Since everyone will feel better or worse certain foods, what we should do is to try to check which ones we tolerate to avoid heartburn.
This burning sensation in the mouth of the stomach that occurs after eating or after copious dinners is one of the main reasons for medical consultation in the 21st century.
It could be said that it is a "modern" disease, not because nobody suffered it before, but because now more and more people are experiencing it.
In this article we will tell you what to eat if you suffer from heartburn.
- What is it and what causes heartburn?
The medical term is heartburn and is a burning sensation or pain in the esophagus (more precisely, below the sternum) caused by the regurgitation of gastric acid.
The burning originates in the chest and in some cases goes to the neck, jaw and throat.
- The main causes of heartburn are:
Stress, worries or accelerated pace of life.
Diets rich in saturated fats.
Eat many processed or refined carbohydrates.
Swallow food quickly and without chewing properly.
Skip meals (alters the good digestive functioning).
Drinking alcohol in excess.
Smoke.
Sedentary.
Lack of rest.
Bacteria Helicobacter pylori.
As you can see, many of the reasons for heartburn are due to our lifestyle.
If we change some daily habits we can reverse the situation and even avoid more serious illnesses, such as ulcers or gastritis.
- Foods that calm heartburn
Heartburn can be very annoying and not allow us to perform our activities normally.
While we do not always feel like eating when we feel that burning in the esophagus, there are some foods that can relieve symptoms:
- Oats
This cereal, mainly consumed at breakfast, provides satiety and at the same time calms the burning sensation.
The good news is that you can also consume at any time of the day if we have appetite. We recommend that you accompany it with raisins.
Do not worry about the possible reactions, since the oats will absorb the acid from the nuts.
- Ginger
It should always be used sparingly, as its flavor is very strong. It is one of the most useful foods if we suffer from heartburn because it acts as an anti-inflammatory in gastrointestinal conditions.
Simply grate a small piece and consume it in the form of tea, or add it in the meals or in the shakes. It will bring a citrus flavor to your food.
- aloe vera
One of the best natural remedies for all types of ailments that require healing. If we have acidity the walls of the esophagus will be hurt and that is where the aloe comes into action.
Some choose to consume directly the gel inside the stems (alone or mixed with a juice or liquefied) and others by ingesting the products derived from the aloe they sell in the market.
- Vegetable salads
Green leafy vegetables such as lettuce and arugula have the ability to calm the burning and pain caused by heartburn.
We recommend that you do not add onions or tomatoes in the salad, nor cheeses or dressings.
It is best to season with a little salt and olive oil.
Celery is one of the ingredients that can not miss in your salads because it has a lot of water, is an excellent source of fiber and appetite suppressant.
- Banana
A good idea to eat mid-morning or in the afternoon. The banana has a pH of 5.6 and that makes it a soothing option for reflux. However, some people see their situation worsened when they eat this fruit.
It is only a matter of eating one and analyzing whether the symptoms have increased or decreased.
- Watermelon
Together with the melon, they are two fruits that we can eat when we suffer from reflux since, being formed by a large amount of water, they "balance" the levels of acid in the stomach.
You can consume a slice after lunch or dinner and, as with the banana, analyze if you tolerate it well.
- Fennel
This medicinal plant so rich and nutritious improves the stomach function. Its mild flavor and crunchy texture can be enjoyed in salads, soups, cakes and sauces.
Cut it into thin slices and mix it with arugula and spinach. Season with olive oil and you have the food.
- Chicken or turkey
White meats are the best option when we have acidity, as long as we consume them in the oven, grilled, boiled or sautéed. It is not good to eat them fried or with skin (very high in fat).
Fish and seafood
The rule for consuming seafood is the same as for chicken: no frying. Among the best options we recommend the shrimp and salmon and be wild, not breeding.
- Cooked vegetables
In addition to the raw vegetables in salads we can also eat some cooked ones, such as cabbage, asparagus and broccoli.
We recommend you to eat vegetables of the "root" type (carrots, beets, for example), as long as they are boiled.
- Rice
Couscous, bulgur wheat or semolina can also be included in this group of rices. In the case of rice better if it is whole or Yamaní. All of them are excellent for those who suffer from heartburn.
Remember to eat only a handful and accompany it with cooked vegetables.