Can Acid Reflux Diet Treat the Clinical Symptoms of Acid Reflux?
The acid reflux diet is primarily designed to prevent clinical symptoms of acid reflux and focus on reducing the gastrointestinal or gut distress experienced by individuals. This diet is aimed at providing lots of fiber-rich vegetables as well as low-fat foods to a person suffering from such a condition.
The key for followers of this diet is to avoid all types of spicy foods, high-fat foods, fried foods, acidic foods, and even citrus fruits, which can act as triggers for causing acid reflux in individuals. The acid reflux diet further aims to minimize or possibly lessen the irritation or set of symptoms that accompany acid reflux, such as heartburn, chest tightness, constriction, or a feeling of chest pain in some individuals alongside throat constriction or tightness (a lump-like feeling in the throat).
Individuals suffering from acid reflux very commonly may even experience oral manifestations like a bitter feeling in the mouth or oral cavity, often accompanied by several regressive alterations of the teeth, such as dental erosion (loss of tooth surface), attrition (tooth wear out due to contact with other teeth), or abrasion (tooth wear out caused by teeth grinding or scrubbing), that would occur in the tooth enamel layer especially due to frequent vomiting as a result of acid reflux.
Hence, as suggested by the gastroenterologist and the nutritionist, a dietary key to resolving the clinical symptoms alongside or in conjunction with proper treatment for acid reflux is crucial to eliminating these long-term clinical symptoms that influence the treatment success in these cases.
How to Eliminate the Trigger Factor in Acid Reflux Diet?
Reflux occurs when the contents of the stomach, particularly the acids are pushed back into the esophagus with or without vomiting, and individuals usually feel a burning sensation in their throat as a result of the acid reflux. For most individuals, the trigger factors are usually spicy foods such as peppers, onions, and spices or foods that comprise tangy ingredients such as garlic and scallions or onions.
Caffeine, similarly is another major food that is known to cause acid reflux symptoms, and the acid reflux diet particularly suggests the elimination of caffeine from the diet, because it would possibly relax the lower esophageal sphincters, which control the upward movements of the stomach contents. For most individuals, trigger foods further include common foods like high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, acidic foods, dairy products, and chocolate.
What Foods Are a Part of the Acid Reflux Diet?
-
Any healthy veggie or green is a definite yes on this diet, except cruciferous veggies or greens, such as cauliflower and broccoli should be avoided in this diet form as they can cause bloating or worsen reflux symptoms.
-
Most vegetables and greens are quite low in sugar and fats, they can help regulate stomach acids, and fiber-rich veggies are always pro-digestive in action. Some of the greens preferred on this diet are asparagus, squashes, and all the leafy greens.
-
Legumes, dried beans, and green beans can pack a definite punch of both fiber and protein. Consuming a lot of kidney beans, edamame, lentils, black beans, and pinto beans can certainly be a source of essential vitamins that can boost cellular energy and also promote digestion.
-
An acid reflux diet incorporates plenty of starchy vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, rutabagas, turnips, carrots, beets, and turnips. That can prevent reflux symptoms.
-
Grains can be excellent choices for boosting fiber and carbohydrate intake while preventing acid reflux. Quinoa, oat meals, amaranth, whole wheat, buckwheat, and barley grains are some of the best options on this diet.
-
Eggs are the major protein-rich sources needed for muscle synthesis and can be suited to individuals following the acid reflux diet. Instead of saturated fats and dairy that can act as triggers for stomach acid secretions, it is essential to substitute saturated fat and dairy with heart-healthy cooking oil or fats for recipes like avocado oil, extra virgin olive oil, and safflower oil.
-
Diary products can be substituted with low-fat or fat-free dairy or even nut-based milk like almond milk, cashew milk, plant-based milk like rice milk, or coconut milk that can be nutrient-rich alternative sources to dairy for individuals following this diet plan.
What Are the Tips to Be Followed Alongside the Acid Reflux Diet?
The general healthy cooking and eating guidelines recommended by nutritionists to follow for the individuals who adopt the acid reflux diet are as follows:
-
One can try sautéing, roasting, baking, braising, and steaming, the foods as well. But ideally, it is best not to fry the food. Deep frying specifically can act as a trigger to acid reflux. Hence, deep frying foods on the acid reflux diet are strictly prohibited.
-
It is better to choose heart-healthy unsaturated fats like olive oil and ghee over other mixed vegetable oils that comprise saturated fats or even butter.
-
Try filling the meal plate or one can even start the daily breakfast with a combination of fiber-rich vegetables or whole grains. Avoid refined and oily or other processed and junk foods.
-
It is considered best to consume dinner if one is suffering from acid reflux, at least ideally two hours before one goes to sleep. Often individuals who do not walk or get minimal physical activity after a meal can experience the symptoms of indigestion and reflux, but preferably giving a gap of three to four hours before sleep has been shown to possibly improve the reflux symptoms. Nutritionists and healthcare providers also advise that one should not lie down on a full stomach especially after consuming their meals and without adequate walking or activity post meals. This can cause pressure on the digestive tract, which can force the stomach contents back up the esophageal tract.
Conclusion
Most gastroenterologists and physicians also agree that current medical and nutrition research lifestyle factors are one of the most important influencers in shaping the way the body tends to absorb or digest food. The acid reflux diet would be overall helpful when it is properly charted out, recommended by the professional nutritionist or dietician, and personalized for the symptoms which can limit trigger foods and instead incorporate nutrient balance foods, that are a part of the acid reflux diet. Thus, it is important to avoid trigger foods like oily and fried foods, processed and refined foods, saturated fats, full-fat dairy, carbonated drinks, alcohol, caffeine, chocolates, and high cholesterol or fatty foods.
