Diet For Acid Reflux: Using The Food Pyramid

Diet for acid reflux is a special form of diet that basically follows the food pyramid. A person can take the most foods in the basic food groups but must be aware of certain guidelines to eliminate those that are conducive to reflux.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

An acid reflux is one of the symptoms of GERD or "gastroesophageal reflux disease". GERD  includes among its symptoms the regurgitation of a bitter fluid back into the throat. This bitter fluid can cause a burning sensation in the chest and throat area. This condition is also known as heartburn. The pain lingers and it is really quite hard to experience.

If the person is suffering from heartburn, he needs a special diet for the acid reflux. Start preparing recipes that follows a diet for acid reflux. If possible, consult a specialist to know the good and bad foods for a person suffering from heartburn. There are certain foods that can only worsen the situation, while the right ones will discourage the occurrence of GERD.

Dairy Products

In as much as you can have all the foods in the food pyramid, a diet for acid reflux includes certain considerations. In dairy products, pick out the items that are low in fat or fat free. The milk items should be skim of low fat also. Avoid whole milk to stop the acid reflux symptom.

Fruits and Vegetables 

Most fruits can be eaten except citrus, grapes, pineapple and tomato. These items can only worsen the situation. Have apples, peaches, bananas and pears instead. Almost all vegetables are safe but you have to be careful in preparing them. In any case, vegetables are best when they are half cooked. Well done or over cooked vegetables can aggravate acid reflux.

Another reason why you have to cook the vegetable this way is that nutrients in vegetables can be easily destroyed by heat. Overcooking will eliminate the benefits from vegetables.

Meat and Bread

Meat products in a diet for acid reflux should include more of the white meat. Eliminate most if not all the fats and cholesterol from the meat when preparing them. It is best to stay away from all preserved meats since preserving them introduces ingredients that are bad for an acid reflux patient.

Bread and grains are also to be chosen carefully. They have to be low in fat. Cereal bran or oatmeal is good. Beverages should be picked out carefully. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine and mint. Sodas, tea and liquors can trigger acid reflux very easily. Fruit juices are good except those that came from citrus fruits. Have apple juice instead. Adhere to the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Very rich desserts such as chocolates and creams are to be avoided. Ice creams can do if they are low in fat. Chocolates are high fat desserts and they should be avoided at all times.

Change Your Habits

Along with the diet for an acid reflux, the person should also start changing some habits. Smoking should be totally eliminated. Nicotine in cigarettes is bad for the health. Aside from being stored in the lungs (which can later cause cancer), they also weaken the special functioning muscle in the lower part of the esophagus. This special muscle is responsible for keeping the acids in the stomach from going back to the throat. If this muscle malfunctions, acid reflux occurs. And using so many cigarettes is sure to cause malfunction of this muscle.

We should also avoid too much air from entering the stomach. A lot of our habits cause us to have this condition. Examples are chewing gums and eating hard candies. Lying down right after eating is another reason why air enters the stomach. When we have plenty of air in the stomach, the tendency is that we will regurgitate. The air that comes out can take with its bitter fluids that can be painful in the chest and throat area.

A diet for acid reflux should be observed properly to stop the painful experience. Be creative in preparing your meals using the guidelines we have given you here, and you will not only fix this condition but enjoy your meals and have a healthier body as well.