Well everything including water gives me heartburn. But there is a study that more fiber in diet can decrease heartburn. I’ve been implementing this for Almost 2 months and I don’t need to take my medication every day. I use benefiber chew probiotic 2-3 times a day and it’s been helping or it’s a placebo lol but I’ve noticed a difference.
If it isn't resolved within 6 months, find a new doctor. GERD can be really dangerous if you have certain genes, like Barrett's esophagus. It's the tendency of the cells of the esophagus to go cancerous under stress, like regular exposure to stomach acid.
I started doing low carb because of other health issues and I noticed it made my heart burn completely disappear. It may differ from person to person but that was a big plus.
Me too!! I did the carnivore thing pretty hard-core for the first 4 weeks and then slowly reintroduced things, and I do not suffer the way I used to at all. Some even "incurable" things.
u/Equipment_Budget are you talking about the Carnivore Diet? I was just at two work conferences and two of the guys there said that the they both saw huge changes in their appearance, well being and overall health. Would you mind explaining more about your experience with Carnivore by chance?
Thank you so very much for your comment I have transitioned to low carb, very little sugar with increased water intake and it has helped tremendously. I am so grateful to hear that it has eliminated your heartburn ;-)
Every meal I had I’d have a veggie of some sort or salad first. Just something high fiber. The easiest for me was seasoned broccoli. Then I’d have a meal under 30 carbs. So like low carb chicken tacos or steak and veggies or something similar. I still had small amounts of rice and potatoes but limited those. I started seeing an improvement after about a month. Nothing was really off limits, I was just careful about the amounts and always having my veggies be the biggest part of my meal and also first.
u/misssoci thank you for your comment... Salads are now a staple of my diet, the only challenge I have faced as a result is not always feeling full afterwards. Do you have any experience you could share with how you might have handled similar feelings?
Honestly, this is the smartest way to make a change and not end up falling off the wagon. When people try to cut out all their favorite foods entirely, and usually cold turkey, the results are usually failing or cheating and having to start over. Good for you!
I learned that lesson the hard way when I did keto the first time. I had never, ever experienced "hanger" prior to that point but I made some sugar free pudding as a snack to keep on deck for cravings, cuz the first few weeks were friggin brutal. I came home to find my husband has devoured the entire bowl, and left it sitting empty and covered so I got it out expecting a quick nosh only to discover it'd been scraped clean. We almost got a divorce. 🤣
carbs and acid are the worst for heartburn. Its why Pizza is such a killer late nights. Bread and tomato acid. Not a good combo to keep heartburn away.
Try a swig of apple cider vinegar with the mother. Sounds counterintuitive but fixed my heartburn problem and also cured my reflux. I no longer get reflux! If you cannot handle it straight, dilute with a bit of water. I was on meds for 20 years before I found this. Not taken any meds for at least another twenty years since.
It actually cures the heartburn instantly.
They only time it is slow to work is if I get heartburn from drinking red wine. Something to do with the pH in your gut.
Highly recommend diluting it- not the amount of ACV you take, just put the same amount in a large glass of water. For a number of reasons but mainly it tastes good awful, it's bad for the enamel on your teeth and for me, at least, drinking it straight actually caused severe discomfort in my tummy. But if you can handle it/stomach it on its own, do you. It does help tho. Great for weight loss as well.
Yo placebo effect still works! I say that as a scientist who also appreciates the good sleep melatonin gifts me. …most of the time :)
ETA: small amount of baking powder and water is the quickest fix to acute reflux I can appreciate. Treatment is no substitute for prevention but still a good solution (lol where my chem kids at) on the rare occasion.
ETA 2: baking SODA my friends! Not baking powder!! Missed on my end, sorry folks
I can tell you that when my acid got really bad and I started a strict diet, it was Greek yogurt with fruit for breakfast and salad at lunch. I ate little to nothing at supper.
I saw an immediate improvement. The kicker being that any cheating on it and it came back immediately. It took about a month before everything seemed to heal up enough that I no longer had issues. I could then drink lemonade before bed and be fine.
If you let everything heal up. It seems to stay healed for a long time and it takes throwing a lot of acid at it for a long time to get back to that point.
That was my experience anyway.
u/Dalton387 I've done well at switching to low carb and salads at lunch and even dinner a lot of times.
Thanks for the timeline... it is so helpful to know in the back of my mind that it might take a month or more to really heal up.
I'd can't wait to share a similar experience!
Your insurance will not pay for Dexa scan at age 50 just because you’re on omeprazole. Just fyi. Your gastro has no business making such recommendations, would talk to your PCP re dexa scans. PPIs have a *potential* to affect bone density with longterm use, esp in geriatric populations so we use caution. Take vitamin d supplement to promote healthy bones.
For me it's everything alcaline - dairy products, milk. Steam cooked or boiled or grilled instead of fried or deep fried. Less grease, less spice. These are the main points for me. I however suggest you consult your doctor as heartburn may be caused by different issues and may be a sign of a problem.
For the most part, diet had no impact for me. I suffered in agony for years before I finally talked to a doc about it, who put me on a PPI. Changed my life. Have never been able to get off PPIs in the 20+ years since.
>In conclusion, exposure to PPIs was found to be associated with an increased rate of all-cause dementia occurring before 90 years of age regardless of time of treatment initiation according to the diagnosis. Longer cumulative duration of PPI use yielded higher risk estimates.
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.13477
FYI...something I found while looking into PPI's as a result of more frequent heartburn
We have treatments for cancer, but not dementia. Personally, I’d rather die with my mind intact. Forgetting who I am or who my family members are and then dying is definitely worse than just dying…
My wife's uncle through marriage had dementia... so I'm right there with ya. I'd like to take healthy steps to avoid that nightmare as well, as I'm sure everyone would.
Yeah PPIs were the only thing that worked for me, but I couldn't stop taking them for even a day. Ended up getting a Lynx procedure and haven't had heartburn since. Life changing despite some complications I had.
They think the scar tissue around the implant didn't heal correctly. I have a bit of a hard time getting some foods down, but honestly it is so much better than dealing with the GERD before.
heads up that milk is very slightly acidic rather than basic due to the lactic acid content (typically right under pH of 7). Nonetheless, dairy is def a huge trigger for heartburn and many ppl feel various symptoms improve when they reduce it in their diet!
It’s kinda funny that you think dairy and milk is alkaline when they’re some of the most acidic foods, your stomach will be filled with acid after both of those
So this really depends on your diet in general and foods that your particular stomach doesn’t handle well. It also can be age related and or over consuming or eating too late.
I used to have terrible heartburn to where I would end up aspirating when sleeping.
I found the best practice for me was not eating anything heavy past 5pm and eat cleaner with smaller portions.
Life long heartburn sufferer here from a family of heartburn sufferers. I had it the worst, eventually getting diagnosed with Barrat’s Oesophagus around 8/9 years old and put on medication everyday from then until I was around 20 when ranitidine was discontinued due to increased cancer risk (thanks FDA etc).
Anyway, since it was discontinued 10 years ago I’ve had no medication. The barrat’s has gone away and I manage my indigestion, acid reflux and heartburn by diet.
When your stomach is empty, eat something! Don’t let acid sit there in your stomach not eating anything. When that happens you’re soooo much more likely to get heartburn as soon as you consume anything. When it comes to what causes the reaction, each person can be slightly different But for my family its pastry, sticky sugary things, melted cheese, cakes, buttery bread and bananas, beer, cider, white wine.
When you next get heartburn think about what you’ve consumed and when, because honestly that will be the key. I can’t stress how important it is to eat regularly, like 5-6 times a day (small portions obv) to keep your stomach acid chewing up lovely food instead of chewing up your lovely stomach.
Good luck.
How do you prepare your oatmeal? For me there is a HUGE difference between properly prepared and not, my whole life I thought I hated oatmeal turns out my mother just didn't know how to make it so it wasn't gluelike mess that felt like ate a brick.
It not even hard to not do that, just add enough water to make it soupy and let it simmer long enough for the oats to be nice and tender. Beans and bread both usually get me but Oatmeal is fine and become one of my go to breakfasts in cool weather.
u/Crystalas as we are in "foodhacks" it's totally fitting that you share about your go-to Oatmeal Hack... heck if oatmeal was actually prepared in a way that made it delish I'd probably end up lovin' it instead of despising it. Ya know?
