topic Acid Reflux Diet in Wellness

Acid Reflux Diet

lolakimono — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 14:26:30 GMT

Since acid reflux can be a pre-cursor to developing Barrett's Esophagus and esophageal cancer, I like to post the things I find that warn others of these dangers.

It's never too late to make dietary changes to improve your health.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

Citrine1 — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 14:46:37 GMT

I've been dealing with heartburn for the last several months. Sadly, all of my favorite foods are on the "bad" list.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

4kitties — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 14:55:12 GMT

I would like to recommend two books to those of us that deal with acid issues. These books have helped me so very much!

Dropping Acid by Jamie Kaufman MD and Jordan Stern MD

The Acid Reflux Solution By Jorge Rodriguez MD

They give so very many helpful tips and dietary advise with recipes.

For instance, green apples can be bad for us but red apples are okay. Same with bell peppers, green= no but red are okay. Lots of little tips that have been a blessing for me.

Hope this can help!

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

NYwoman — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:02:14 GMT

I have had esophageal problens for a while and this chart is correct. I find apples and ginger to the most helpful. Fatty foods are a real killer! It is not only reflux but swallowing and digestion. Not one of those "popular" conditions that have people donating to fight for a cure, though.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

4kitties — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:13:08 GMT

And for me, no processed foods. In order to preserve food it must be acidified in some way. Citric Acid seems to be in everything!

And I never drink carbonated drinks. I had to have an examination of my esophagus and in order to dialated it I had to drink a fizzy solution made with some crystals in liquid. Like alka seltzer on steroids!🤣🤣. So I know all carbonation can be bad.

It it is difficult for me since I love many of the foods I can no longer tolerate but I try my best.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

lolakimono — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:19:38 GMT

@NYwoman wrote:
I have had esophageal problens for a while and this chart is correct. I find apples and ginger to the most helpful. Fatty foods are a real killer! It is not only reflux but swallowing and digestion. Not one of those "popular" conditions that have people donating to fight for a cure, though.

@NYwoman

In case people are not aware, there is an organization working towards this fight. ECAN is the name.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

Bird mama — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:21:35 GMT

Although I don't have it, my Ma and husband did.

I just wanted to add that sometimes timing is everything. My Ma was a die hard tea drinker and if she limited her consumption in the evenings it went better for her.

My husband wouldn't eat chocolate candy/cake after 6 pm.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

cherry — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:43:09 GMT

It can be triggered by medications. Metformin is know for it

A fodmap diet can be a great help to you. Also, elevate the head of your bed, because, lying down, makes it worse for some.

I do intermittent fasting and also drink a lot of water to wash the acid down as per my Dr

I have been taking a probiotic ,called goodbelly ,that has help me a great deal

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

sidsmom — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 15:52:28 GMT

If one eats off the ‘GOOD’ list (except coconut),

there’s A greater than zero chance medications

would be reduced. Eating the ‘BAD’ list causes

a lot of inflammation. Reduce the inflammation

and the body heals naturally.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

AuntG — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 16:50:28 GMT

As of last night, I've learned to go light on the spaghetti sauce.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

Kachina624 — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 16:56:47 GMT

I notice leafy greens are on the good list, but beware of salad dressing. Many contain vinegar or lemon juice and that's murder if you have acid reflux.

Many people with reflux start taking proton pump inhibitors like Nexium or Prevacid. These can be very dangerous taken long term. Take only under supervision of your doctor. Try acid reducers like Tagamet, Pepcid instead.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

chrystaltree — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 17:08:59 GMT

@Bird mama wrote:
Although I don't have it, my Ma and husband did.

I just wanted to add that sometimes timing is everything. My Ma was a die hard tea drinker and if she limited her consumption in the evenings it went better for her.

My husband wouldn't eat chocolate candy/cake after 6 pm.

Yes, timing can be a factor. Body position after eating can also be a factor. If I sit up for an hour after eating, I find that reflux is greatly diminished. Amount of food is also a factor for many. If I eat 6-7 small meals a day, virtually no reflux even if I eat a trigger food. Also, my gi doctor recommend that I sit and rest after eating. Don't "eat and run" and he was right, no reflux if if eat small meals/sit up/rest. I sleep on double pillows at night too. And as someone already said, there some medications that cause reflux. When you are dealing with acid reflux food is just ONE of the elements, and often not the most important. Mine began with my gastric bypass 20something years ago. I refused to take medication for it so learned to control it in other ways. I admit, I love my sodas. I have two glasses a day, so I enjoy my diet sodas and do all of the above.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

KathyM23 — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:01:37 GMT

I have had this condition for a long time. I do pretty much eat from the good food chart. I sure know I can't eat from the bad side. My exceptions are chocolate and tomatoes - I have just recently been able to eat tomatoes (one of my favorites) without issues. I have been on a proton pump inhibitor for many years. I don't liketo take it and know the dangers, but I am miserable without it. Had my bed propped with and all - didn't help. I ended up with gastritis and bleeding stomach. With the PPI I am much better. What you eat is critical in controlling this even with a PPI.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

Nightowlz — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 18:44:13 GMT

I had that a few times. It's horrible. Feels like it's burning a hole in your throat.

