Meal ideas for Acid Reflux

VJsmum

I, too, have had dreadful acid reflux in recent times

I have cut out alcohol (mostly ), wheat and sugar and have found the symptoms have disappeared.

I have also done the 5:2 Intermittent fasting diet

All of that has meant that my whole system works better and, as a bonus, I have dropped a stone in weight.

bigmaz

freezspirit wrote: »

got to go out now but will write more later in the meantime thought this might be helpful, http://www.seriouseats.com/talk/2010/08/acid-reflux-preventing-foods.html?ref=search

Not sure about that list. According to that list, its saying to eat things like onion and garlic. Everywhere else says to avoid these. Also citris fruits.....

freezspirit

sorry Bigmaz, I copied and pasted wrong website this is the one I meant: http://www.health.com/health/condition-section/0,,20527841,00.html

menu ideas with recipes: http://heartburn.about.com/od/sampledailyweeklymenus/

Doctor at hospital said to try an Alkaline Diet : https://www.pinterest.com/energiseross/free-alkaline-diet-recipes/ I didn't really follow that but will give you some ideas.

Strangely my symptoms were reduced when I drank pineapple squash or ate tinned pineapple but intensified when I ate anything with ginger or drank mint tea. G.P was puzzled cause it should of been the other way. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=34

Small meals thru out the day instead of 3 meals worked better.

It appears different people have different food triggers. Do you keep a food diary and notice when (what I like to call "attacks" ((vomiting)) happen).

Another thing I did was to freeze apple juice into icelollies which cooled my throat after an attack. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15

terra_ferma

I was surprised to see such a definite list, as posters have said it depends on individual triggers.
The problem you face if you remove all foods at once is that you'll never know what your triggers are.
My doctor said it's hard to pinpoint what food triggers the symptoms.
The general advice is to remove one food or food group at the time, so that you can tell which one is causing the symptoms (unless your doctor advised you that you need to act quickly and not wait until you find your trigger, obviously).
You can also do the opposite, remove all suspects and reintroduce one at the time when you are able to, after your 8 weeks.

bigmaz

freezspirit wrote: »

sorry Bigmaz, I copied and pasted wrong website this is the one I meant: http://www.health.com/health/condition-section/0,,20527841,00.html

menu ideas with recipes: http://heartburn.about.com/od/sampledailyweeklymenus/

Doctor at hospital said to try an Alkaline Diet : https://www.pinterest.com/energiseross/free-alkaline-diet-recipes/ I didn't really follow that but will give you some ideas.

Strangely my symptoms were reduced when I drank pineapple squash or ate tinned pineapple but intensified when I ate anything with ginger or drank mint tea. G.P was puzzled cause it should of been the other way. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=34

Small meals thru out the day instead of 3 meals worked better.

It appears different people have different food triggers. Do you keep a food diary and notice when (what I like to call "attacks" ((vomiting)) happen).

Another thing I did was to freeze apple juice into icelollies which cooled my throat after an attack. http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15

These are some great links freezspirit, thank you

Wizzbang

Hi,

I have been reading this thread with interest. I have terrible digestive symptoms, have had for years now. I've never had them properly investigated- just been told it was IBS/ chronic gastritis. But I've forced my Dr to send me to a specialist. Appointment isn't until mid-Oct though.

When things initially kicked off I found giving up wheat resolved a lot of my symptoms. However the problem has just worsened and worsened over time. Now it seems that everything I eat gives me indigestion and stomach pain, even water!

I was on Lansoprazole for a couple of years, but after I heard that Radio 4 programme, I asked to come off it. That and it didn't really seem to be working. I tried Peppermint Gaviscon, Peppermint Gaviscon Double Action, Liquorice tablets and slippery elm capsules instead, but my life has just become miserable. I think I'd been off the tablets 4 months but I was just constantly nauseous and in discomfort. I also lost 1/2 stone, so my Dr has just put me on Omeprazole. I know the risks aren't nice, but I don't know what else to do.