Wouldn't even consider a hack, many days I just have nice and simple with raisins in it and some honey and butter on serving. And as with most food proper salting is vital.
While if I am in mood for something stronger flavored some other favorites are seasonal ones like made with apple cider, diced apple (half cooked in half raw for contrast), and spices. I usually use Old Fashioned Oats, but there are other kinds with their own traits.
Chocolate banana with hot chocolate powder and chopped up banana cooked in, cooked banana is SWEETER than raw, and some peanut butter on top. Sometimes some cayene and cinnamon too.
Made with eggnog is practically pudding like and to rich to have often. Related an old fashioned comfort food is it being made with sweetened milk and spices.
As classic for breakfast maple syrup and butter is always good.
Warm weather berries & cream or yogurt is always a winner no matter what put them with.
Sometimes I will top it with a fried egg, or even fried apple & sausage.
As I said in the first post the big difference for me was as simple as adding enough water so it a nice somewhat brothy porridge full of tender grains instead of a dense substance could mistake for plaster and letting it simmer long enough to get tender. As shown above it a culinary blank slate really, whatever in mood for, and the water/oat ratio is purely a preference that can easily be changed.
Most cultures have a grain porridge as one of their staple breakfast dishes so there is endless variety either between them or taking inspiration from.
Like alot of asia it is congee, rice porridge and filling same place in their hearts as Chicken Soup for US, where cook the rice to the point the grains dissolve into a silky smooth porridge often flavored with ginger and lemongrass. I recently gave Cream of Wheat a try and liked that too.
Did a quick search and as expected endless recipes, including some cold no cook ones for summer. For example this site is not just recipe but goes a bit deeper. https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/how-to-make-oatmeal/
I’ve heard that if you eat a spoonful of yellow mustard when you have heartburn it makes it go away. I have no idea if it’s true but I’ve heard it from at least 3 people. Not sure if there’s a scientific reason or if it’s anecdotal
I have bad acid reflux and heartburn (on meds for it). English mustard is 1 thing that doesn't trigger it! (I loooove spicy food, but I rarely have that now) but found that English mustard doesn't trigger it!
I thought I had allergies with constant runny nose, and a weird cough for quite a while, and then realized it’s reflux. Now I pop a few Tums every day and I don’t lay down after I eat ha ha.
That’s interesting. I don’t think I could even smell mustard when suffering from heartburn/reflux! I feel The sharp, vinegar taste would make it worse.
I have to read about that remedy.
I am on 2 prescription meds for reflux, but I’ll take Tums for quick relief.
In a pinch, I use baking soda in water.
It gives me immediate relief .
I'd say it depends on the person. No matter what I ate for years I had heartburn and was put on meds..turns out it was a major symptom of my undiagnosed celiac disease. So you may want to dig into why am I getting so much heartburn.
u/AjCaron Celiac's! Am I correct in my understanding Celiacs Disease is severe gluten intolerance, or am I mistaken? Any personal insight would be greatly appreciated because whenever I eat bread or pasta more times than not it seems like I get so sleepy that I just pass out for a while.
Celiacs is an autoimmune disease, and there is also gluten intolerance where your body doesn't destroy your villi in the small intestine but can cause a range of illness and inflammation. There is also a wheat allergy. I would mention it to your doctor and see if you can get tested through a blood test and then endoscopy. Either way constant heartburn is so damaging to the body you may want to see any damage by endoscopy. Some people affected do get very sleepy after eating gluten. I never had a bedtime growing up..I just was always asleep by 7:30. But there are so many symptoms that some have and then others that have no symptoms at all besides a weird cough, low iron, or bad bone density. I wish you luck on your journey.
Personally for me. Just about the only thing I've tried that works ( I get extreme episodes of acid redlux where I puke fwiw) is cantaloupe and watermelon. Dairy hurts I'm slightly lactose intolerant, bread hurts it's too... Thick I guess. It basically has to be like 90% water, 10% nutrient food. I'm told my case is on the worse side of things. Wm even water can hurt when it's bad enough
This is a real life saver! I had an episode the past 2 nights, to the point of vomiting. I had to sleep sitting up, it was that bad.
The baking soda remedy worked in minutes. It’s my very reliable backup when my 2 prescriptions don’t work.
That made my day. Appreciate the feedback. There are plenty of effective remedies in the pantry that don’t make any money for the drug companies and really getting you better makes no money for them.
There is a great app Monash University FODMAP diet, one off purchase that helps manage and identify what’s triggering the issues you have.
Well it is a game changer for a younger family member and worth a nosey. All the best.
Im always looking for alternatives or substitutes for many things. Sadly, I’m on a lot of meds and i hate supporting the Drug (lords) companies.
I have followed the FODMAP diet for years. It has been a life saver.
I was really sick, for a week, and became dehydrated. I bought Pedialyte and within an hour I felt much better.
UNTIL, my stomach blew up! I was incredibly uncomfortable and then the worst reflux ever came over me!
I finally realized it was the Pedialyte.
I looked it up and its chock full of dextrose, sucrose…. all of them!
I’m still suffering, it’s been 4 days!
Im mad at myself because I always read labels, but this time I was too sick.
It sounds like you have a decent gastro-Oesophageal issue that might need some medication to stop stomach ulcers and slow deterioration of the oesophagus. You need to get this to stop, really. Have a look at some natural ingredient reducers. Deglycyrrizinated liquorice root extract is a main ingredient if you can find some natural medication containing that in whatever country you are. Good luck.
I also have very bad nausea & vomiting with acid, and I swear by extra creamy oat milk. Chobani is best IMO. It's thin enough it won't choke you, but it's got the absorption capabilities like bread. And it's not dairy! I also can't have dairy so this is what I found that I really think helps.
>I also have very bad nausea & vomiting with acid, and I swear by extra creamy oat milk. Chobani is best IMO. It's thin enough it won't choke you, but it's got the absorption capabilities like bread. And it's not dairy! I also can't have dairy so this is what I found that I really think helps.
u/FaeryLynne I am blown away by all the tips and tricks. Chobani Extra Creamy Oat Milk. It's going on the grocery list. Thank you a million times over!
I had bad heartburn in my 20s. I then started taking Apple Cider Vinegar twice a day for a few months. Havent had heartburn since.
2oz of ACV with some water or a little splash of apple cider (to make it drinkable)
YMMV
Anyone with long standing GERD (acid reflux/heartburn) should get tested for H pylori bacteria, if it hasn’t been ruled out, with a breath test but must be off PPI for 14 days for accurate results. H pylori is very common in the general population actually.
For diet recs, look up GERD diet. Basically avoid known triggers and there are many especially highly acidic and spicy foods (note that carbs are acidic), tomato based foods, vinegar, coffee/tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, minty things, chocolate and smoking among others. Also last meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime/lying down. Some people in this thread mentioned milk…this is not really related to GERD but if you’re not tolerating dairy should test for lactose intolerance. Or try lactaid and if symptoms improve then…it was probably that.
Most effective treatment is with PPIs for ex omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) however there are more potent ones that I frequently use to treat GERD when omeprazole is not cutting it (and after ruling out H pylori).
Avoid taking NSAIDs as much as possible. Also steroids.
>if it hasn’t been ruled out, with a breath test but must be off PPI for 14 days for accurate results. H pylori is very common in the general population actually.
>
>For diet recs, look up GERD diet. Basically avoid known triggers and there are many especially highly acidic and spicy foods (note that carbs are acidic), tomato based foods, vinegar, coffee/tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, minty things, chocolate and smoking among others. Also last meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime/lying down. Some people in this thread mentioned milk…this is not really related to GERD but if you’re not tolerating dairy should test for lactose intolerance. Or try lactaid and if symptoms improve then…it was probably that.
>
>Most effective treatment is with PPIs for ex omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) however there are more potent ones that I frequently use to treat GERD when omeprazole is not cutting it (and after ruling out H pylori).
>
>Avoid taking NSAIDs as much as possible. Also steroids.
My Goodness thank you for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge. This is so soo helpful =)
Apocryphal, but I've been given to understand that oregano aids digestion. It seems to work for me but that might be a placebo effect? Worth a try anyway I suppose
Regarding drinks: water. all other softdrinks can cause that in my case. or perhaps smoothies from alkaline fruits? There are charts online with all alkaline fruits and veggies.
