What To Eat If You Suffer From Stomach Acid
The burning sensation in the pit of the stomach, which occurs after eating or after copious dinners, is one of the main reasons for medical consultation in the 21st century. Most sufferers don’t know what to eat to avoid this problem.
We could say that it is a “modern” disease, not because no one suffered from it before, but because now more and more people are affected. In this article we tell you what to eat if you suffer from stomach acid.
What is it and what causes stomach acid?
The medical term is heartburn and it is a burning sensation or pain in the esophagus (more precisely, under the breastbone) caused by the regurgitation of gastric acids. The ardor originates in the chest and, in some cases, passes to the neck, jaw and throat.
The main causes of stomach acid are:
- Stress, worries or an accelerated pace of life.
- Diets high in saturated fat.
- Eat lots of processed or refined carbohydrates.
- Quickly ingest food without chewing properly.
- Skipping meals (as it impairs proper digestive functioning).
- Drinking excess alcohol.
- To smoke.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Lack of rest.
- Bacterium Helicobacter pylori .
As you can see, many of the reasons for acidity are related to our lifestyle.
If we change some daily habits, we can reverse the situation and even avoid more serious ailments, such as ulcers or gastritis.
What to eat when suffering from heartburn
Gastric acidity can be very annoying and can prevent us from carrying out our daily activities normally. While we don’t always feel like eating when we experience this burning in the esophagus, there are some foods that can ease the symptoms:
1. Oats
This cereal taken especially at breakfast satisfies us and, at the same time, calms the burning sensation.
The good news is that it can also be consumed at any other time of the day if we are hungry. We advise you to accompany it with raisins.
Don’t worry about possible reactions, as oats will absorb the acid from the nuts.
2. Ginger
It must always be taken in moderation, as its flavor is very strong. It is one of the most useful foods if you suffer from acidity, because it acts as an anti-inflammatory in gastrointestinal affections.
Grate a small piece of ginger and take it in the form of tea or add it to foods or smoothies. It will bring a citrus flavor to dishes.
3. Aloe vera
One of the best natural remedies for any type of ailment that needs to heal. If we suffer from acidity, the walls of the esophagus will be damaged and that’s where the aloe kicks in.
Some prefer to take directly the gel contained in the leaves (alone or by mixing it with a juice or a smoothie), others ingest the products derived from the sabila, another name of the plant, on the market.
4. Vegetable salads
Green leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and rocket, s ono able to calm the ardor and pain caused by acidity.
We advise you not to add onion or tomato to the salad, much less cheeses or sour condiments. The best thing is to season only with a little salt and olive oil.
Celery is one of the ingredients that cannot be missing in your salads, as it contains a lot of water and is an excellent source of fiber, as well as an appetite suppressant.
5. Banana
A good idea for a snack or snack. Banana has a pH of 5.6, making it a calming option for reflux. However, some people find their situation aggravated when they eat this fruit.
You have to eat one and check if the symptoms have increased or decreased.
6. Watermelon
Watermelon and melon are two fruits that we can eat when we suffer from reflux, since, being formed by a large amount of water, they ” balance” the acid levels in the stomach.
You can eat a slice after lunch or dinner and, as in the case of bananas, you need to check your tolerance for this food.
7. Fennel
This medicinal plant, so tasty and nutritious, improves gastric function. Its delicate flavor and crunchy texture can be used to make salads, soups, flans and sauces.
Cut the fennel into thin slices and add it to the rocket and spinach. Drizzle with olive oil and your dish is ready.
8. Chicken or turkey
White meats are the best option when suffering from acidity, but only when baked, broiled, boiled or sauteed. It is not recommended to fry them or eat them with (very oily) skin.
9. Fish and seafood
The rule for eating seafood is the same as for meat: no frying. Among the best options, we recommend squid and salmon as fish, which are wild and not farmed.
10. Cooked vegetables
In addition to raw vegetables in salads, we can eat some cooked ones, such as, for example, cabbage, asparagus and broccoli. We also recommend that you eat root vegetables (carrots and beets for example), but only boiled.
11. Rice and the like
Couscous, bulgur or semolina can be included in this group of permitted foods. In the case of rice, better if whole or Yamani. They are all great for stomach acid sufferers. Remember to only eat a handful and accompany it with cooked vegetables.
