at dinner and have a small snack such as crackers before sleep.
Myth 2: Avoid coffee, citrus fruits and Spicy food.
We have been told for years that coffee, acidic fruit as well as spicy foods can aggravate acid reflux. Therefore, we should avoid these in our daily diet in order to reduce acid reflux. A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in May 2006 showed that none of these myths hold true. Researchers from the Stanford University found that the only two behavioral changes can reduce symptoms of acid reflux – eating less and elevate your head while sleeping.
Acid Reflux Diet.
First of all, try to eat small, frequent meals instead of three big meals a day. Small amounts of food each time would exert less workload on the stomach and therefore requires less acid secretion for digestion. Make sure to include foods that are high in complex carbohydrates in each meal. These foods, such as rice, breads and pasta, are able to tie up excess stomach acid and are often easy on the stomach.
Avoid high-fat meals such as those from the fast food chains. High fat foods will remain in the stomach longer, thus causing the need for more stomach acid in order to digest them.
But remember, don’t overeat! Eating too much of any foods will stimulate the stomach to secret more acids for digestion.
Avoid or limit alcohol.
Maintain upright position during and at least 45 minutes after eating.
Try elevating the head of bed six to eight inches when lying down.
Don’t think that beverages just quickly flow through your stomach without affecting acid production. Surprisingly, a lot of beverages stimulate acid secretion such as beer, wine and pop.
The worst of all is beer. It could double your stomach acid within an hour.
See Also
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