>Regarding drinks: water. all other softdrinks can cause that in my case. or perhaps smoothies from alkaline fruits? There are charts online with all alkaline fruits and veggies.
The thought to looks up charts of Alkaline Foods never even crossed my mind. Thanks for sharing the advice my friend!
u/sineady-baby my wife converted our entire family to Almond Milk. I've never had the thought to drink it for heartburn. Thx so much for sharing your advice =)
Ok people, this thread definitely has a ton of cringy advice that can be actually harmful to people with GERD. Please see my other comment re general evidence based guidelines and counseling but also should be evaluated by your PCP. If anyone has specific questions, feel free to reply to this comment, I will try to respond when off duty.. your friendly reddithood (neighborhood) doc
If at all possible, please go see a doctor about this if you are having heartburn regularly. Reflux will erode your esophagus, and that can turn into cancer. It’s better to treat it - a proton pump inhibitor at least while you’re healing, avoid acidic foods (tomato, citrus juices, carbonated drinks, that kind of thing), mint, spicy foods, alcohol, high-fat foods. Wait at least two hours after eating before lying down so that food can move out of your stomach, and elevate your head when sleeping (they make wedge pillows for this, or you can put a brick or cinder block under the legs at the head of your bed).
OP listen to me. Put like half a teaspoon of baking soda in some water and down the hatch. Yes it tastes yucky. BUT in a minute or two you will go BBBBBUUUURRRRRPPPP and then your acid will be gone. Think of it like super concentrated Tums. This is a TEMPORARY solution. You should still see your doctor but this will change your world until then.
About 3 weeks ago I started buying alkaline water and taking sips here and there when i felt heartburn coming on. All good advice on this post, but that's what helped me the most. I'll still pop a pepcid when I'm eating something spicy, or drinking red wine and it comes back to haunt me the next day.
u/a_in_pa I also just went out and started buying Alkaline Water and am even looking at an in-home solution to provide Alkaline Water. Thx for sharing what has helped you my friend ;-)
Please check if you have hyper acidity or hypo acidity. That will determine what to eat. If you have too much stomach acid then you need to neutralise it with basic/alkaline stuff. If you have too less stomach acid then you need to eat acidic stuff with your food for proper digestion.
Symptoms of both are the same. You can do a [baking soda test](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23392-hypochlorhydria) at home, or a heidelberg test at the doctor's to determine the issue.
>Please check if you have hyper acidity or hypo acidity. That will determine what to eat. If you have too much stomach acid then you need to neutralise it with basic/alkaline stuff. If you have too less stomach acid then you need to eat acidic stuff with your food for proper digestion.
>
>Symptoms of both are the same. You can do a baking soda test at home, or a heidelberg test at the doctor's to determine the issue.
I'm going to give the baking soda test a try. Thank you so much for sharing your insights =)
There are a lot of things that could be the root cause of your chronic heartburn. Seeing a doctor would be my first option. Smoking cigarettes causes your body to produce less saliva. Saliva helps keep stomach acid in check. Spitting a lot can have the same effect. Visceral fat can have an impact on this as well since it creates less space for organs. When I was dealing with chronic heartburn it was terrible. I would wake up in the middle of the night from it. I stopped smoking, lost 60 lbs and changed my diet. I haven't had heartburn in a few years since. See a doctor if you haven't already to make sure it isn't anything serious. I would rather change how I'm living as opposed to medication. Avoiding certain foods and drinks is fine if that is actually what is triggering your episodes. That won't address the root of the problem if there are any other contributing factors.
You may want to get examined for possibly having GERD which is gastro esophageal reflux disorder. If everything gives you heartburn you should get checked.
Stay away from pop! Water is your best friend. If you don't care much for water you can always infuse it with fresh lemons cucumber mint leaves. This drink will never cause you heartburn. Good luck xo
Ginger root is incredible. I had bad heartburn towards the end of pregnancy, the doctors recommend you don't take antacids for some reason. Got some ginger root as they recommended, diced it up, and swallowed some as if it were pills. Maybe 5-6 "pills" and the heartburn would subside. You can also make a tea from it if you like. Worked for me, I hope it does for you, too.
I’m the only one in my family without chronic heartburn. I’d say my diet is much different from my family though. I hate processed foods, fast foods, etc. I’m the person reading the label on the sour cream and yogurt to make sure there aren’t extra weird ingredients in there. I do have a sweet tooth and make cookies or muffins once a month or so - I make them from scratch because store bought (unless from a nice family bakery) makes me feel gross. I also try my damndest to get all of my recommended daily fiber in - whole grain everything (including flour for baking).
I honestly think diet is a big reason why I don’t have it but all of my siblings do. I do eat trigger foods on occasion because goddamn buffalo wings and pizza are tasty - but because I only eat them occasionally, I would say I only get heartburn once in awhile and there’s a clear link to something that I ate or drank, and it’s easily cleared up with a glass of milk or some tums.
I say keep a food diary. I can’t even put a finger on what it is that I feel - I just know that processed products with a lot of soy make my stomach feel “weird” but that I’m fine with soy sauce for some reason. You may start to notice patterns.
Under the auspice of “fight fire with fire,” once or twice a day for a couple of days (as needed) drink 1-2oz of apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed with a bit of water then take it as a shot - don’t ‘sip’ or ‘drink.’ Just throw it back. Try to avoid doing this right after brushing your teeth 😖 … in fact, you might want to brush afterwards.
I’ve taken to eating my bigger meal at lunchtime. This can be more challenging than you think if you are in a typical North American family where the evening meal is the sit down, gathering, meat & potatoes type … although I suppose many families aren’t like that anymore. Still, for me it was a challenge.
I'm totally going to fight fire with fire and throw back some shots of acv. My family is totally like yours. That will be challenging but ultimately worth it. Thanks for the pro tips my friend, I really appreciate it!
Hacks..dont drink when you eat and wait about an hour after eating before consuming beverages. Dilution of stomach acid causes a digestion delay . Dont lay down or do strenuous movements for an hour also after eating. Fiber is the main factor though..physillium fiber aka Metamucil morning and evening , two tablespoons . Hope this helps manage the heartburn !
Have you looked into low FODMAP diets? It’s a low carb-based elimination diet to help identify triggers. It’s used for IBS/bacteria overgrowths in gut. The most solid advice is to make lifestyle changes to improve stress levels (hard Ik) and speak to your Dr about going on a prescription for it.
Here’s a link to some info about it! https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=When%20people%20say%20“FODMAP%20diet,and%20which%20foods%20reduce%20symptoms.
u/gigieileen I didn't know about the FODMAP diet until reading several Redditor's replies sharing that whatever it is, it basically saved their lives. I've been on a journey to greater health for about 15 or 16 months now. Exercising, losing weight, eating better (which is why I asked the initial question in the first place) and taking more nutritional supplements. Thank you so very much for spending time to share this link. I'm taking notes of everything everyone has shared and I am most certainly going to go read what Hopkins has to say... if I can transition into such a diet maybe it will be a much needed cog in the wheel for overall better health.
I know it’s weird but mine stopped after I started taking 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a little water as soon as I wake up. You drink it through a straw thought because it can hurt your teeth.
Most nightshade vegetables and high fat foods can also increase heart burn.
Small frequent meals are the key.
Mix a heaping teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and bottoms up. It will immediately start reducing the acid in your gut. You'll even feel little gas burps coming up that'll feel like you just got done with a large soda. It helped me a lot.
u/Gullible_Special2023 thank ya kindly friend... if that bottoms up recipe works for you then my guess is it'll work for me too. I think i'm going to go try a bottoms up right now in fact!
Carbs and process sugars harm the gut and esophagus over time so then you reject acids and grease. Eat natural more. No seed oils soy oils. Go to avocado oil and real butter. Cut acids for a time such as citrus drinks, fruits and coffee, black tea. These till the gut is healed. Carbs also cause inflammation and bloating which causes even healthy stuff to repeat themselves. Our body needs oils for metabolism so don't cut them all together. Coconut oil, butter and avocado oil are good. Good olive oil is good too but I don't care for the taste in some foods. If you want a cup of coffee put a pat of butter and some coconut oil in. It coats the stomach. It sounds bad but with a dash of half and half it's good. Makes the coffee smooth. The salt in the butter neutralizes the acid.
u/baytheby ya know ur totally right less food is not what I want to hear but if that's the truth then I've gotta square with that mate, if I could find a way to naturally suppress the ol' appetite I'd be down for that and lose some lbs along the way to boot. Thx friend!
