What to Eat for Acid Indigestion

Acid indigestion is also known as heartburn or pyrosis, and is defined as a condition where there is serious burning in the chest area, behind the breast bone, which later travels to the neck, throat and the jaw. This condition is a major symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when there is back-flow of the gastric acid, also known as the gastric reflux. However, acid indigestion occurs due to many causes like overeating, excess spicy food, irregular food habits, sleeplessness, alcohol and smoking habits. There is excess production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, because of which there is chest pain, heartburns, flatulence and other appetite problems that are observed. Thus, if you are suffering from acid indigestion, it is important to regulate your diet and eat only those foods which don't lead to acid production. Thus, find out what to eat for acid indigestion, from the following paragraphs.

Foods to Eat to Cure Acid Indigestion

As mentioned above, there are various causes of acid indigestion like eating habits, drinking and smoking, lifestyles, diseases like ulcers and those affecting digestive tract. Due to all these reasons, there are a few common acid indigestion symptoms which are observed such as, chest pain, flatulence and loss of appetite. Since, acid indigestion is caused majorly because of the wrong diet, the first remedy for correction can be improving your diet and consuming healthy foods which don't cause indigestion. Thus, if you are wondering what to eat for acid indigestion, you can find an answer in the paragraphs below!

Vegetarian Foods

• There are many types of fruits and vegetables which can help reduce the levels of hydrochloric acid produced in the stomach, thus reducing stomach acid reflux. However, prefer fresh items, as stale fruits and vegetables have acids produced in them as well, which might be harmful.
• Other than tomatoes and tomato preparations, which consist of oils and cream, any vegetables are safe to be consumed. These vegetables can be fresh, frozen, canned, or cooked. Greens and colored vegetables are best for consumption as they provide energy. Many of these are used as acid indigestion remedies as well.
• On the other hand, citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, and pineapples, lemons, etc. should be strictly avoided as they are acidic in nature. Bananas, berries, apples, melons, plums and peaches can be included in the list of what to eat for acid indigestion. Most of them have antacid effects and so subside the acid indigestion.
• Grains are also a great choice of foods that can relieve indigestion problems. Whole wheat foods are rich in fiber, and minerals like magnesium and potassium, thus you can eat preparations of whole wheat like pastas, breads, etc. Oats, brown rice, barley, and other non-refined grains are filling and keep you away from acid indigestion.

Non-Vegetarian Foods

• There are a number of non-vegetarian sources, that can be considered as foods to eat with acid indigestion and are considered safe. These are low-fat meats like chicken and turkey. These are not fatty foods and thus, they do not trigger the reflux, but red meat like beef, lamb, pork, etc., may do.
• Fish and other sea food is an excellent replacement for red meat, as it has a lot of additional benefits, and can be used in indigestion relief. It consists of omega-3 fatty acids which are very healthy and they prevent heart diseases.
• Among the dairy foods, it is recommended that one should consume only low-fat dairy products. These are skim milk, fat free yogurt, and other such dairy preparations. The dairy foods like milkshakes, sour cream and ice creams that are prepared using whole milk or whole cream, should definitely be avoided.
• Overeating of high fat butter and its preparations like cookies, potato chips, donuts, etc. can also be one of the acid indigestion causes and should also be avoided as they are acidic in nature and trigger the reflux. Avoiding tea and caffeinated products is sensible in case of acid indigestion.

With this long list of what to eat for acid indigestion, hope you have found out the cause of your indigestion! Well, make sure you follow a regulated diet when you are suffering from an acid indigestion as eating the wrong food can lead to a lot of discomfort.