When you suffer from heartburn, it may feel like the inside of your abdomen is on fire, but the root of the problem is in the esophagus, the tube that connects your throat and stomach. When stomach acid irritates the esophagus, it produces a burning sensation. Other symptoms may include chest pain and cough.
Since stomach acid is the cause of irritation, help combat it by eating foods with less acid. One way to determine acidity is to look at the pH level of foods. The lower the pH, the more acidic the food will be. For example, lemons and limes have a low pH. Look for foods with an average pH of five or higher.
1. Oatmeal and oatmeal
Oats have a neutral pH, meaning they fall in the middle of the scale. It also contains fiber and can absorb acid in the stomach, reducing its reflux into the esophagus.
2. Whole wheat bread
Like oats, whole grains have a neutral pH and should not upset your stomach. When purchasing bread to combat heartburn, make sure it is whole wheat, not whole wheat. Whole grain means the grain has not been processed, which helps treat acid reflux.
3. Potatoes
Tubers have a low level of acidity, except for onions. Try baked potatoes or simple baked potatoes along with grilled fish.
4. fish
Fish has low acidity and can combat heartburn, but only if prepared in a certain way. Boiled, baked and grilled fish are good; Not fried fish. Keep seafood away from fatty oils and avoid thick sauces.
5. Broccoli and green beans
Most vegetables are low in acid, such as broccoli, green beans, cauliflower, squash, and asparagus. Those that are not low usually have a neutral pH. Fruit, on the other hand, tends to decrease at higher levels, so limit your fruit consumption if you are prone to heartburn.
6. egg whites
Egg whites do not contain as much fat as yolks. The fat in the yolk can cause acid reflux. An omelet with egg whites can be just as filling as one made with yolk, especially when combined with all the low-acid vegetables you want.
7. Bananas and apples
Not all fruits increase stomach acid. Non-acidic fruits such as bananas, apples, watermelons, and pears contain less natural acid. Add sliced fruit to your morning oatmeal for extra nutrients and fill your stomach without heartburn.
8. ginger
In other countries, ginger has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time, and with good reason. The spice appears to help reduce the effects of heartburn and is a natural anti-inflammatory. Add ginger to your juice or drink high-quality ginger tea. Look for real ginger in the ingredients.
9. Lean meat without skin
The word “lean” is key to avoiding heartburn when eating meat. Lean, skinless meat does not contain fats that can irritate the stomach. It is important to avoid frying meat in heavy oil. Grill, bake, broil, or steam the meat and then add it to the stir-fry.