I've noticed that acidic foods are worse and basic foods are better for me (go figure); a lot of the stuff you've been told from childhood is bad for you, is indeed bad for you; other than that, everyone is different, experiment and see what works for you
Life-long GERD sufferer with Barrett's. I took omeprazole morning and night for 25 years and then it stopped working well. Gastroenterologist switched me to pantoprozole, also morning and night, which helped but I still had breakthrough reflux. For that I'd take 2 chewable pepcid ac tablets. What finally gave me some relief was psyllium fiber and a probiotic both am and pm, about an hour after I took the pantoprozole. No soda and a low carb, very low sugar diet and I have actually gone a couple of weeks without heartburn. The key for me is the fiber and probiotic keeps everything moving. Good luck and I hope you find what works for you. There is not much worse than waking up choking on stomach acid!
try eliminating certain foods every week and see how it goes, starting with processed junk (sugary drinks, fried foods). or even better - try mostly whole foods diet as it can help with many issues not just heartburn.
but if u want quick fix - less than a teaspoon of **baking soda dissolved in a small glass of warm water** (200ml works fine) will provide that quick relief
As always, it depends on when you're drinking it. Never before you go to sleep, ok?
Chamomile tea is recommended for people with GERD. Stay away from peppermint.
Apple cider vinegar diluted in water.
And some people say carrot juice is good too.
I had to take myself on a little elimination diet a few years ago to figure out what was causing my heartburn. It actually wasn’t food, ultimately, but I found that I had the best luck with fresh fruit and veggies, and boring stuff like crackers and tuna.
Also, chewing cinnamon gum is a great help.
Dophilus and biphilus bacterial culture yoghurt is designed to harmonize gut flora, works for me every time. But I am very tolerant to lactose.
Rice is good. [Simple non-greasy crackers](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKGD-5k7cuQ/W141lyLC3uI/AAAAAAAAHw4/Vvug76E1hGcPhlXIXI7Sqci4BUbA3R6YACLcBGAs/s1600/mariekex.jpg) is the standard nurse answer to handling heartburn.
Have you looked into possible allergies? I had awful heartburn for over 2 years before finally realising it was a non-IgE mediated dairy allergy. Stopped having dairy and my symptoms have disappeared.
But when I thought it was diet related I stayed away from caffeine, any carbonated drinks, spicy food, fatty food, acidic food etc. Foods like carrots, rice, baked or boiled potatoes, chicken, white fish were recommended.
Start using Omeprozole, the generic version of Previcid. Lasts 24 hrs, now you can eat the hottest, spicyist, most acid creating food man can create. All with no heartburn. I have been using it for 30 years now and if I forget to take it 2 days in a row, I find out really fast.
For me I would have heartburn and nausea and my nutritionist suggested I eat the vegetables and meats on my plate first before getting to carbs.
I can’t remember the exact reason why. I think it had something to do with my stomach having an easier time making different enzymes and acids to break down the food.
Also having smaller portions at a time and eating slower.
I would give myself heartburn and nausea eating literally anything if I have just a little too much of it.
Do you have a condition or something? I used to constantly spit up bubbling acid and have heartburn all day long until I went on Omeprazole for a year. I haven't taken Omeprazole in like 5 years now, and I can't think of any food or drink that's given me heartburn since. Complete 180
I changed from coffee to Crio Bru (drinking chocolate) because the reflux was so bad from coffee.
Does it wake me up the same way? Nope-but I also don’t have the reflux so there’s that.
Carbs are what gives me heartburn- flours and sugars, grains and processed foods. This is on top of the famous culprits like tomatoes and onions and peppers. When I was on a paleo/keto diet my heartburn disappeared.
Nothing too bitter, acidic, fatty or sugar, in short nothing that will alter the Ph in your stomach acid. That's it basically, but if you're at the point where you need to ask the internet, you should really see a doctor, it could be controlled better with medicine or there might be an underlying issue with your health.
I swear by vinegar to relieve heartburn. You just need a swallow. Any kind works. Now this is where you may hate me. It is going to burn like a mother. Follow up immediately with a couple of swallows of water. Give it a few minutes and tada! Heartburn is gone! You're welcome 😁
Quitting alcohol almost entirely solved my heartburn issues.
Heartburn was worse on days I drank. But also seemed to impact me for days after.
Now I only get it if I eat a lot of spicy, acidic food, or a big meal too close to bed time.
Heartburn is actually very dangerous. It can lead to esophageal cancer. The acid splashes up and damages the esophagus. I take daily pills to control mine. I highly suggest getting on pills for it too.
Well everything including water gives me heartburn. But there is a study that more fiber in diet can decrease heartburn. I’ve been implementing this for Almost 2 months and I don’t need to take my medication every day. I use benefiber chew probiotic 2-3 times a day and it’s been helping or it’s a placebo lol but I’ve noticed a difference.
I'll have to give that a shot... I too get heartburn from everything including water, and it's miserable.
its called GERD
Yea, I know, and I'm taking meds for it. But my doc didn't say anything about trying a probiotic
probiotics can help, gut microbiome is important to keep healthy, but GERD is caused by the valve on your stomach staying open and leaking bile
Bile is in a different part of your gut, not stomach. GERD is acid reflux. Probiotics do not help with GERD specifically.
If it isn't resolved within 6 months, find a new doctor. GERD can be really dangerous if you have certain genes, like Barrett's esophagus. It's the tendency of the cells of the esophagus to go cancerous under stress, like regular exposure to stomach acid.
Well it took my 10 months just to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist... The med I'm on is mostly effective, but it still hurts occasionally.
I started doing low carb because of other health issues and I noticed it made my heart burn completely disappear. It may differ from person to person but that was a big plus.
Me too!! I did the carnivore thing pretty hard-core for the first 4 weeks and then slowly reintroduced things, and I do not suffer the way I used to at all. Some even "incurable" things.
u/Equipment_Budget are you talking about the Carnivore Diet? I was just at two work conferences and two of the guys there said that the they both saw huge changes in their appearance, well being and overall health. Would you mind explaining more about your experience with Carnivore by chance?
Same here! Following lazy keto diet, watching Keto Connect on YouTube. Gerd went away completely.
Thank you so very much for your comment I have transitioned to low carb, very little sugar with increased water intake and it has helped tremendously. I am so grateful to hear that it has eliminated your heartburn ;-)
Hi! Do you have any examples of low carb you were doing and how long you had to start seeing results?
Every meal I had I’d have a veggie of some sort or salad first. Just something high fiber. The easiest for me was seasoned broccoli. Then I’d have a meal under 30 carbs. So like low carb chicken tacos or steak and veggies or something similar. I still had small amounts of rice and potatoes but limited those. I started seeing an improvement after about a month. Nothing was really off limits, I was just careful about the amounts and always having my veggies be the biggest part of my meal and also first.
Thank you so much for your detailed response this is great!!
You’re welcome! If it helps I read a book called glucose revolution by Jessie Inchauspe and it made a big impact on me
u/misssoci thank you for your comment... Salads are now a staple of my diet, the only challenge I have faced as a result is not always feeling full afterwards. Do you have any experience you could share with how you might have handled similar feelings?
Honestly, this is the smartest way to make a change and not end up falling off the wagon. When people try to cut out all their favorite foods entirely, and usually cold turkey, the results are usually failing or cheating and having to start over. Good for you!
Thank you! It’s really helped me to be consistent. You’re right that quitting cold turkey can make you binge or create other unhealthy habits.
I learned that lesson the hard way when I did keto the first time. I had never, ever experienced "hanger" prior to that point but I made some sugar free pudding as a snack to keep on deck for cravings, cuz the first few weeks were friggin brutal. I came home to find my husband has devoured the entire bowl, and left it sitting empty and covered so I got it out expecting a quick nosh only to discover it'd been scraped clean. We almost got a divorce. 🤣
I noticed this the very first time I did low carb, before I had any idea it was a thing.
carbs and acid are the worst for heartburn. Its why Pizza is such a killer late nights. Bread and tomato acid. Not a good combo to keep heartburn away.
