Gerd Diet: Foods That Help With Acid Reflux
Getting a case of acid reflux once in a while isn’t unusual, but some people suffer from burning discomfort, bloating and belching almost every time they eat. About 20% of the population has gastroesophageal reflux disease , a chronic acid reflux condition that’s diagnosed by a doctor.
Normally, the esophageal sphincter protects the esophagus from stomach acid. However, if the sphincter relaxes, food can push upward through the loosened opening and cause acid reflux.
“Diet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms and is the first line of therapy used for people with GERD,” says Ekta Gupta, M.B.B.S., M.D., gastroenterologist with Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Can Fatty Liver Disease Make It Harder For Me To Lose Weight
Fatty liver disease should not make it harder for you to lose weight. However, you will have to follow a strict eating and exercise plan in order to lose weight. The doctors at Johns Hopkins may need to treat your fatty liver disease with a combination of medications in order to achieve adequate glucose control and normal cholesterol levels.
Request an Appointment
What Causes Digestive Issues
Most of the time, no one thing triggers gastrointestinal problems, and often, GI symptoms aren’t spontaneous. Many people develop digestive issues slowly, when a combination of factors worsens over time. Any of these seven elements could be affecting your digestion:
Diet: Obviously, what you eat impacts your entire GI tract. If you’re allergic to or sensitive to certain foods, your body may revolt in the form of upset digestion.
Hydration: Nothing works well when you’re dehydrated. Water acts as a lubricant for all organ systems and helps your body maintain homeostasis.
Sleep: Lack of sleep affects every part of your body, including your digestive system — and all the hormones that dictate its functions. Studies show that short sleep duration alters the levels of important digestive hormones and that poor sleep harms the healthy bacteria in your microbiome.
Stress: You may not intuitively equate stress with an upset stomach, but research tells us that millions of neurons in your gut communicate with the billions of neurons in your brain along something called the gut-brain axis. When you’re stressed, you also produce excess cortisol, which can trigger a handful of digestive reactions.
Microbiome dysfunction: Your gut contains two kinds of bacteria: friendly and unfriendly. If the bad bugs outweigh the good ones, your risk for all kinds of digestive issues increases.
A post shared by BIOHM Health on Aug 14, 2019 at 7:00am PDT
Read Also: Why Does Your Stomach Cramp
Help Your Digestive System With These 5 Foods
2 Minute Read
Medically Reviewed by Digestive Disorders
Your digestive system is made up of a group of organs that process food, absorb nutrients, and rid the body of waste. And whether you are feeling under the weather, have a digestive disorder, or just want to eat something calm on the stomach, specific foods help digestion more than others.
Although we all have our favorite sweet and savory snacks, putting healthy, easily digestible foods into your body can help improve your overall health, while also making you look and feel better.
The 12 Best Foods For An Upset Stomach
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.
Almost everyone gets an upset stomach from time to time.
Common symptoms include nausea, indigestion, vomiting, bloating, diarrhea or constipation.
There are many potential reasons for an upset stomach and treatments vary depending on the underlying cause.
Thankfully, a variety of foods can settle an upset stomach and help you feel better, faster.
Here are the 12 best foods for an upset stomach.
Recommended Reading: What Can Cause Stomach Pain And Nausea
Healthy Eating When You Have Digestive Problems
What you eat can contribute to digestive problems. Many people eat too much processed food and sugar, and not enough fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Poor eating habits, such as eating too quickly or skipping meals, may also be part of the problem. Many digestive problems can be prevented by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
The following are lists of healthy foods that can be incorporated into your diet.
FRUIT
- Canned fruits
- Cantaloupe
Bland Diet: What It Is And When To Go On One
A bland diet also called a soft food diet, is a dietary plan that involves avoiding spicy foods or those with too many condiments and staying away from high-fat foods. Besides, preparing these foods is very simple, for example, boiled or oven-baked meals. On the other hand, you should avoid fried and salty foods or ones with lots of sauce.
