A natural diet works effectively to reduce acid reflux as long as you also avoid trigger foods. Fatty or fried foods, caffeinated drinks, chocolate, mints and other foods may aggravate acid reflux. Stomach acid backup after eating results in acid reflux, which causes the burning sensation in the chest and stomach, otherwise known as heartburn. You may also feel an acidic taste in the back of your mouth. Adding natural foods to your regular diet helps avoid acid reflux symptoms.
Reflux Function
Acid reflux occurs when an esophageal muscle does not close tightly, allowing stomach acid to rise up into the esophagus. Trigger foods relax the muscle to cause acid reflux. Heavy meals or fatty foods may lead to indigestion and excess stomach acid secretion to increase the risk of acid reflux. Natural foods help the esophageal muscle to work properly and prevent stomach acid buildup.
Natural Sweeteners
Add fruit as a side dish to your meals and in salads or incorporate them into desserts and snacks as a healthy alternative to fatty sweets. Fruit soothes the throat and digests rapidly to avoid acid buildup by overworking the stomach. Bananas, apples, peaches, pears, berries and melons prevent acid reflux, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Bananas may offer a natural antacid effect, though this has not been scientifically proven. Citrus fruits, however, contain acidic substances. Avoid them if they cause heartburn.
Vegetables
Use vegetables with meals and salads or as quick snacks to help combat acid reflux. Keep celery and carrots in the refrigerator to grab when hunger strikes. Vegetables, like fruit, contain high amounts of fiber for easy digestion. Enjoy baked potatoes, sweet corn, broccoli, turnip greens, peas, artichokes, lima beans and black beans for fiber, says MayoClinic.com. Do not consume fried vegetables or vegetables in creamy sauces or soups, as they may trigger heartburn. Consume them raw or steamed to benefit from the nutrients.
Grain Protection
Fiber-rich whole grains also aid in digestion, giving you a full feeling to avoid overeating that may lead to indigestion and acid reflux. In addition, whole grains may help heal the esophagus. Frequent acid reflux can damage the lining of esophagus over time. The selenium in whole grains may protect the esophagus from cell damage, according to HealthCentral. Make whole-wheat or multigrain bread, whole-grain cereal, whole-wheat pasta, oatmeal and oat bran a part of your regular diet.
Snacks and Drinks
Aside from fruits and vegetables, try eating nuts and seeds for snacks throughout the day to satisfy your appetite in between meals. Almonds, pecans, pistachio nuts and sunflower seeds have high amounts of fiber. Brazil nuts and walnuts contain selenium. If you still have an urge for unnatural sweets, stick to low-fat or fat-free snacks. Replace chocolate with nonfat candies. Substitute fresh fruit juices, except citrus, decaffeinated herbal teas, skim milk or water for reflux-inducing coffee, tea and carbonated beverages.
