Foods to Prevent Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is frequent heartburn caused by the food and drinks we consume every day. If you experience heartburn more than two or three days a week then you may suffer from acid reflux disease. This occurs when acids come up from the stomach through the esophagus and cause excessive gas and, perhaps, sleeplessness at night. But there are ways to treat the condition. If you know how to change your diet and eat the right foods you might be able to prevent acid reflux disease altogether.

Primary Foods

Whole grains and proteins are the primary foods that prevent acid reflux disease and should comprise 20 to 30 percent of your daily food intake. Examples of great whole grain foods are brown rice, whole corn, quinoa, millet and oats. Protein-rich foods include animal proteins, tofu, tempeh and beans, though they should be eaten in moderation because they contain gas-producing carbohydrates.

Secondary Foods

Lightly cooked seasonal vegetables should make up 30 to 40 percent of your daily food intake. These include green, leafy vegetables, root vegetables and squashes. Lightly cooked vegetables and lacto-fermented vegetables, such as pickled beets and sauerkraut, are easier on the digestive system than raw vegetables.

Tertiary Foods

Tertiary foods include dairy products, eggs and fruits, which should comprise about 5 to 10 percent of your daily food intake. Fats and oils such as virgin olive and virgin coconut oils, as well as ghee, should make up 2 percent of your daily food intake.

Trace Minerals

Trace minerals are another kind of food that should be included in your diet and include nuts, seeds and sea vegetables. Not only are these perfect as a healthy snack, but they can be added to other foods and are high in omega-3 fatty acids. Sea vegetables such as kelp and wakame can be added to soup stocks, sprinkled on salads, and added to cooked grains.

Culinary Herbs

Culinary herbs can be a good remedy to supplement nutritional deficiencies that may have been caused by problems digesting food due to acid reflux. Add basil, anise, bay leaf, fennel, ginger and garlic to vegetables, meat dishes, soups and stocks.