This post is from another blog of mine that I thought i'd share on this one, as this is more the niche it belongs in. Over the years I have learned a lot about acid reflux and how to deal with it naturally by changing your eating habits.
Do you have GERD? Then you need to read this! I have been battling with GERD aka Acid reflux on and off for years, and now surprisingly (which shouldn't be so surprising) after slacking on my healthy eating, it has graduated to Silent Reflux. This is where it affects your larynx, without as many symptoms or they are confusing ones. This is not to be confused with heart burn. It is far worse. It doesn't burn, but it's still doing damage. It's just not letting you know. Often times this is happening to you, but there is no sign or very few or a LOT of symptom, such as chronic cough, hoarse throat, postnasal drip and the feeling of a lump in the throat. These are TOO often confused with allergies or even asthma. for years I was told I had non-allergic rhinitis!! I had all of the symptoms and it greatly dissipated when I began eating non acidic foods and healthier in general, whilst losing weight. Now, it is back with a vengeance because I decided to get lazy, or lets be honest, I just ate like 99% of the population. I can't do that. My body is very sensitive and honestly, I am thankful that it is. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have the warning signs.
If you are someone that suffers with this, know that there is a cure aside from medicines. Those are great for short term, but the importance lies in keeping away from all acidic contents, certain fruits and veggies and all caffeine and carbonated beverages. Even club soda, as it serves as a kind of hot air balloon by latching onto the bad acid into your esophagus and Larynx, where it eats away at it. Literally.
Acid is a huge epidemic in our packaged food ridden life. It was introduced into everything to kill the bacteria that causes food poisoning. This happened in the 70's when there was a huge outbreak of it. Unfortunately it kills poisons while slowly killing us. The percentage of people with acid reflux has skyrocketed in the last few decades after the introduction of extra acids. There is solid proof of this. If you suffer from acid reflux, stay away from all packaged foods whenever possible. Acid is your arch nemesis. Alkaline is your best friend. This has the ability and often does turn into cancer down the line.
To find out specific details on this deadly disease, watch this episode of Dr. Oz. It will explain everything. If it weren't for this show, I would have never stumbled across this information in my google searching. TONS of people suffer from the same symptoms and always leave the doctor bewildered. I urge you to please consider this. Watch all the parts! They go to a mall and test random people and you will be floored by their findings!
Print out the following and bring it with you to the grocery store.
What you need to avoid for a month or more, depending on the severity.
You can slowly reintroduce these things in moderation, but not for a long while. You need to calm down your system and bring it back to a normal PH:
- Caffeine of any kind
- Mint
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Club Soda
- High fat foods
- Lots of oils
- Fried foods
- Citrus acid and any citrus derivatives in packaged and canned foods. READ LABELS. Avoid ANY acid. Vitamin C fortified means it's got more acid.
- This isn't a full list, but you get the gist. Avoid all citrus fruits, acid, alcohol, caffeine and anything you are unsure of, just look up its PH level. It needs to be alkaline on the scale.
What you can eat:
Fortunately, the Grocery Shopping List for allowable foods is a lot longer. Note: Sometimes cheese and dairy can cause the same symptoms, so if taking away the acids in your diet doesn't work, try eliminating all dairy. Though this usually does the trick.
Apple- juice, dried or fresh
Banana
Pears
Potato
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Corn
Beans
Lentils
Mushrooms
Parsnips
Peas
Spinach
Kale- Any green vegetables are safe!
Squash
Green beans
Brown Rice
Multi-grain or whole wheat bread
Bran Cereal
Oatmeal
Corn Bread
Graham Crackers
Pretzels
Rice cakes
Feta cheese
Goat cheese
Fat-free cream cheese
Fat-free sour cream
Low-fat soy cheese
Skim milk
Egg substitute
Egg whites
Skinless chicken breast
Extra lean steak
Extra lean ground beef
Salmon
Fish – no added fat- Do not fry your meat! Broil, bake or steam only.
Ginger
Manuka Honey
Basil
Cilantro
Chamomile tea
ALSO
- Avoid eating too close to bedtime. Try to leave at least 2-3 hours after a meal, before you go to bed.
- Avoid lying down after meals.
- Eat small regular meals. Overeating is a big cause of it.
- Do not wear tight clothing that may increase the pressure on your stomach.
- Raise the head of your bed by 4-6 inches may help reduce night-time acid reflux.
Follow the GERD Diet to a T and you will feel better in as little as a week!
Good Luck and Health be with you!