6 Foods Good for Acid Reflux - Help in Relieving Chronic Diseases

I have gastroesophageal reflux disease. Those who have experienced reflux esophagitis know that symptoms may seem okay at times, but then pain and discomfort can become severe, and then improve again. It seems to be one of the diseases that you end up living with chronically. Reflux esophagitis does not heal quickly and symptoms can persist for a long time, and it often recurs after temporarily improving. Therefore, rather than relying solely on medication, consistent and ongoing self-management is very important.

 

What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

Simply put, esophageal inflammation!!

There are various discomforts and pains related to inflammation of the esophagus caused by the contents of the stomach or stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus.

 

October 2023 Health Checkup

 

October 2022 health check-up: reflux esophagitis!!

I was diagnosed with superficial gastritis (inflammation only of the stomach lining, the mildest form of reflux esophagitis) during the 2023 health check-up.

 

The reflux esophagitis symptoms I have!!

When eating or swallowing food, water, or anything, I feel like there's something in my throat, like something is stuck!! The sensation of foreign body is the worst. Due to inflammation of the esophagus, I feel a foreign body sensation in my throat.. It's very uncomfortable. It feels like food is stuck somewhere in the middle? Like something is caught in my throat, so when I swallow saliva or drink water, the discomfort is felt much more than pain.

Heartburn, indigestion, feeling of indigestion and reflux. I experienced symptoms of chest burning.

Burping with a sour taste due to stomach acid reflux. I burp frequently.

And the pain when swallowing food, this part is caused by irritation of the inflamed area as food passes through the esophagus, but fortunately I don't experience much pain when swallowing food. I don't have significant pain when swallowing food, but sometimes after eating, I feel that acid reflux irritates the esophagus, causing a feeling of chest tightness, burning sensation in the chest area, or a stinging or hot feeling.

 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is said to be a symptom that often appears due to eating habits and lifestyle habits in daily life.

Lying down immediately after eating, binge eating, overeating, alcohol, coffee, alcohol beverages, wheat-based foods, greasy foods, spicy foods, and stress are said to be causes of reflux esophagitis.

I think I developed reflux esophagitis due to my overeating lifestyle here.

The doctor asked if I eat a lot and said my stomach is enlargedㅜㅜ and told me to reduce my food intake.

I don't usually drink coffee or alcohol, but I really enjoy eating and tend to overeat.

 

I have taken all the medication prescribed at the hospital, but I didn't take any pictures of it separately.

I took medications such as Almagel, Gelusil M, and Gaviscon from the pharmacy for acid reflux.

 

When I was young, I could eat a lot because I digested well... these days, my digestion has definitely weakened a lot.

Eating a lot definitely makes digestion less efficient, causes chest tightness, and leads to a lot of burping.

So, I always keep antacids at home like this. I take Trisac, WeAngel, and Gas Hwal Myeong Su.

Even if I don't eat much, if I have reflux esophagitis, I feel chest tightness, indigestion, and sometimes difficulty digesting, so when I feel very uncomfortable and stuffy, I take a digestive medicine. Then I feel much lighter.

 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is most important to manage by maintaining good lifestyle and eating habits.

Do not lie down immediately after meals. Do not lie down within 2-3 hours.

Habit of avoiding greasy foods, coffee, and carbonated drinks through proper eating habits, and eating small portions frequently

Maintaining an appropriate weight: If you are obese, weight loss is necessary.

 

Let's learn about six foods that help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux.

These are the eating habits I frequently follow and practice.

 

 

Oatmeal: Rich in dietary fiber and low in fat, it helps prevent an increase in stomach acid.

I often eat oatmeal rice instead of carbohydrates. Especially for dinner, I frequently make rice with oatmeal.

 

 

Potatoes: Potatoes are alkaline foods that contain a small amount of alkaloids, which help reduce stomach acid and soothe the stomach.

I usually eat potatoes boiled, stir-fried, or braised.

 

 

Pumpkin: Pumpkin is rich in potassium and vitamin C and has a low fat content. It is a food that regulates stomach acid and promotes digestion.

Pumpkin is often used in soybean paste soup and bulgogi hot pot, and pumpkin pancakes are also frequently made with just eggs.

 

Moo: Moo has high alkalinity, low calories, and low fat content, which helps neutralize stomach acid and aids digestion.

I mainly made pickled radish, shredded radish side dishes, and fresh radish salad. (There are no photos.)

 

 

Cabbage: The most famous food, right? It has a strong alkalinity and is rich in dietary fiber, which neutralizes stomach acid and aids digestion. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components that help alleviate symptoms of reflux esophagitis.

I often use cabbage when making seasoned dishes. You can also easily buy cabbage juice at the store^^

 

 

Banana: Rich in dietary fiber and potassium, it has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH that neutralizes stomach acid. It contains pectin, which has low acidity and protects the stomach, helping to alleviate symptoms of reflux esophagitis.

 

 

Melon: A high-water-content alkaline food that neutralizes stomach acid and aids digestion. Additionally, melon contains anti-inflammatory components that help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux esophagitis.

 

 

So I always try to maintain healthy lifestyle habits, but I still struggle with my eating habits. I still like meat and eat it frequently, but I try to avoid overeating. I also make an effort to eat foods that help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux.

Those who have experienced acid reflux know how uncomfortable it really is.

Just eating makes me feel like my stomach is burning and I have a hot sensation, along with a frustrating feeling of indigestion. I also burp frequently, and especially when I'm outside and going about my daily life, burping can seem impolite and make people around me uncomfortable. However, with reflux esophagitis, I can't control when I burp; it happens naturally. It's very uncomfortable, and even when I have meal appointments outside, I feel uneasy and can't relax.

My speed is not comfortable, and I have to be tense and careful because I worry about making mistakes, which makes daily life very inconvenient. Also, rather than just feeling uncomfortable for a short time, I constantly feel a sense of fullness and a foreign body sensation in my throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) does not heal quickly and often persists for a long time, and even if symptoms improve temporarily, they tend to recur frequently. Therefore, consistent and ongoing management is very important.

I have been consistently eating and managing foods that help with acid reflux, and as a result, my acid reflux symptoms have definitely improved.

No matter how good the food is, if I just eat it thinking only about health, I tend not to eat it well. Instead of eating that food alone as a single dish, I incorporate it into my daily life as a side dish, so I end up eating it more often and enjoying it more^^

Currently, I occasionally experience symptoms of belching and a foreign body sensation in my throat, but the symptoms of heartburn, chest tightness, discomfort, or pain have significantly improved. Although not completely cured, my condition has greatly improved from reflux esophagitis in 2022 to superficial gastritis in 2023 (inflammation limited to the gastric mucosa, mild reflux esophagitis), and the discomfort has lessened. Going to the hospital when uncomfortable or in pain is appropriate, but if I manage within my limits and consistently practice self-care, I believe the previously bad symptoms and my health overall are definitely improving.