I don't like to eat after 6 pm but sometimes it's a little later when we eat. I won't eat after 7 pm.

I take Andrew Lessman Ultimate Friendly Flora plus take his Digestive Enzymes & have not had any problems with acid reflux.

Apples may help but not if you eat them after 7 pm.

I cannot eat any fruit later in the evening unless I want to wake up with acid reflux. Mine happened in the middle of the night.

There are only a few things on the bad list I eat. Chocolate is the big one for me. Love it not going to stop eating it. LOL!!! I won't eat it at night though.

DH eats jerky or cheese & crackers, cashews late at night before going to bed. If I did that I would wake up with acid reflux.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

Foxxee — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 19:57:42 GMT

I see spices on the bad food list. Yes, cinnamon really bad.

I have acid reflux and take Prilosec. It's the only thing that works.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

mousiegirl — Sun, 10 Feb 2019 01:33:57 GMT

I don't see lemons as being bad as they turn akaline in the body.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

Kitty Galore — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 18:32:33 GMT

I was diagnosed with Barrett's Esophagus in December. I'm on a PPI and will have to stay on it for awhile. Not crazy about taking them , was on Zantac for years but it didn't stop the reflux well enough so no choice. I find some of the things on the bad list bother me and some don't , same goes fir the good list. I find cinnamon and apple juice really bother me along with ginger. Everyone is different and you have to find out for yourselves which food items you can eat. I dont eat after 7:30 , I go to bed Late usually around 11:30 -midnight. Never bend over right after eating either .

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

sfnative — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 20:19:34 GMT

I never had such an issue until I developed microscope colitis after eating a bad Chicken Caesar Wrap from TJs. My super duper internist brainiac, who suffered from Crohn's Disease, was a font of information and told me that it wasn't unusual for stomach/esophageal issues to accompany colon issues.

Though the acid reflux symptoms "retired" after the microscopic colitis resolved after 5 years, they resurfaced big time for some reason about 4 years ago. Went to a GI doc, had an upper GI and sure enough Barret's cell found in my esophagus and my entire stomach was inflamed. Additionally, they found a linear almost cut-like, in the stomach near the pyloric valve, which is where the stomach empties into the duodenum (near the gal bladder). They ended up scoping my gal bladder and found it looking good and free of stones.

I've since been religious about following directions given to me by my GI physician and am usually clear of symptoms. I have been additionally challenged because I'm quite short-waisted. This means that when I sit down it doesn't take much to smoosh my stomach up to where it shouldn't be.

A few things my doc told me that also might be helpful: when drinking hot drink, do not drink it hot any longer. "Hot" is on the "no" list. As others have mentioned, position, position, position during and after eating. No slouching! Sit up straight at the table and when you adjourn to a more comfortable chair or sofa, you simply cannot lean back for 2.5 hours. Not 1 hour, but 2.5.

Exercising: Did you know that when you commence exercise your digestive processes nearly ceases? So...make sure to space your meals and exercise routines to allow sufficient time for food processing.

Lastly: Food empties your stomach to the right. If you've kind of eaten a bit late so would like to avoid a bout of bad acid stomach back-slashing up to your esophagus late at night, assume a position on your right side in bed.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

tsavorite — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 13:48:50 GMT

My hubby always sleeps on his left side to prevent it....right side brings it on. Also heard to sleep on left from one of those doctor talk shows about acid reflux. I don't know-how hubby can manage all night never changing sides but he does. I flip flop like a fish out of water all night and don't have acid reflux.

https://howtotreatheartburn.com/avoid-2-positions-to-prevent-nighttime-heartburn/

There are many more articles out there on why sleeping on left side is best to prevent it and also not sleeping on your back. Husband stopped doing back sleeping early on in our marriage due to horrible snoring! Then got him a pure sleep snore guard and that has totally stopped snoring.

Re: Acid Reflux Diet

LTT1 — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 21:11:48 GMT

@lolakimono

thank you for your original post with graphic!

This is always helpful for me, seeing a graphic such as this!

The foods on the “bad” list coincide with acid symptoms for me.

The foods on the “good” list are true...I like that the chart mentions fiber too!

Fiber has been very healthful in my diet. Doesn’t seem like it would be, but it certainly is.