Acid reflux is one of the most common problems faced by people in the country. Also known as heartburn, it occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This causes a burning sensation in the chest. If heartburn occurs more than twice a week, then it can be categorized as GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. If you are also suffering through this problem, then here are some lesser-known lifestyle tips for acid reflux that you can adopt:
- Eat smaller and more frequent meals
We recommend that you do not eat large meals when suffering from this condition. Large portions can put immense pressure on your stomach, increasing your chances of suffering from reflux. Hence, eating controlled portions at frequent intervals is definitely an easy lifestyle tip for acid reflux that you must adopt.
- Maintain the right posture
While this may seem like an unconventional lifestyle tip for acid reflux, it is definitely an effective one. All you need to do is maintain an upright posture during mealtimes. Continue this for about 45-60 minutes post your meal, too. Avoid undertaking actions that require you to bend. This may increase the chances of indigestion, resulting in acid flowing back into your food pipe. - The right clothing is important
You may wonder what an external piece of clothing has to do with an internal digestive process. However, the clothes you wear are crucial in facilitating digestion. Avoid wearing tight clothes, especially those that are extremely fitting and body-hugging around your abdominal area. This can hamper a smooth digestion process. We recommend you adopt this lifestyle tip for acid reflux and wear loose clothes made from comfortable materials, especially at home. - Keep fat away
While losing weight is a common lifestyle tip for acid reflux, we also recommend that you reduce fats in your diet in general. It is a known fact that fat can take quite a long time to get eliminated from your stomach and body. Therefore, we recommend that you reduce foods that are high in fat. Decrease the amount of oils, butter, salad dressings, gravy, and margarine, among other fatty food items, to limit the consumption of unhealthy fats. - Make a list of safe foods
When it comes to acid reflux, improving your diet is the most commonly recommended measure to avoid this problem. In milk and milk products, good foods that are considered safe include low fat and fat-free yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, reduced-fat milk, and soy milk. In the category of breads and cereals, you can eat low-fat plain bread, waffles, pancakes, corn tortillas, and muffins amongst others. Avoid whole milk food items and breads like croissants and doughnuts.
- Pick the right fruits and avoid the wrong ones
Fruit types that are considered safe for acid reflux are apples, bananas, melons, and pears. These fruits are alkaline in nature and soothe your stomach. You should avoid consuming fruits such as pineapples, grapefruits, limes, oranges, lemons, and tangerines. These fruits are acidic in nature and may worsen the condition.