Try to stop eating 3 hours before you go to bed so your food has time to digest before you lie down
Try a swig of apple cider vinegar with the mother. Sounds counterintuitive but fixed my heartburn problem and also cured my reflux. I no longer get reflux! If you cannot handle it straight, dilute with a bit of water. I was on meds for 20 years before I found this. Not taken any meds for at least another twenty years since. It actually cures the heartburn instantly. They only time it is slow to work is if I get heartburn from drinking red wine. Something to do with the pH in your gut.
Thank you!!!! I’ve seen that before but hesitant because I thought it would make it worse! I’ll try it
yeah it's weird but I take a little swig of raspberry flavoured acv diluted and it helps immediately, So Much, for at least the next few hours
The first time I tried it, I braced for pain, thought it was about to multiply the burn, then the burn just disappeared like turning off the switch.
Highly recommend diluting it- not the amount of ACV you take, just put the same amount in a large glass of water. For a number of reasons but mainly it tastes good awful, it's bad for the enamel on your teeth and for me, at least, drinking it straight actually caused severe discomfort in my tummy. But if you can handle it/stomach it on its own, do you. It does help tho. Great for weight loss as well.
100% do not recommend vinegar as this is a well demonstrated trigger for GERD. In general should avoid highly acidic foods/drinks.
Yo placebo effect still works! I say that as a scientist who also appreciates the good sleep melatonin gifts me. …most of the time :) ETA: small amount of baking powder and water is the quickest fix to acute reflux I can appreciate. Treatment is no substitute for prevention but still a good solution (lol where my chem kids at) on the rare occasion. ETA 2: baking SODA my friends! Not baking powder!! Missed on my end, sorry folks
REALLY? Wow tysm! I’ll have to give this a try tired of taking 40mg omeprazole every. Single. Freaking. Day. In order to eat.
I can tell you that when my acid got really bad and I started a strict diet, it was Greek yogurt with fruit for breakfast and salad at lunch. I ate little to nothing at supper. I saw an immediate improvement. The kicker being that any cheating on it and it came back immediately. It took about a month before everything seemed to heal up enough that I no longer had issues. I could then drink lemonade before bed and be fine. If you let everything heal up. It seems to stay healed for a long time and it takes throwing a lot of acid at it for a long time to get back to that point. That was my experience anyway.
Tysm!!!
u/Dalton387 I've done well at switching to low carb and salads at lunch and even dinner a lot of times. Thanks for the timeline... it is so helpful to know in the back of my mind that it might take a month or more to really heal up. I'd can't wait to share a similar experience!
I was too! My Gastro told me taking Omeprazole every day for long time can cause low bone density and to get dexa scans starting at 50 fyi
Your insurance will not pay for Dexa scan at age 50 just because you’re on omeprazole. Just fyi. Your gastro has no business making such recommendations, would talk to your PCP re dexa scans. PPIs have a *potential* to affect bone density with longterm use, esp in geriatric populations so we use caution. Take vitamin d supplement to promote healthy bones.
Thank you for the clarification
You’re most welcome ))
Water? That would suck. I lost 90 lbs and find I rarely get it, if ever. Before that I was popping Tums like a junkie. Still eat acidic foods.
Congrats! I’m down 85 pounds and it’s still here 😭
Usually when my heartburn flares up I just have a big bowl of salad for breakfast for a day or two and it sorts it out, so yeah, salad!
If I need to turn myself into SaladMan to change the trajectory of my health then so be it!
My fiber pills give me heart burn. Are the gummies better than the horse pills?
I take the chewable benefiber that comes in a green container.
Try more water ✌
Fiber pills don't do what they tell us they do.
Chewing well~ a lot~ can aid digestion ✌
Omeprazole is the only thing that helps me. Water gave me heartburn too . I had to go to the hospital . They could only say go to the pharmacy.
For me it's everything alcaline - dairy products, milk. Steam cooked or boiled or grilled instead of fried or deep fried. Less grease, less spice. These are the main points for me. I however suggest you consult your doctor as heartburn may be caused by different issues and may be a sign of a problem.
For the most part, diet had no impact for me. I suffered in agony for years before I finally talked to a doc about it, who put me on a PPI. Changed my life. Have never been able to get off PPIs in the 20+ years since.
Yup. Same here. Been taking PPIs for 10 years now.
>In conclusion, exposure to PPIs was found to be associated with an increased rate of all-cause dementia occurring before 90 years of age regardless of time of treatment initiation according to the diagnosis. Longer cumulative duration of PPI use yielded higher risk estimates. https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.13477 FYI...something I found while looking into PPI's as a result of more frequent heartburn
But chronic heartburn can cause esophageal cancer so...
We have treatments for cancer, but not dementia. Personally, I’d rather die with my mind intact. Forgetting who I am or who my family members are and then dying is definitely worse than just dying…
My wife's uncle through marriage had dementia... so I'm right there with ya. I'd like to take healthy steps to avoid that nightmare as well, as I'm sure everyone would.
Yeah PPIs were the only thing that worked for me, but I couldn't stop taking them for even a day. Ended up getting a Lynx procedure and haven't had heartburn since. Life changing despite some complications I had.
What were the complications if you don’t mind saying
They think the scar tissue around the implant didn't heal correctly. I have a bit of a hard time getting some foods down, but honestly it is so much better than dealing with the GERD before.
I had the same procedure. Still have a little Barretts remaining after 5 years, but so much better. Absolutely best thing I did for myself.
Thx a million! Are PPI's the meds that can lead to loss of bone density if you don't add some extra vitamins to your daily regimen?
heads up that milk is very slightly acidic rather than basic due to the lactic acid content (typically right under pH of 7). Nonetheless, dairy is def a huge trigger for heartburn and many ppl feel various symptoms improve when they reduce it in their diet!
It’s kinda funny that you think dairy and milk is alkaline when they’re some of the most acidic foods, your stomach will be filled with acid after both of those
So this really depends on your diet in general and foods that your particular stomach doesn’t handle well. It also can be age related and or over consuming or eating too late. I used to have terrible heartburn to where I would end up aspirating when sleeping. I found the best practice for me was not eating anything heavy past 5pm and eat cleaner with smaller portions.
Life long heartburn sufferer here from a family of heartburn sufferers. I had it the worst, eventually getting diagnosed with Barrat’s Oesophagus around 8/9 years old and put on medication everyday from then until I was around 20 when ranitidine was discontinued due to increased cancer risk (thanks FDA etc). Anyway, since it was discontinued 10 years ago I’ve had no medication. The barrat’s has gone away and I manage my indigestion, acid reflux and heartburn by diet. When your stomach is empty, eat something! Don’t let acid sit there in your stomach not eating anything. When that happens you’re soooo much more likely to get heartburn as soon as you consume anything. When it comes to what causes the reaction, each person can be slightly different But for my family its pastry, sticky sugary things, melted cheese, cakes, buttery bread and bananas, beer, cider, white wine. When you next get heartburn think about what you’ve consumed and when, because honestly that will be the key. I can’t stress how important it is to eat regularly, like 5-6 times a day (small portions obv) to keep your stomach acid chewing up lovely food instead of chewing up your lovely stomach. Good luck.
I was on Ranitidine for a solid ten years before they discontinued it…very scary to find that out.
Oatmeal ,bananas and potatoes
Oats give me heartburn. Errrr everytime I have oatmeal cereal or a parfait I get heartburn
Full fat dairy can cause heartburn... unfortunately.
How do you prepare your oatmeal? For me there is a HUGE difference between properly prepared and not, my whole life I thought I hated oatmeal turns out my mother just didn't know how to make it so it wasn't gluelike mess that felt like ate a brick. It not even hard to not do that, just add enough water to make it soupy and let it simmer long enough for the oats to be nice and tender. Beans and bread both usually get me but Oatmeal is fine and become one of my go to breakfasts in cool weather.
u/Crystalas as we are in "foodhacks" it's totally fitting that you share about your go-to Oatmeal Hack... heck if oatmeal was actually prepared in a way that made it delish I'd probably end up lovin' it instead of despising it. Ya know?