I think I must be eating a lot of the wrong foods after reading this! I avoid spicy, citrus but tomatoes, onion and chocolate are also a huge part of my diet. Mine seems to get worse throughout the day, so the evening meal can be a nightmare and mean 5 hours of pain and distress until I feel I can lie-down (albeit propped up) and go to sleep.

I just don't know what I'd be left eating if I cut everything on the list out. I have discovered I am fairly OK with pretty bland fruits such as; cherries, melons and nectarines. Veg is fine, so long as it's not chillis, cucumbers or peppers. Even gluten-free bread products seem bad, maybe yeast is also a problem for me? Red meat is a no-no. I'm starting to think dairy is a trigger too, as yogurts and milk seem to set me off. Sometimes even oily fish repeats on me. Probably much as you are all feeling. Shall follow this thread with interest....

lessonlearned

Wizzbang

You cannot just quit the meds cold turkey because if you do the acid production just goes into overdrive. The rebound effect is awful

I was on 20mg Omeprazole per day. I went down to every other day for about a month. Then 10mg every other day. Then 5. Then I went to 3 days, then 4 and so on.

Even though I did it slowly there were bad days.

I used Raniditine 75mg when necessary. No prescription needed, and the original Gaviscon, the pink stuff which tastes of aniseed. You might find the peppermint one might be making matters worse.

Drink lots of water because it helps neutralise the acid. I also drank several cups of fennel tea with honey. Camomile tea is also soothing.

I also used probiotic drinks like actimel. Again 3 or 4 a day to start, gradually reducing.

Chew gum for a good 30 minutes if you feel nauseous or any burning sensations. It increases saliva production which helps neutralise acid.

As a last resort, 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in about 50 ml of water. Makes you burb but it really helps ease pain.

Food really is a case of trial and error. Also I find I can eat something one day with no problems. Another day I can eat the same thing and trigger an attack.

I have been drug free now about 6 months and have never felt better.

In the past a big trigger for me has been stress.

My husbNd died recently after a very long illness. the funeral was today.

I was nervous that I would Have problems and that I would have to go back on the meds. I've been fine, just the occasional ranitidine and the odd dose of bicarbonate is all I've needed.

I have a good dollop of Greek yoghurt and honey each day, no commercial breakfast cereals and I eat wheat sparingly. Diet wise that's about it now.

I had stomach problems most of my life. It's only now at the age of 63 that I'm comfortable and symptom free.

I'm afraid I got so disillusioned with all the conflicting advice from different doctors that in the end I just did it myself. I trawled through the internet for information And experimented until I got it right.

Obviously keep your appt with the specialist and take it from there. However if they draw a blank and you want to come off the meds then do it slowly.

I would also suggest you keep a food diary.

Try to "eat clean" avoiding processed foods. It will mean cooking completely from scratch, no packet sauces or sauces in jars.

I try to eat as near to the Paleo diet as possible, cooking from scratch with no processed foods. I add spices and herbs so that my food is not bland. I can add wine, beer or cider to casseroles with no ill effects.

I have a couple of triggers which I avoid at all costs, pineapple is the absolute worst. Wheat can be a problem.

I drink alcohol in moderation, I can eat cheese, chocolate, drink coffee etc.

If you can't manage dairy, I would suggest trying lactofree milk, soya milk, oat milk, or almond milk. I found all of those were fine. I used lactofree miLk in my tea and the other types to make smoothies or milkshakes.

I can now drink cows milk again but tend to stick with organic if I can because it seems easier to digest.

You can now get lactofree yoghurt and cheese.

I think you just have to experiment a bit and find out works best for you. There just doesn't seem to be a one size fits all solution or cure.

terra_ferma

Wizzbang wrote: »

Hi,

I have been reading this thread with interest. I have terrible digestive symptoms, have had for years now. I've never had them properly investigated- just been told it was IBS/ chronic gastritis. But I've forced my Dr to send me to a specialist. Appointment isn't until mid-Oct though.

When things initially kicked off I found giving up wheat resolved a lot of my symptoms. However the problem has just worsened and worsened over time. Now it seems that everything I eat gives me indigestion and stomach pain, even water!

