Foods to Put Out Your Throat Fire

I’m a lover of spicy and acidic foods, but not acid reflux.

The burning sensation in your throat with an dis-tasting after taste is not pleasant. When the hiccups occur, the feeling of my heart rate increases.

The pain almost feels like a heart attack.

Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter, also known as LES, is weakened. The LES is responsible for preventing food in the stomach from shifting into the esophagus.

In plain terms, acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back in your esophagus, which is the tube between your throat and stomach. This is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD occurs when rapid heartburn, coughing, wheezing, chest pain and spitting. Frequent heartburn twice or more during a weekly basis is a sign of GERD.

According to American College of Gastroenterology, more than six million Americans suffer from acid indigestion.

This overall feeling can make you want to eat ice for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert for the rest of your life!

Luckily, we don’t have to sacrifice food for our throat and esophagus. Here’s a list of tasty foods that are healthy, beneficial and versatile for dishes.

Bananas

This low acid fruit is great for those busy mornings or a fast snack. Pectin found in bananas helps move stomach bits through your digestive system. Bananas can also strengthen your digestive system.

Enjoy this fruit knowing it coats your esophageal lining and aides in discomfort.

Pack bananas in your lunch or slice a banana over your favorite cereal. You can add bananas to your daily smoothie.

Melons

Melons are considered a highly alkaline fruit. Melons are high in magnesium. This non-citrus fruit is great fruit to enjoy as it is found in medicines for acid reflux.

Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are great additions to salads, chutneys and salsa.

Yogurt

Recently, yogurt has been on the rise!

This versatile treat adds choices to the dessert menu. Ranging from prebiotic to whipped, yogurt is a great alternative to soothe your acid reflux. Yogurt wards off discomfort. Prebiotic yogurt has bacteria that helps boost your immune system.

Whether you’re a love of traditional flavored yogurt or like the latest flavors, yogurt improves digestion while on the go.

Oatmeal

I love oatmeal! Whether you’re a lover of granola, cereal or traditional quick serve oats, oatmeal has many roles.

Fiber found in oatmeal is good for intestinal health. Oatmeal is mildly acidic and highly alkaline.

Ginger

I love Caribbean food like jerk chicken and callalloo, so using ginger is a given to ease my acid reflux discomfort.

Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties. This versatile spice is considered a natural remedy for heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems.

Ginger has many benefits beyond reducing acid reflux. You can learn more about how beneficial ginger is to your life and your spice cabinet here.

Stella Bistro Foods Caribbean Jerk Sultry Spice is great for beginners wanting to use ginger in food dishes. I love how YOU have the control on how much ginger you want to add to your dishes. One dash, if you want flavor. Several, if you want intense and savory.

Green Vegetables

Who doesn’t love green vegetables? I love cucumbers, broccoli, collard and turnip greens, brussel sprouts—you name it! I like baking and cooking with a blend of greens.

Little did I know, green vegetables are highly alkaline and good for stomach and digestive system. Green vegetables are naturally low in fat and sugar. These are great benefits because green vegetables help lessen stomach acid.

Approach your acid reflux with a different perspective!

Acid reflux occurs at unfortunate times, but you can prepare ahead.

Below are a few tips to lessen your acid reflux while you’re busy on the go!

Downsize portions to reduce acid indigestion.

Feeding the hunger pain is essential, but eating responsibly should be considered if you believe to suffer from acid reflux or GERD. Using a smaller serving dish is a great start.

For acid reflux ease at work, portion your lunch.

Eat your banana as a mid-morning snack. Enjoy your entree during lunch. Have your sweet or second snack as a mid afternoon snack.

Kick eating processed foods.

Kicking the yummy, high saturated fat late night snacks can be a struggle for anyone who loves food. However, eliminating processed foods like red pasta sauce or foods with high acidity can benefit. Kicking processed foods will not only reduce your acid reflux flares, but great for proper weight management.

Swap white rice for brown rice.

I love white rice just as much as the next person. I can understand how switching can be a challenge in the beginning. Brown rice is shorter than white rice, out is a great alternative.

Additionally, brown rice promotes healthy heart function.

Add a serving of whole grain to each meal.

No time to cut bananas or forget to add bananas to your grocery list? You can add wheat germ or ground flax seed to your meals to help reduce your acid reflux flares.

You can stir in ground flax seed and wheat germ to your mashed potatoes, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, yogurt, baked beans, to name a few.