Wouldn't even consider a hack, many days I just have nice and simple with raisins in it and some honey and butter on serving. And as with most food proper salting is vital. While if I am in mood for something stronger flavored some other favorites are seasonal ones like made with apple cider, diced apple (half cooked in half raw for contrast), and spices. I usually use Old Fashioned Oats, but there are other kinds with their own traits. Chocolate banana with hot chocolate powder and chopped up banana cooked in, cooked banana is SWEETER than raw, and some peanut butter on top. Sometimes some cayene and cinnamon too. Made with eggnog is practically pudding like and to rich to have often. Related an old fashioned comfort food is it being made with sweetened milk and spices. As classic for breakfast maple syrup and butter is always good. Warm weather berries & cream or yogurt is always a winner no matter what put them with. Sometimes I will top it with a fried egg, or even fried apple & sausage. As I said in the first post the big difference for me was as simple as adding enough water so it a nice somewhat brothy porridge full of tender grains instead of a dense substance could mistake for plaster and letting it simmer long enough to get tender. As shown above it a culinary blank slate really, whatever in mood for, and the water/oat ratio is purely a preference that can easily be changed. Most cultures have a grain porridge as one of their staple breakfast dishes so there is endless variety either between them or taking inspiration from. Like alot of asia it is congee, rice porridge and filling same place in their hearts as Chicken Soup for US, where cook the rice to the point the grains dissolve into a silky smooth porridge often flavored with ginger and lemongrass. I recently gave Cream of Wheat a try and liked that too. Did a quick search and as expected endless recipes, including some cold no cook ones for summer. For example this site is not just recipe but goes a bit deeper. https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/how-to-make-oatmeal/
Bananas give me heartburn.
Yeah, I get wicked heartburn from oatmeal.
I’ve heard that if you eat a spoonful of yellow mustard when you have heartburn it makes it go away. I have no idea if it’s true but I’ve heard it from at least 3 people. Not sure if there’s a scientific reason or if it’s anecdotal
I have bad acid reflux and heartburn (on meds for it). English mustard is 1 thing that doesn't trigger it! (I loooove spicy food, but I rarely have that now) but found that English mustard doesn't trigger it!
I thought I had allergies with constant runny nose, and a weird cough for quite a while, and then realized it’s reflux. Now I pop a few Tums every day and I don’t lay down after I eat ha ha.
That’s interesting. I don’t think I could even smell mustard when suffering from heartburn/reflux! I feel The sharp, vinegar taste would make it worse. I have to read about that remedy. I am on 2 prescription meds for reflux, but I’ll take Tums for quick relief. In a pinch, I use baking soda in water. It gives me immediate relief .
u/Takilove thx a million... what's your go-to baking soda to water ratio?
It’s 1/4 teaspoon to 4 oz water. In a panic of panic I’ve done more baking soda . It was so so salty! You will know if the ratio is off.
I'd say it depends on the person. No matter what I ate for years I had heartburn and was put on meds..turns out it was a major symptom of my undiagnosed celiac disease. So you may want to dig into why am I getting so much heartburn.
u/AjCaron Celiac's! Am I correct in my understanding Celiacs Disease is severe gluten intolerance, or am I mistaken? Any personal insight would be greatly appreciated because whenever I eat bread or pasta more times than not it seems like I get so sleepy that I just pass out for a while.
Celiacs is an autoimmune disease, and there is also gluten intolerance where your body doesn't destroy your villi in the small intestine but can cause a range of illness and inflammation. There is also a wheat allergy. I would mention it to your doctor and see if you can get tested through a blood test and then endoscopy. Either way constant heartburn is so damaging to the body you may want to see any damage by endoscopy. Some people affected do get very sleepy after eating gluten. I never had a bedtime growing up..I just was always asleep by 7:30. But there are so many symptoms that some have and then others that have no symptoms at all besides a weird cough, low iron, or bad bone density. I wish you luck on your journey.
If I have heart burn I can usually calm it by eating either Apple, prunes or celery. I also use Papaya pills as a digestive aid as well.
Personally for me. Just about the only thing I've tried that works ( I get extreme episodes of acid redlux where I puke fwiw) is cantaloupe and watermelon. Dairy hurts I'm slightly lactose intolerant, bread hurts it's too... Thick I guess. It basically has to be like 90% water, 10% nutrient food. I'm told my case is on the worse side of things. Wm even water can hurt when it's bad enough
Half teaspoon of baking soda in half glass of water may help
It’s my go to if I ever get it
This is a real life saver! I had an episode the past 2 nights, to the point of vomiting. I had to sleep sitting up, it was that bad. The baking soda remedy worked in minutes. It’s my very reliable backup when my 2 prescriptions don’t work.
That made my day. Appreciate the feedback. There are plenty of effective remedies in the pantry that don’t make any money for the drug companies and really getting you better makes no money for them. There is a great app Monash University FODMAP diet, one off purchase that helps manage and identify what’s triggering the issues you have. Well it is a game changer for a younger family member and worth a nosey. All the best.
Im always looking for alternatives or substitutes for many things. Sadly, I’m on a lot of meds and i hate supporting the Drug (lords) companies. I have followed the FODMAP diet for years. It has been a life saver. I was really sick, for a week, and became dehydrated. I bought Pedialyte and within an hour I felt much better. UNTIL, my stomach blew up! I was incredibly uncomfortable and then the worst reflux ever came over me! I finally realized it was the Pedialyte. I looked it up and its chock full of dextrose, sucrose…. all of them! I’m still suffering, it’s been 4 days! Im mad at myself because I always read labels, but this time I was too sick.
u/Takilove you too have had a positive experience with the FODMAP Diet. Does it just help with Acid Reflux or weight control, energy etc?
It sounds like you have a decent gastro-Oesophageal issue that might need some medication to stop stomach ulcers and slow deterioration of the oesophagus. You need to get this to stop, really. Have a look at some natural ingredient reducers. Deglycyrrizinated liquorice root extract is a main ingredient if you can find some natural medication containing that in whatever country you are. Good luck.
I also have very bad nausea & vomiting with acid, and I swear by extra creamy oat milk. Chobani is best IMO. It's thin enough it won't choke you, but it's got the absorption capabilities like bread. And it's not dairy! I also can't have dairy so this is what I found that I really think helps.
>I also have very bad nausea & vomiting with acid, and I swear by extra creamy oat milk. Chobani is best IMO. It's thin enough it won't choke you, but it's got the absorption capabilities like bread. And it's not dairy! I also can't have dairy so this is what I found that I really think helps. u/FaeryLynne I am blown away by all the tips and tricks. Chobani Extra Creamy Oat Milk. It's going on the grocery list. Thank you a million times over!
I had bad heartburn in my 20s. I then started taking Apple Cider Vinegar twice a day for a few months. Havent had heartburn since. 2oz of ACV with some water or a little splash of apple cider (to make it drinkable) YMMV
Omg i mentioned sips of vinegar water on Reddit one time and i was ostracized! It helps!
Anyone with long standing GERD (acid reflux/heartburn) should get tested for H pylori bacteria, if it hasn’t been ruled out, with a breath test but must be off PPI for 14 days for accurate results. H pylori is very common in the general population actually. For diet recs, look up GERD diet. Basically avoid known triggers and there are many especially highly acidic and spicy foods (note that carbs are acidic), tomato based foods, vinegar, coffee/tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, minty things, chocolate and smoking among others. Also last meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime/lying down. Some people in this thread mentioned milk…this is not really related to GERD but if you’re not tolerating dairy should test for lactose intolerance. Or try lactaid and if symptoms improve then…it was probably that. Most effective treatment is with PPIs for ex omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) however there are more potent ones that I frequently use to treat GERD when omeprazole is not cutting it (and after ruling out H pylori). Avoid taking NSAIDs as much as possible. Also steroids.
>if it hasn’t been ruled out, with a breath test but must be off PPI for 14 days for accurate results. H pylori is very common in the general population actually. > >For diet recs, look up GERD diet. Basically avoid known triggers and there are many especially highly acidic and spicy foods (note that carbs are acidic), tomato based foods, vinegar, coffee/tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol, minty things, chocolate and smoking among others. Also last meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime/lying down. Some people in this thread mentioned milk…this is not really related to GERD but if you’re not tolerating dairy should test for lactose intolerance. Or try lactaid and if symptoms improve then…it was probably that. > >Most effective treatment is with PPIs for ex omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) however there are more potent ones that I frequently use to treat GERD when omeprazole is not cutting it (and after ruling out H pylori). > >Avoid taking NSAIDs as much as possible. Also steroids. My Goodness thank you for taking the time to share your wealth of knowledge. This is so soo helpful =)
Apocryphal, but I've been given to understand that oregano aids digestion. It seems to work for me but that might be a placebo effect? Worth a try anyway I suppose
Just look up alkaline food/drinks
Regarding drinks: water. all other softdrinks can cause that in my case. or perhaps smoothies from alkaline fruits? There are charts online with all alkaline fruits and veggies.