The main goal of the bland diet is to give the digestive system as little work as possible to help it to recuperate in cases of diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive issues. Easing digestion and avoiding the stimulation of gastric secretions, makes this possible. In most cases, this diet is recommended to alleviate problems associated with certain surgeries or illnesses, mainly related to the digestive system, such as the following:
You May Like: Where Is My Baby At 17 Weeks In My Stomach
Obesity And Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is strongly associated with obesity. Excess fat causes insulin resistance and inflammatory signals. Insulin resistance means that the pancreas has to produce more insulin in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels, and is the first step towards developing diabetes.
Patients who have hypertension , have high cholesterol, are overweight or obese, and have diabetes or insulin resistance are at greater risk to develop fatty liver disease. Physicians and scientists do not fully understand why the excess fat causes these liver changes. They do know that by losing weight, liver enzymes may normalize and liver inflammation may improve.
Beware Gut Symptom Triggers
Some people find particular foods cause them problems. Acidic foods, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, salad dressings and fizzy drinks, can trigger heartburn, while wheat and onions may cause irritable bowel syndrome.
And if you cannot digest lactose, the sugar in milk, you’ll develop wind and diarrhoea after drinking milk or eating dairy products, including cream, cheese, yoghurt and chocolate.
Try to stay away from foods and drinks that trigger your digestive symptoms. Keep a food diary to work out which foods cause your symptoms.
You May Like: How To Cure Bacterial Infection In Stomach
Gastric Problems: Causes Symptoms Foods To Eat And Foods To Avoid Home Remedies And Yoga Exercises
In todays fast-paced world, the foods people consume regularly are loaded with trans fats, sugars and oil, invariably resulting in an upset stomach. Digestive disorders and other illnesses affecting the gastrointestinal tract arise not only in adults but also in children, teenagers and the elderly. Also Read: Digestive Disorders: 7 Ways To Improve Gut Health
One such common concern is gastric problem, which can be quite embarrassing, especially when a foul odour emanates from a person post meals. This instance occurs when surplus gas accumulates in the organs of the digestive system, namely the stomach and intestines.
In the human digestive system, the gastrointestinal tract comprises the oesophagus or the food pipe, stomach and intestines. The oesophagus transports food particles to the stomach and intestines, where they are broken down into simpler substances, to enable other organs and tissues to absorb nutrients from food, for carrying out routine biological functions and ensuring optimal overall health.
Diet Your Way To Health: Special Diets For Gastrointestinal Disorders
The food we eat can have a huge impact on our health especially our gastrointestinal health. In some cases the food we eat can either cause gastrointestinal disorders, or further aggravate a gastro disorder. Either way, simply changing your diet can help a lot! Here are some diets that can help to alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders.
Read Also: How To Burn Stomach Fat Without Exercise
Beware Of Certain Foods
Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center states that you can experience uncomfortable bloating, belching and/or flatulence after consuming gas-producing foods. In the vegetables and legumes category, the culprits include cabbage, onions, peppers and soy products. Overconsumption of certain fruit juices and fruits might also lead to discomfort. If that’s the case, eat fewer servings of avocado, cantaloupe, raisins and pear juice.
If you’re lactose intolerant, consuming dairy products can open a Pandora’s box of undesirable side effects. Simply put, your body doesn’t have enough of the lactase enzyme that helps you to digest lactose, the sugar in many dairy products.
If you consume dairy-based foods, you’ll likely experience bloating, gas, stomach cramps, diarrhea and nausea. Offenders include milk, ice cream and sherbet, yogurt and some cheese varieties.
Foods with a high fat content, such as fried foods and fatty meats, can also trigger gastric problems. Although bran and other high-fiber foods provide nutritional benefits, introducing fiber too quickly can create intestinal discomfort.
Also beware of sugar-free gums and candies â many contain artificial sweeteners such as mannitol and sorbitol, which often produce unpleasant gassy effects.
