Arena of Health

Creating an acid reflux diet is one of the best ways to keep acid reflux under control. Studies have shown that dietary elements have been the cause for nearly 94% of acid reflux cases. The good news is that it’s easy to keep your acid reflux in check with a little meal planning.

Your Food Journal

While we know that food is one of the major triggers for acid reflux, the actual triggers and effects will vary from person to person. While there are general foods you should avoid, you will find that there are certain dishes or beverages affect you personally too. The best way to find out just what triggers your acid reflux is to start a food journal. Carry it with you for about two weeks and keep a careful note of everything that you eat. Even if it’s just a chocolate bar, make a note of it. Also, make a note of how you feel afterwards.

You should sit down with your doctor and discuss your food journal as well. For instance, if you need to cut out things like citrus fruits, then you’ll be missing out on a major source of vitamin C. Your doctor will be able to give you vitamin supplements and make sure that your acid reflux diet isn’t too extreme or unhealthy. Ensure that you check in with your doctor regularly to make sure your diet is going the way it should. If you feel any discomfort during your diet, speak to your doctor immediately.

Be Smart

You probably already know what foods you should avoid if you have acid reflux- deep-fried meats, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods and spicy dishes will easily trigger an acid reflux attack. Apart from keeping a food journal, there are some other measures you can take to help control acid reflux. First of all, avoid eating heavy meals- the larger the meal, the more strain you put on your stomach and the higher the chance of getting acid reflux. Eat smaller meals and avoid lying down afterwards, since that can cause acid reflux as well. Make sure you chew your food well, as this makes the digestion much easier on the stomach.

Drink water during your meal, as this will flush out excess stomach acid that might be formed. Chewing gum is another great way to combat acid reflux, since it stimulates saliva production, which is an effective neutralizer of stomach acid.

Another important thing to keep in mind is eating out. Don’t put your diet plan on holiday just because you are eating in a restaurant. Sticking to your dieting plan is important for your body, as a sudden deluge of unhealthy foods can put a lot of stress on your system. Be disciplined with your acid reflux diet and you’ll find that your overall health will improve as well.

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