Using Foods to Help Your Heartburn

Heartburn is a condition that affects many people on a regular basis, and anyone who's ever had a bout of it knows how painful and irritating it can be. Given that most people only get it once in awhile, it's not dangerous. But for those who have it chronically (including those with GERD or women who are pregnant), it can be a dreaded daily happening. Food is a huge part of heartburn, since a lot of different foods cause it. But there are some foods that actually help fight and prevent it. Here is a list of foods that help heartburn.

Dairy
Got dairy? It seems that small amounts of dairy can help absorb some of the stomach acid responsible for causing heartburn. Milk especially helps coat the stomach and absorb some of the acid.

Non-citrus juice
Non-citrus juices like apple juice and grape juice can be refreshing while also giving a cooling effect in your throat.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a commonly suggested food for those who suffer from heartburn frequently. It's thought that because oatmeal is low in fat, but high in fiber, it's a great food that helps heartburn. It can also give you that feeling of fullness without being overwhelmed.

Green Vegetables
Green veggies like broccoli, kale, spinach, and Brussels sprouts can also help aid in digestion and reduce the feeling of heartburn.

Non-citrus fruits
Non-citrus fruits are great for helping with heartburn, since they can contain a good amount of fiber, which is thought to absorb stomach acids and help heartburn. But be very careful about picking citrus fruits accidentally, since they can really end up hurting you as far as heartburn goes. Some good, safe choices are apples, berries, grapes, prunes, peaches, and bananas. Bananas especially have a good reputation for fighting stomach acid.

Beans
Besides just being good for you overall, beans are an excellent source for helping heartburn. They're high in fiber, which absorbs stomach acids, and high in protein, which also helps to absorb those acids. Also, beans are a great alternative to meat - you could easily substitute them into any meat-filled recipe and still get great taste while helping your heartburn.

Pasta
You may think it's nuts, because pasta and red sauces are key inducers of heartburn, but not if you know how to prepare it for yourself. If you're feeling the craving for pasta, make sure it's whole wheat pasta (since this contains a higher amount of fiber, which helps heartburn). Also stick to light, broth-like sauces, while avoiding thick or red sauces. If you keep your sauces light (like olive oil or chicken broth), and you don't overindulge, you can enjoy still pasta.

Tea
Sticking to decaffeinated herbal tea is not only good for your body, but will also help heartburn. But be careful, as caffeine can help kick start heartburn, so make sure it's decaf you're reaching for.

Ginger
There's a good reason Chinese medicine likes to use ginger for a lot of ailments. In small doses, ginger helps with both heartburn and stomach queasiness. It's a great addition to a decaffeinated tea!

Applesauce
Applesauce is an amazing food. You could eat this alone or use it as a substitution for oil in any of your recipes. In fact, you'll find that many chefs like using this substitute, as it adds a lot of health benefits (reduces fat content, adds fiber, helps heartburn, etc.).

Gum
Chewing a sugarless gum after eating any meal can help to prevent and help heartburn. The reason is that chewing helps you produce saliva, and saliva helps neutralize acid. Also, chewing gum helps keep your mouth busy, which may help to prevent you for going for seconds or thirds, which is also good for preventing heartburn.

Water
It goes without saying that water is good for the body no matter what anyway. But when it comes to heartburn, increasing your fiber intake (which is good for heartburn) can also increase pressure in the colon (which is bad for heartburn). Drinking plenty of water helps your body to keep things running smoothly, and helps to breakdown the extra fiber without any issues.

Antacids
If all else fails, classic antacids like Tums or Rolaids can always help. But if you find you are taking these nonstop and it still doesn't help the issue, you should absolutely see your doctor to get a look at the root cause of your heartburn.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306843_1,00.html