Gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux disease, is a very common affliction, in fact it affects up to 1 in 5 men and women in the United States right now. Acid reflux is what occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, creating a burning sensation that can be felt throughout the chest (hence its other name “heartburn.”) Many people who suffer from acid reflux will ask themselves or others how to relieve heartburn symptoms or seek natural remedies for acid reflux. One solution is to follow an acid reflux diet plan, which includes foods that can naturally neutralize the acid in your stomach and reduce heartburn symptoms. The best way to create acid reflux diet recipes is to know what foods help with GERD and this article will look at some of the foods you should include and why.
- Oatmeal: One food that should be included in an acid reflux diet plan is oatmeal. Oatmeal is good at reducing acid reflux symptoms because it’s made of a high-fiber material. Oatmeal is a good food to eat because it can settle your stomach and make it less likely that stomach acid will come back along your esophagus.
- Green Vegetables: Another group of foods that should be included in an acid reflux diet plan are lots of green vegetables. As the name implies, these includes vegetables that are naturally green in color. This can include green peas, green beans, asparagus, kale, spinach, and brussel sprouts. These are all vegetables that are high in a substance called alkaline, which is the opposite of acid. Alkaline foods can also help to settle your stomach and reduce GERD symptoms.
- Bananas: Similar to green vegetables, bananas are another good component for an acid reflux diet plan because they are a fruit that is low in acid content. Bananas can be easily eaten as part of breakfast or a healthy snack between meals, making them an ideal addition to any diet.
- Ginger: Some might think of ginger more as an herb than a separate food, but it is an important ingredient to include in an acid reflux diet plan. Ginger is effective with reducing acid reflux because it is an anti-inflammatory that can reduce the discomfort that comes from stomach acid coming up your throat. It also has properties that can naturally settle the stomach.
- Yogurt: Another food that is good to include is yogurt. Yogurt is good for combatting GERD symptoms because it is full of protein and is effective at settling the stomach, similar to oatmeal. Yogurt can be a very “plain” food, meaning it’s not spicy, it’s not full of acid, so it can be eaten without making your stomach condition worse.
- Melons: Melons can be part of the diet for the same reason that bananas can be included: they’re high in alkaline content and therefore can settle the stomach. If you don’t care for bananas, melons can be included instead.
In conclusion, there are a number of foods that can be included in an acid reflux diet plan. These include oatmeal, a variety of green vegetables, bananas, ginger, yogurt, and melons. These are all foods that should be included in any acid reflux diet plan because they can keep you full while settling your stomach at the same time.
