Are you currently suffering from a case of GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease? Then, know that you are not alone. This disease has the tendency of causing much discomfort due to stomach contents leaking back into the esophagus. This leads to the symptom of heartburn for many people. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid that has refluxed touches the lining of the esophagus, causing one to experience a burning sensation. Some simple lifestyle tweaks can help lessen the effects of this health condition.
Avoid the following foods:
- Any caffeinated beverage
- Citrus-based juices
- Soda
- Alcohol
- Mints
- Tomato products
- Fried foods
- Spices
- Garlic
- Chocolate
In addition, eating smaller, but frequent meals can help to reduce stomach pressure that often triggers the reflux effect. Another tip is to reduce the amount of fat per meal because this nutrient takes the longest to exit the stomach compared to a carbohydrate and/or protein. Last quick tip...avoid eating before bedtime. Why? It normally takes about 4-5 hours on average to fully digest a meal. We recommend that one waits at least 3 hours after eating to go to bed.
Have a great weekend everyone!