I was on Lansoprazole for a couple of years, but after I heard that Radio 4 programme, I asked to come off it. That and it didn't really seem to be working. I tried Peppermint Gaviscon, Peppermint Gaviscon Double Action, Liquorice tablets and slippery elm capsules instead, but my life has just become miserable. I think I'd been off the tablets 4 months but I was just constantly nauseous and in discomfort. I also lost 1/2 stone, so my Dr has just put me on Omeprazole. I know the risks aren't nice, but I don't know what else to do.

I think I must be eating a lot of the wrong foods after reading this! I avoid spicy, citrus but tomatoes, onion and chocolate are also a huge part of my diet. Mine seems to get worse throughout the day, so the evening meal can be a nightmare and mean 5 hours of pain and distress until I feel I can lie-down (albeit propped up) and go to sleep.

I just don't know what I'd be left eating if I cut everything on the list out. I have discovered I am fairly OK with pretty bland fruits such as; cherries, melons and nectarines. Veg is fine, so long as it's not chillis, cucumbers or peppers. Even gluten-free bread products seem bad, maybe yeast is also a problem for me? Red meat is a no-no. I'm starting to think dairy is a trigger too, as yogurts and milk seem to set me off. Sometimes even oily fish repeats on me. Probably much as you are all feeling. Shall follow this thread with interest....

the CAFOD diet is recommended for IBS (it's an elimination diet), the trigger foods for IBS and acid reflux are different, which can make things a bit complicated for you. The only way to know what yours are is to do a strict elimination diet, if you remove one group at the time you may think it's safe because you still have the symptoms, while it's because you have several foods that are causing your problems. But it's hard to do on your own, hopefully the specialist you see will know about it and will help

Wizzbang

lessonlearned wrote: »

Wizzbang

You cannot just quit the meds cold turkey because if you do the acid production just goes into overdrive. The rebound effect is awful

In the past a big trigger for me has been stress.

My husbNd died recently after a very long illness. the funeral was today.

I was nervous that I would Have problems and that I would have to go back on the meds. I've been fine, just the occasional ranitidine and the odd dose of bicarbonate is all I've needed.

I have a good dollop of Greek yoghurt and honey each day, no commercial breakfast cereals and I eat wheat sparingly. Diet wise that's about it now.

I had stomach problems most of my life. It's only now at the age of 63 that I'm comfortable and symptom free.

I'm afraid I got so disillusioned with all the conflicting advice from different doctors that in the end I just did it myself. I trawled through the internet for information And experimented until I got it right.

Obviously keep your appt with the specialist and take it from there. However if they draw a blank and you want to come off the meds then do it slowly.

I would also suggest you keep a food diary.

Try to "eat clean" avoiding processed foods. It will mean cooking completely from scratch, no packet sauces or sauces in jars.

I didn't quit the meds cold turkey, I did it under my Drs instructions and gradually lowered the dose.

Sorry to hear about your husband. I think stress is a trigger for mine too, but as I now have symptoms all the time- I don't think it can be the only contributor. I also have other medical conditions and I think one of them might be responsible because I never had this trouble before I got that condition- they pretty much came on together.

I don't drink alcohol at all.

I have always cooked everything from scratch, but occasionally we do have a sauce from a jar because I can't always be at home cooking.

The up side of this omeprazole is constipation as a side-effect is bringing my IBS under control. Quite refreshing!

esmy

A number of my work colleagues and I did a (very) low carb diet for a while, so no bread,pasta,rice, no veg grown under the ground as opposed to above (so green leafy stuff was OK, carrots not) and no pastry cakes chocolate etc.. My acid reflux improved almost instantly, as did that of others who also suffered with indigestion type symptoms.

Like Lesson Learned I have found peppermint flavoured medicines make things worse and I'm a fan of bicarb in a little milk if needed, but avoiding carbs after lunch seems to work best for me.

I wish you all the best OP - it's a miserable thing to suffer from.