Best and Worst Food Choices for Hiatal Hernia

Introduction

In a hiatal hernia, a part of the stomach bulges upward in the diaphragm but usually has no symptoms. What a person eats in a day makes a big difference. Therefore, a person's diet plays an essential role in the appearance of symptoms. In a hiatal hernia, stomach acid enters the esophagus (a tube carrying food from the throat to the stomach) of the person. It creates a burning sensation in the throat, chest, and stomach. Certain foods are responsible for making symptoms worse for people. Some symptoms like heartburn associated with hiatal hernia can be controlled with the help of diet and lifestyle modification. One of the main symptoms is acid reflux which causes pain and discomfort after eating certain foods. Foods that do not produce much acid help to reduce symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms Associated With Hiatal Hernia?

A hiatal hernia does not always show symptoms, but when it shows symptoms, these are similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These symptoms include:

• Pain in the chest.

• The sensation of heartburn in the throat, chest, and stomach.

• Bitter or sour taste in the throat.

• Bloating in the stomach.

• Discomfort or pain in the stomach or esophagus.

What Foods and Beverages Are Beneficial in Hiatal Hernia?

There are several good foods to eat during a hiatal hernia. Food that does not produce acid in the stomach is beneficial. Food that contains more fiber is beneficial in case of acid reflux. Beneficial food is as follows:

Lean Protein: In hiatal hernia, lean meats are good instead of fatty ones. Meats with high-fat content can aggravate the condition and worsen the symptoms. Lean protein sources such as skinless chicken breasts and mackerel are beneficial. Hamburgers and meatloaf can be substituted with ground turkey for ground beef. Other protein sources, such as beans and tofu, are also good options. Baking meats and fish, instead of frying, are excellent options. Extremely spicy seasonings over meat should be avoided.

Fresh Vegetables: Vegetables are good choices because vegetables do not aggravate the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. In addition, vegetables are beneficial for acid reflux. Leafy green vegetables, such as broccoli and spinach, give lots of calcium and vitamin B. Vegetables are also good sources of antioxidants, such as red bell peppers and carrots. Other vegetables that do not aggravate the condition include kale, sweet potatoes, squash, and string beans.

Low-Acid Fruit: Such fruits assure health benefits without aggravating the symptoms of hiatal hernia. Some healthy fruits include:

• Apricots.

• Cherries.

• Raspberries.

• Blueberries.

• Cantaloupe.

Whole Grains: Complex carbs and whole grains like oatmeal are suitable for people having gastrointestinal issues. Other options, such as whole-grain bread and rice, are good options. Potatoes and other root vegetables are starchy but suitable for patients with hiatus hernia. But familiar flavors such as onion and garlic should be avoided because these can cause irritation to the stomach and increase acid production.

Healthy Fats: Certain fatty foods can aggravate hiatal hernia symptoms, but eating monounsaturated fats in moderation can improve a person's health. Some sources of healthier fats include:

• Olive and sunflower oils.

• Canola oils.

• Avocados.

• Certain nuts and their butter.

• Tofu.

• Salmon.

Watery Food: Eating watery foods can help to reduce symptoms, and it dilutes stomach acids. Examples of water-rich foods include:

• Cucumbers.

• Lettuce.

• Watermelon.

• Broth-based soups.

• Herbal tea.

What Foods Should Hiatal Hernia Patients Avoid?

1. Fatty Foods: Several foods increase the amount of acid produced in the stomach, which aggravates the symptoms because of more reflux. Avoiding such foods is suitable for controlling the symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Make a habit of consuming baked or grilled items instead of fried ones, which helps decrease the likelihood of acid reflux. Full-fat dairy products can trigger acid reflux, so taking lower-fat products helps reduce symptoms.

2. Garlic, Onions, and Spicy Foods: Not every subject feels symptoms with the consumption of garlic and onions, but these are considered to incite GERD symptoms, so it is good to avoid such foods during hiatal hernia. Spicy foods such as jalapeno peppers and black pepper and food that increases a burning sensation can irritate the esophagus, making symptoms worse.

3. Highly Acidic Foods: A certain amount of acid is present in some fruit and juices. These acids can irritate the lining of the esophagus and stomach. Therefore, foods like tomato sauce and orange juice should be avoided because these can aggravate the symptoms. Likewise, avoid pizza because it is both acidic and fatty.

4. Coffee: Coffee reduces the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (the doors for stomach acids to enter). The caffeine part of coffee stimulates acid production. Chocolate and mint also have the same effect.

5. Alcohol and Carbonated Beverages: Water is best for drinking with hiatal hernia symptoms. Alcoholic beverages are known to aggravate GERD symptoms, but the effect on every individual is different. It is recommended to limit boozy beverages to reduce symptoms of the condition. Bubbly sippers produce extra strain on the lower esophageal sphincter, aggravating the condition's symptoms.

What Are the Eating and Cooking Tips for a Patient With a Hiatal Hernia?

The way of cooking food can make a difference. People who experience heartburn symptoms should prepare foods in healthy ways. For example, fried foods aggravate heartburn, and excess eating at one time also worsens the symptoms.

The following are some helpful tips:

• Cook food with healthy fat oils, such as avocado, coconut, and olive oils.

• Eat whole foods. The high fiber content of foods should help reduce acid reflux symptoms.

• Eat small meals instead of large meals during the day.

• The addition of probiotic foods helps reduce symptoms of acid reflux. Cultured vegetables are good options. Yogurt and kombucha are also other good choices. Taking a probiotic supplement is also good.

• Drink an ample amount of plain water. It is the best beverage. A person should drink eight glasses of water per day. The addition of lemon is beneficial. Although lemon is an acidic fruit outside the body, its metabolized products are alkaline in the body.

What Are the Other Lifestyle Tips Beneficial in Hiatal Hernia?

Apart from food, certain things help to prevent acid reflux in hiatal hernia:

• Avoid going to bed immediately after eating. After dinner, wait for at least two to three hours before bed.

• Elevating the head of the bed by about six inches during sleep is more comfortable.

• Maintain a healthy weight in case of overweight issues.

• Avoid smoking.

• Avoid tight-fitting clothes because the heartburn gets worse.

• Consume food that includes probiotics and digestive enzymes.

• Eat in a calm and relaxing place. Avoid eating while standing up.

• Do moderate exercise for at least twenty minutes a day.

Conclusion

Diet plays a significant role in the management of symptoms of hiatus hernia. In some cases, diet is the leading cause of hiatal hernia. This is because some food irritates the stomach and digestive tract lining. However, for those who do not have symptoms, treatment with dietary changes is enough to avoid foods that trigger acid production.