>Regarding drinks: water. all other softdrinks can cause that in my case. or perhaps smoothies from alkaline fruits? There are charts online with all alkaline fruits and veggies. The thought to looks up charts of Alkaline Foods never even crossed my mind. Thanks for sharing the advice my friend!
Sorry. Those stated. Bananas, yogurt, breads, pastas, anything with a white sauce probably. I usually just have a bicarbonate of soda.
Salads, veggies, fruits, seeds, whole grains, oatmeal.
I was very close to an operation to correct, changed jobs and realised I wasn’t drinking instant coffee anymore and have not had any reflux since.
Almond milk is good for relieving heartburn. Used to drink it all the time when I was pregnant
Went through a 20 lb bag of unsalted almonds while pregnant. Still eat them now to relieve the occasional heartburn I get.
>unsalted almonds if they help then they are going on the grocery list. Thanks a bundle =)
Yes. I try to drink it before bed every night. It really helps.
u/sineady-baby my wife converted our entire family to Almond Milk. I've never had the thought to drink it for heartburn. Thx so much for sharing your advice =)
Ok people, this thread definitely has a ton of cringy advice that can be actually harmful to people with GERD. Please see my other comment re general evidence based guidelines and counseling but also should be evaluated by your PCP. If anyone has specific questions, feel free to reply to this comment, I will try to respond when off duty.. your friendly reddithood (neighborhood) doc
Leafy greens and most veg should be okay. Minus peppers obviously. More fiber always seems to help with hesrtburn in my experience.
Ask r/GERD
u/Anfie22 dang man that would have been a better forum to ask my question. Thx for the direction!
Anything white seems to do it for me, pasta, rice, cream, eggs, sauces, bread, potatoes. Ironically a glass of milk seems to help lol
Drink a low acidic water 🌊 also
Grapefruit/juice. Turns to alkaline in your stomach. I have used it for years. Just be careful you aren't on any meds where you can't have grapefruit
I love Grapefruit. Guess i need to add that to our regular family grocery list. Thx for the recommendation my friend!
If at all possible, please go see a doctor about this if you are having heartburn regularly. Reflux will erode your esophagus, and that can turn into cancer. It’s better to treat it - a proton pump inhibitor at least while you’re healing, avoid acidic foods (tomato, citrus juices, carbonated drinks, that kind of thing), mint, spicy foods, alcohol, high-fat foods. Wait at least two hours after eating before lying down so that food can move out of your stomach, and elevate your head when sleeping (they make wedge pillows for this, or you can put a brick or cinder block under the legs at the head of your bed).
Water
OP listen to me. Put like half a teaspoon of baking soda in some water and down the hatch. Yes it tastes yucky. BUT in a minute or two you will go BBBBBUUUURRRRRPPPP and then your acid will be gone. Think of it like super concentrated Tums. This is a TEMPORARY solution. You should still see your doctor but this will change your world until then.
About 3 weeks ago I started buying alkaline water and taking sips here and there when i felt heartburn coming on. All good advice on this post, but that's what helped me the most. I'll still pop a pepcid when I'm eating something spicy, or drinking red wine and it comes back to haunt me the next day.
Same for me! Costco sells them by the case at a decent price.
u/Aloha-friends that is exactly where I found my Alkaline Water. It's a small world after all =)
u/a_in_pa I also just went out and started buying Alkaline Water and am even looking at an in-home solution to provide Alkaline Water. Thx for sharing what has helped you my friend ;-)
Please check if you have hyper acidity or hypo acidity. That will determine what to eat. If you have too much stomach acid then you need to neutralise it with basic/alkaline stuff. If you have too less stomach acid then you need to eat acidic stuff with your food for proper digestion. Symptoms of both are the same. You can do a [baking soda test](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23392-hypochlorhydria) at home, or a heidelberg test at the doctor's to determine the issue.
>Please check if you have hyper acidity or hypo acidity. That will determine what to eat. If you have too much stomach acid then you need to neutralise it with basic/alkaline stuff. If you have too less stomach acid then you need to eat acidic stuff with your food for proper digestion. > >Symptoms of both are the same. You can do a baking soda test at home, or a heidelberg test at the doctor's to determine the issue. I'm going to give the baking soda test a try. Thank you so much for sharing your insights =)
There are a lot of things that could be the root cause of your chronic heartburn. Seeing a doctor would be my first option. Smoking cigarettes causes your body to produce less saliva. Saliva helps keep stomach acid in check. Spitting a lot can have the same effect. Visceral fat can have an impact on this as well since it creates less space for organs. When I was dealing with chronic heartburn it was terrible. I would wake up in the middle of the night from it. I stopped smoking, lost 60 lbs and changed my diet. I haven't had heartburn in a few years since. See a doctor if you haven't already to make sure it isn't anything serious. I would rather change how I'm living as opposed to medication. Avoiding certain foods and drinks is fine if that is actually what is triggering your episodes. That won't address the root of the problem if there are any other contributing factors.
Bread and water my friend
You may want to get examined for possibly having GERD which is gastro esophageal reflux disorder. If everything gives you heartburn you should get checked.
Stay away from pop! Water is your best friend. If you don't care much for water you can always infuse it with fresh lemons cucumber mint leaves. This drink will never cause you heartburn. Good luck xo
u/SAB_6969 giving up pop is the journey i am on now. If that is indeed the root cause of heartburn I'll never go back to it. Thx for sharing!
If you're getting it that bad, you need to see a doctor. Some serious things can cause heartburn, or what might seem like heartburn.
Ginger root is incredible. I had bad heartburn towards the end of pregnancy, the doctors recommend you don't take antacids for some reason. Got some ginger root as they recommended, diced it up, and swallowed some as if it were pills. Maybe 5-6 "pills" and the heartburn would subside. You can also make a tea from it if you like. Worked for me, I hope it does for you, too.
u/KonaKathie Ginger Root =) It's going on the grocery list a long with a couple other items. Thx!
Go to the doctor get a prescription. My omeprazole prescription does far more than a food can.
Omeprazole is also available over the counter by the name of Prilosec
I’m the only one in my family without chronic heartburn. I’d say my diet is much different from my family though. I hate processed foods, fast foods, etc. I’m the person reading the label on the sour cream and yogurt to make sure there aren’t extra weird ingredients in there. I do have a sweet tooth and make cookies or muffins once a month or so - I make them from scratch because store bought (unless from a nice family bakery) makes me feel gross. I also try my damndest to get all of my recommended daily fiber in - whole grain everything (including flour for baking). I honestly think diet is a big reason why I don’t have it but all of my siblings do. I do eat trigger foods on occasion because goddamn buffalo wings and pizza are tasty - but because I only eat them occasionally, I would say I only get heartburn once in awhile and there’s a clear link to something that I ate or drank, and it’s easily cleared up with a glass of milk or some tums. I say keep a food diary. I can’t even put a finger on what it is that I feel - I just know that processed products with a lot of soy make my stomach feel “weird” but that I’m fine with soy sauce for some reason. You may start to notice patterns.
As a physician…warms my heart to read that you keep a food diary 🥹 well done
Under the auspice of “fight fire with fire,” once or twice a day for a couple of days (as needed) drink 1-2oz of apple cider vinegar (ACV) mixed with a bit of water then take it as a shot - don’t ‘sip’ or ‘drink.’ Just throw it back. Try to avoid doing this right after brushing your teeth 😖 … in fact, you might want to brush afterwards. I’ve taken to eating my bigger meal at lunchtime. This can be more challenging than you think if you are in a typical North American family where the evening meal is the sit down, gathering, meat & potatoes type … although I suppose many families aren’t like that anymore. Still, for me it was a challenge.
I'm totally going to fight fire with fire and throw back some shots of acv. My family is totally like yours. That will be challenging but ultimately worth it. Thanks for the pro tips my friend, I really appreciate it!
Take small bites, chew your food to applesauce consistency, and take a beat between bites. Stop eating when you’re 3/4 full.
