When somebody tells me they suffer from heartburn, I instantly want to review what they regularly eat. I also want to share with them all the natural remedies that help to improve their painful symptoms. But it doesn’t really matter if they continue to eat the foods that are causing the problem. Did you know that stress and anxiety are huge contributors to heartburn? Like so many other issues in our bodies, we need to manage our stress well to overcome it (more on that soon).
If you’ve ever been one to experience heartburn, then you know it’s uncomfortable, and there is no denying what that burning sensation is. Essentially, it’s just indigestion that leads to acid regurgitation in the esophagus. Hartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affect some 20% of Americans, but the good news is that with some lifestyle changes, it can be pretty easy to prevent. Some other symptoms of heartburn are pain floating from the stomach to the throat, feeling overly full, a bitter taste in your mouth, burping, and feeling nauseous. To be honest with you, most people react when they get heartburn, but it’s really important to be proactive. Over the years, heartburn can cause some pretty serious damage. So let’s talk about how to heal from this and not just endure it.
Generally, you can benefit from removing certain acidic foods from your diet, especially while you’re experiencing higher stress.
What not to eat for heartburn:
Fried foods: Think low-quality, refined oils. This is the number one thing to go with any health issues.
Processed foods: I’m talking about artificial colors and sweeteners, processed corn and soy products, and added flavors/preservatives.
Tomatoes: The acid in foods like tomatoes can sometimes lead to heartburn.
Coffee: The caffeine in coffee and other caffeinated products will likely flare up the stress response with heartburn.
Alcohol: In general, alcohol interacts differently with our stomach acids than food. It can be a huge trigger for heartburn.
These are five common things to avoid eating when you’re having heartburn flare-ups. That said, other culprits can be citrus fruits, garlic, onions, and spicy foods.
If you’re looking for at-home remedies, these are a few of my favorites:
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Add a tablespoon of ACV with 4 ounces of water in the morning and before meals.
Digestive Enzymes:
Include a full-spectrum digestive enzyme before meals to help break down the food better. This definitely helps if you’re already eating healthy. If not, clean up the diet before adding an enzyme; otherwise, you’re just wasting your money. The below supplements can help with digestion as well.
If you want to go one step further, try overhauling your diet with a good plan—like this one—and you’re likely to see huge results. In addition to whatever you choose, be sure to spend a minute or two in gratitude or prayer before each meal to practice stress management and help your body be in parasympathetic mode before eating. If you’re eating on the run or while moving, without any acknowledgment of what is in front of you, you’re likely eating in sympathetic mode.
Cara Clark is the owner and primary Certified Nutritionist of Cara Clark Nutrition. Cara works with individuals and groups to promote overall health and to manage a wide range of nutrition-related issues. With a ‘non-dieting’ approach, she has helped clients manage weight, energy, performance, diabetes, thyroid related disease, allergies, eating disorders, and more.
The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.
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