Read more:Home Remedies for Smelly Flatulence
Risk Factors Of Gastric Problems:
Certain aspects make an individual highly prone to developing gastric complaints, bloating and its associated digestive complications like irritable bowel syndrome , diarrhoea, heartburn, constipation and stomach cramps. These include:
Very Low-Fiber Diet
While it is important to restrict daily calorie and carbohydrate intake to maintain healthy body weight, the latter only applies to the digestible carbs sugars and starches, while fibers – the indigestible carbs, must be eaten in considerable amounts. When soluble and insoluble dietary fibers are scarce in regular meals, flushing out solid, liquid wastes via the bowel and bladder becomes difficult and gastric trouble is an invariable consequence.
Roughage in green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and whole-grain cereals of oats, barley is key in easing bladder and bowel movement, thus ensuring the elimination of food wastes, injurious toxins, urine and stool, without any hindrance.
Sedentary Lifestyle
A lack of physical activity every day results in a gradual increase in the body mass index , which triggers chronic illnesses of obesity, hypertension and diabetes. Moreover, since the predominant part of the day goes by in remaining seated, the abdominal muscles, oesophageal tissues and diaphragm transport food particles at a slower pace than normal, hampering metabolism and slowing down digestion.
Mental Stress
Don’t Miss: Where Does Stomach Cancer Metastasis To
Avoid Fried Foods And Dairy Until Fully Healed
When you start to feel better from an upset stomach and want to expand your diet, there are certain foods you should stay away from until you’re fully healed.
“Dairy-rich and fried foods are definitely food groups you want to avoid when you experience stomach discomfort,” Smith says. This is because these food groups are generally high in fat, which can slow down your stomach emptying.
When your stomach empties slowly, you are more likely to have symptoms like nausea and stomach pain.
If your stomach is feeling upset, be careful with what you eat and drink and make sure to listen to your body’s hunger cues.
“Don’t stress if your food intake is decreased for a few days,” Smith says, “However, you should seek the guidance of a physician if you notice yourself eating significantly lesser amounts of food for more than a week.”
The 19 Best Foods To Improve Digestion
The digestive tract plays a vital role in your health, as its responsible for absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste.
Unfortunately, many people suffer from digestive problems like bloating, cramping, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation for a variety of reasons.
Certain conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome , Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease , Crohns Disease, diverticulitis and heartburn, can put you at risk for more severe digestive issues.
However, even a healthy person can experience digestive problems due to things such as a lack of fiber or probiotic-rich foods in their diet.
Here are the 19 best foods to improve your digestion.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Bloat My Stomach
Others Recommended This Diet
Likewise, it’s recommended to those people -both children and adults- that have undergone jaw surgeries, that use dental devices or that have gastroesophageal reflux. Medical professionals may also recommend this diet before a colonoscopy or some types of surgical interventions to prepare the body.
Although some think that you can only eat foods with a soft texture on this diet, this isn’t the case. On a bland diet, you can also eat hard foods. You should talk to your doctor about going on a soft food diet, and it is usually recommended in cases of gastroenteritis and other illnesses that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Gastric Emptying Tests And Scans
Blood tests, upper endoscopy, stomach X-ray and ultrasound are typically performed to help rule out any potential stomach obstructions.
After that, stomach-emptying tests are used to measure the rate in which food leaves the stomach. These tests include scintigraphy, breath testing and a wireless motility capsule .
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Stretch Marks On Stomach Male
What You Should Eat
-
Semi-solid Foods
If your body is rejecting solid foods, dont force yourself to eat. Instead, consume semi-solid foods such as soup or coconut water. Your body should be able to keep them down and they will help replenish essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and sodium that your body can lose when you have irregular bowel movements.
-
White Rice
Foods that are bland and easy to digest are good to eat when you are fighting an upset stomach. Plain white rice is your best bet. Avoid eating brown rice as it can be hard for your stomach to digest. White rice, being a refined carbohydrate, is also low in fibre and will help stop the common symptoms of diarrhoea.
