Acid reflux is never fun to deal with. This common ailment usually leads to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including heartburn, stomach upset, chest pain, regurgitation, and/or difficulty swallowing. Though over-the-counter products may provide temporary relief from acid reflux, you might wonder how to naturally prevent or reduce your symptoms. Here are a few suggestions that may provide relief:
Avoid Trigger Foods
Avoiding the consumption of your trigger foods is key to naturally reducing acid reflux. If you don’t know what those foods are, consider keeping a food and symptom diary to help you identify foods that worsen your reflux.
You’ll likely find a few common culprits, like these typical triggers:
• Coffee and tea
• Chocolate
• Spicy food
• Beer, wine, and other forms of alcohol
• Fried or greasy foods
• Mint
• Tomatoes and tomato-based foods
Be More Mindful When Eating
Ever notice how your acid reflux flares up upon wolfing down a meal? Eating quickly and overeating are correlated with heartburn and reflux. Unfortunately, though, it can be easy to fail to realize that you’re eating quickly until it’s too late. Before you dig into your next meal, remember these simple tips:
• Eliminate distractions at mealtime, like watching television.
• Chew each bite thoroughly.
• Eat smaller meals rather than big meals.
Eat Beneficial Foods
Finally, you can try upping your consumption of certain foods believed to help with reflux, including:
• Ginger
• Bananas
• Turmeric
• Honey
• Marshmallow
Staying on top of your personal and professional life can be a challenge. At Westmount at Three Fountains Apartments in San Antonio, Texas, we hope to make your daily routine a bit easier with tips and tricks that can be applied to every aspect of life.