A hiatal hernia results when part of the stomach pushes through into the portion of your diaphragm where the esophagus passes through. While it sounds quite serious, it typically does not cause any symptoms. Larger ones, however, can lead to digestive upset and you need to watch your diet to reduce symptoms.
Hiatal Hernia and Diet
A hiatal hernia can effect how your food gets digested. It causes food and stomach acids to travel back up from the stomach into the esophagus. This creates heartburn and other symptoms similar to gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. This means following a diet that will reduce acid reflux. You can accomplish this in two ways: eating non-acidic foods and avoiding foods that weaken the band of muscles between the esophagus and stomach.
Excess weight will also worsen symptoms so eating to shed pounds will surely help; no big mystery here, you must eat fewer calories and focus on a diet low in saturated and trans fats and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and fiber.
Avoiding Acidic Foods
Your stomach naturally produces acids that aid in the digestive process. You do not want to eat foods that add to this process Common culprits include caffeine in any form, tomatoes and products made with them, citrus fruits and juices, alcohol and carbonated drinks.
Foods that Weaken the Esophageal Sphincter
Certain foods relax the esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to travel back up the esophagus more easily. To avoid this, reduce your intake of fatty foods like full-fat dairy products and foods made with them, fatty meats, chocolate, spearmint and peppermint.
Fiber
Eating a fiber-rich diet might also help prevent heartburn and other digestive disturbances by absorbing excess acid in the stomach. Fiber-rich foods include whole-grains, beans, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. As of 2010, current recommendations for daily intake include 30 to 38g for men and 21 to 25g for women.
Other Dietary Considerations
Other potential problem foods include spicy foods, garlic and onions. The University of Maryland Medical Center also recommends decreasing your intake of refined, white flour foods, sugar-rich foods, red meat and foods with trans fats such as margarine, shortening, fried and fast food and any packaged good that lists hydrogenated oil as an ingredient. It also recommends increasing your intake of fish and non-animal proteins and foods rich in B-vitamins and calcium such as almonds, whole grains, leafy greens, beans and sea vegetables
Eating the Right Way
How you eat also carries importance, right along with what you eat. Mayoclinic.com recommends eating at least three hours before bedtime and eating smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large ones. Avoid bending, lying down or intense exercise right after eating; these things will interfere with the proper movement of food through the digestive tract.