-
Toast
Toast made from white flour or maida is another example of a bland, low fibre food that can help neutralise excess stomach acid and stop diarrhoea. Avoid eating toast made from fibre-rich whole grains such as wheat as they can make diarrhoea related symptoms worse.
-
Bananas
Bananas are easy to digest and are known to ease stomach pain. They have a natural antacid effect and can relieve symptoms such as indigestion. This high potassium fruit also increases mucus production in the stomach which helps prevent the irritation of the stomach lining.
Yoga For Gastric Problems:
Yoga wonderfully supplements a healthy diet and mindful eating habits, in curing common health concerns of the abdominal system like gastric problem, indigestion, bloating, flatulence and irritable bowel syndrome . Today, even doctors and healthcare professionals recommend performing yoga exercises every day, to keep gastric problems under control. Also Read: Yoga For Weight Loss: 5 Ways To Get Toned Physique
Yoga offers marvellous benefits for gut health including increasing blood circulation in the stomach and intestines, thereby promoting digestion and regulating bowel movements, thus lowering the accumulation of gas in the tummy.
Here are five yogasanas, that confer superb wellness incentives for improved digestive functions and enriched gut health.
You May Like: What Causes Stomach Cramps And Diarrhea After Eating
What Not To Eat
Pay attention to all the foods you are eating while managing diarrhea and vomiting. Avoid the following foods:
- Spicy foods
- Fatty foods, including fried foods, greasy foods, and junk foods
- Alcohol
- Beans and vegetables that cause gas, such as broccoli and cauliflower
- Heavy proteins, including pork, steak, and salmon
Licorice Can Reduce Indigestion And May Help Prevent Stomach Ulcers
Licorice is a popular remedy for indigestion and may also prevent painful stomach ulcers.
Traditionally, licorice root was consumed whole. Today, its most commonly taken as a supplement called deglycyrrhizinated licorice .
DGL is preferred over regular licorice root because it no longer contains glycyrrhizin, a naturally occurring chemical in licorice that can cause fluid imbalances, high blood pressure and low potassium levels when consumed in large quantities (
34 ).
Summary Ground flaxseed meal and flaxseed oil can help regulate bowel movements and relieve constipation in humans. Animal studies suggest they may also prevent stomach ulcers and intestinal spasms, but more research is needed.
Also Check: How To Treat Stomach Pain And Diarrhea
If You Are Vomiting Or Have Diarrhea Start With Clear Liquids
Clear liquids are the easiest things for your body to digest because they don’t leave any undigested residue behind in your intestines. Plus, they’re an easy way to stay hydrated if you’re experiencing fluid loss from diarrhea or vomiting.
For something to count as a clear liquid, it can have a color, but you have to be able to see through it.
Some clear liquids you can try are:
- Clear broth, such as bouillon
- Clear sodas like seltzer
- Herbal teas like peppermint and chamomile, which can also calm nausea
Other, more solid, options that will be easy on the stomach are:
- Jell-O
- Popsicles with no milk or fruit pulp
You can start by slowly eating or drinking small amounts of clear liquids. As the symptoms improve and you’re able to keep food down, you can gradually increase the amount.
Keep in mind that you should not stay on the clear liquid diet for more than a few days, as it does not give you enough calories or nutrients. If you are still unable to keep food down, you should visit your doctor.
Bland Carbohydrates May Be More Easily Tolerated
Bland carbohydrates like rice, oatmeal, crackers and toast are often recommended for people suffering from upset stomachs.
While this recommendation is common, there is little evidence to show that they actually help relieve symptoms.
However, many people report that these foods are easier to keep down when youre not feeling well .
While bland carbohydrates may be more palatable during an illness, its important to expand your diet again as soon as possible. Restricting your diet too much may keep you from getting enough of the vitamins and minerals your body needs in order to heal .
Summary
Many people with an upset stomach find bland carbohydrates easier to tolerate than other foods, but there is little evidence to show that they actually relieve symptoms.
You May Like: What To Take If Your Stomach Hurts