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What to Eat on a Preventative Acid Reflux Diet |
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Friday, 11 May 2007 |
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Since restricting the diet is very important for people with acid reflux disease, knowing how and when to eat appropriately is a top priority. If you are suffering from consistent heartburn and problems with the acid levels in your stomach, it may be necessary to adopt an acid reflux diet in the short term. An acid reflux diet can help manage and balance the volatile stomach acids that can lead to acid reflux disease; drinking plenty of water and managing stress appropriately are also part of the process.
A variety of foods can trigger an heartburn attack or episode. Most of these food groups are highly concentrated, and may contain varying levels of acid and citrus juices that can exacerbate the condition. The important thing to remember when creating a preventative acid reflux diet is to balance out each food group so that digestion is complete and natural. Many sufferers of acid reflux disease overlook the problems with digesting and assimilating food appropriately. They may not be drinking enough water, and this can lead to further problems. Alcohol, especially red wine, is a known contributor of acid reflux disease. The tannins in red wine can cause a chemical reaction in the stomach that results in excess acid production. Coffee, tea, and caffeinated carbonated beverages can also lead to problems with acid reflux disease, and can contribute to fluctuating levels of acid in the stomach. Chocolate can trigger an episode simply because of its high sugar content and other natural chemicals. Citrus fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes can lead to frequent acid problems. In addition, spicy foods can trigger a reaction as they affect the stress hormones in the body. Dry foods such as peanuts and other varieties of nuts need to be avoided; in some cases, many acid reflux disease sufferers do not realize they have an allergy, and this can lead to an acid imbalance on its own. Managing an acid-reflux diet involves many preventative measures. Staying away from triggering food groups will help manage a healthier lifestyle, and lead to a lower chance of an acid attack. |