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Stomach Gas, Heartburn & Losing Weight

Jun 14, 2011 | By Jerry Shaw

A diet to avoid stomach gas and heartburn also helps you to lose weight, which in turn reduces digestive problems. Excess pounds contribute to gas and heartburn because of pressure on the abdomen that pushes on the stomach. Stomach gas causes indigestion, bloating and belching, which can lead to heartburn. Certain foods trigger gas and acid reflux that lead to the pain in the chest and throat from heartburn.

Sources

Foods that trigger heartburn may include fatty foods, spicy foods, garlic, tomatoes, tomato sauce, citrus fruits, coffee and alcohol. Some gassy foods that bring on stomach gas may also contribute to heartburn, according to Medical News Today. They include carbonated beverages, beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce as well as high-fat foods. Although citrus fruits play a role in heartburn, fruits such as apples, peaches and pears may contribute to gas and bloating, according to MayoClinic.com.

Cycle

Avoiding chewing gum, hard candy and smoking helps reduce gas and heartburn. Chewing food thoroughly and eating and drinking slowly gives you time to swallow less air. Swallowing excess air can cause gas, belching and heartburn. If you suffer from stomach gas, you may have frequent heartburn. Doctors usually advise over-the-counter antacids or prescription strength medicine to prevent gas and heartburn. Heartburn and gas may involve a cycle. When heartburn strikes, you may repeatedly clear your throat, which causes you to swallow more air and leads to more gas, bloating and belching.

Small Meals

Because fatty foods contribute to stomach gas and heartburn, eating smaller meals reduces the risk of both conditions. High-fat foods and heavy meals stay in the stomach longer. The stomach requires more acid secretion to digest large amounts of food. The stomach also becomes full and increases gas symptoms. Eating small, low-fat meals frequently throughout the day instead of three large meals reduces acid secretion and fullness. It not only decreases gas symptoms and heartburn, but also encourages weight loss.

Low-Fat Options

Choose lean meats, poultry without fatty skin and fish for good sources of protein without the fat. Cut all visible fat from meat before cooking. Broil or bake meat, poultry and fish, instead of frying, which can encourage gas and heartburn. Substitute low-fat or fat-free dairy foods for whole-milk dairy products. Eat low-fat snacks and desserts when you have an urge for sweets.

Whole Grains

Whole grains provide you with a feeling of fullness after eating, but avoid indigestion and heartburn because the high-fiber foods digest quickly and require less acid secretion. The foods also promote weight loss. Whole grains, low in fat, have various vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal, brown rice, wild rice and whole-wheat bread, cereal and pasta help prevent stomach gas and heartburn.

Fruit Remedies

Although avoiding certain fruits helps reduce heartburn and gas, bananas may have a natural antacid effect in the body to relieve heartburn, Health911 notes. Papaya eases indigestion and contains a digestive enzyme, papain, that may alleviate heartburn.

References

Article reviewed by V. Mac Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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