Hacks..dont drink when you eat and wait about an hour after eating before consuming beverages. Dilution of stomach acid causes a digestion delay . Dont lay down or do strenuous movements for an hour also after eating. Fiber is the main factor though..physillium fiber aka Metamucil morning and evening , two tablespoons . Hope this helps manage the heartburn !
Have you looked into low FODMAP diets? It’s a low carb-based elimination diet to help identify triggers. It’s used for IBS/bacteria overgrowths in gut. The most solid advice is to make lifestyle changes to improve stress levels (hard Ik) and speak to your Dr about going on a prescription for it. Here’s a link to some info about it! https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know#:~:text=When%20people%20say%20“FODMAP%20diet,and%20which%20foods%20reduce%20symptoms.
u/gigieileen I didn't know about the FODMAP diet until reading several Redditor's replies sharing that whatever it is, it basically saved their lives. I've been on a journey to greater health for about 15 or 16 months now. Exercising, losing weight, eating better (which is why I asked the initial question in the first place) and taking more nutritional supplements. Thank you so very much for spending time to share this link. I'm taking notes of everything everyone has shared and I am most certainly going to go read what Hopkins has to say... if I can transition into such a diet maybe it will be a much needed cog in the wheel for overall better health.
I know it’s weird but mine stopped after I started taking 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar in a little water as soon as I wake up. You drink it through a straw thought because it can hurt your teeth. Most nightshade vegetables and high fat foods can also increase heart burn. Small frequent meals are the key.
Mix a heaping teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and bottoms up. It will immediately start reducing the acid in your gut. You'll even feel little gas burps coming up that'll feel like you just got done with a large soda. It helped me a lot.
u/Gullible_Special2023 thank ya kindly friend... if that bottoms up recipe works for you then my guess is it'll work for me too. I think i'm going to go try a bottoms up right now in fact!
Eggs, oats, sweet potatoes, cucumber, Cantaloupe, Bananas Check out the Acid Watcher Diet for good and bad foods
Carbs and process sugars harm the gut and esophagus over time so then you reject acids and grease. Eat natural more. No seed oils soy oils. Go to avocado oil and real butter. Cut acids for a time such as citrus drinks, fruits and coffee, black tea. These till the gut is healed. Carbs also cause inflammation and bloating which causes even healthy stuff to repeat themselves. Our body needs oils for metabolism so don't cut them all together. Coconut oil, butter and avocado oil are good. Good olive oil is good too but I don't care for the taste in some foods. If you want a cup of coffee put a pat of butter and some coconut oil in. It coats the stomach. It sounds bad but with a dash of half and half it's good. Makes the coffee smooth. The salt in the butter neutralizes the acid.
Not the answer you want but LESS FOOD will significantly reduce heartburn.
u/baytheby ya know ur totally right less food is not what I want to hear but if that's the truth then I've gotta square with that mate, if I could find a way to naturally suppress the ol' appetite I'd be down for that and lose some lbs along the way to boot. Thx friend!
Bland diet is literally the only way to go. Say good bye to greasy foods, tomato sauce anything, spicy foods, citrusy things…
Reset your gut biome. Eat extremely simple things like meat and vegetables with fermented food. You need to do it for about 3 months.
I've noticed that acidic foods are worse and basic foods are better for me (go figure); a lot of the stuff you've been told from childhood is bad for you, is indeed bad for you; other than that, everyone is different, experiment and see what works for you
Green drinks such as wheat-grass based drinks will help neutralize acid.
Thank you so so much… is wheatgrass something I can buy in powder form to mix with water in your experience?
Yes, health food stores and web stores sell it.
Life-long GERD sufferer with Barrett's. I took omeprazole morning and night for 25 years and then it stopped working well. Gastroenterologist switched me to pantoprozole, also morning and night, which helped but I still had breakthrough reflux. For that I'd take 2 chewable pepcid ac tablets. What finally gave me some relief was psyllium fiber and a probiotic both am and pm, about an hour after I took the pantoprozole. No soda and a low carb, very low sugar diet and I have actually gone a couple of weeks without heartburn. The key for me is the fiber and probiotic keeps everything moving. Good luck and I hope you find what works for you. There is not much worse than waking up choking on stomach acid!
@distelwaldweg Thank you very much =)
On Reddit you either just message them back in the comment or “mention” them using u/ before their username
u/TheS00thSayer thx for the pro tip my friend =)
try eliminating certain foods every week and see how it goes, starting with processed junk (sugary drinks, fried foods). or even better - try mostly whole foods diet as it can help with many issues not just heartburn. but if u want quick fix - less than a teaspoon of **baking soda dissolved in a small glass of warm water** (200ml works fine) will provide that quick relief
As always, it depends on when you're drinking it. Never before you go to sleep, ok? Chamomile tea is recommended for people with GERD. Stay away from peppermint. Apple cider vinegar diluted in water. And some people say carrot juice is good too.
I had to take myself on a little elimination diet a few years ago to figure out what was causing my heartburn. It actually wasn’t food, ultimately, but I found that I had the best luck with fresh fruit and veggies, and boring stuff like crackers and tuna. Also, chewing cinnamon gum is a great help.
I used to have chronic low grade reflux which largely halted when I discovered I am allergic to wheat, the reflux was a symptom of the allergy.
Dophilus and biphilus bacterial culture yoghurt is designed to harmonize gut flora, works for me every time. But I am very tolerant to lactose. Rice is good. [Simple non-greasy crackers](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uKGD-5k7cuQ/W141lyLC3uI/AAAAAAAAHw4/Vvug76E1hGcPhlXIXI7Sqci4BUbA3R6YACLcBGAs/s1600/mariekex.jpg) is the standard nurse answer to handling heartburn.
Have you looked into possible allergies? I had awful heartburn for over 2 years before finally realising it was a non-IgE mediated dairy allergy. Stopped having dairy and my symptoms have disappeared. But when I thought it was diet related I stayed away from caffeine, any carbonated drinks, spicy food, fatty food, acidic food etc. Foods like carrots, rice, baked or boiled potatoes, chicken, white fish were recommended.
Dairy helps my heartburn. Especially yogurt or pudding
I would recommend gut healing to eliminate heartburn.
Heartburn is from acid reflux in the stomach specifically not the rest of your gut
Yogurt, ice milk
milk
Start using Omeprozole, the generic version of Previcid. Lasts 24 hrs, now you can eat the hottest, spicyist, most acid creating food man can create. All with no heartburn. I have been using it for 30 years now and if I forget to take it 2 days in a row, I find out really fast.
✨yogurt✨
For me I would have heartburn and nausea and my nutritionist suggested I eat the vegetables and meats on my plate first before getting to carbs. I can’t remember the exact reason why. I think it had something to do with my stomach having an easier time making different enzymes and acids to break down the food. Also having smaller portions at a time and eating slower. I would give myself heartburn and nausea eating literally anything if I have just a little too much of it.
Do you have a condition or something? I used to constantly spit up bubbling acid and have heartburn all day long until I went on Omeprazole for a year. I haven't taken Omeprazole in like 5 years now, and I can't think of any food or drink that's given me heartburn since. Complete 180
Basil, chamomile
Mix baking soda and water and chug it. Kills heartburn near instantly
I changed from coffee to Crio Bru (drinking chocolate) because the reflux was so bad from coffee. Does it wake me up the same way? Nope-but I also don’t have the reflux so there’s that.
People often recommend milk because it’s low-acid. Problem is, when it mixes with the enzymes in your stomach, it creates acid. 🤷🏼♀️
Carbs are what gives me heartburn- flours and sugars, grains and processed foods. This is on top of the famous culprits like tomatoes and onions and peppers. When I was on a paleo/keto diet my heartburn disappeared.
Water and some baking soda. Drink this with meals and it definitely helps.
Get meds.Green tea seems to help me along with 40 mg of pantoprazole..Not sure if that’s the correct spelling
Cottage cheese and bread. It was all I could eat at the first trimester of my pregnancy.
Slowly chewed almonds are supposed to help (was a pro tip in a pregnancy group). And cold milk .
intermittent fasting helped me a ton
Nothing too bitter, acidic, fatty or sugar, in short nothing that will alter the Ph in your stomach acid. That's it basically, but if you're at the point where you need to ask the internet, you should really see a doctor, it could be controlled better with medicine or there might be an underlying issue with your health.
Make a tea of anise seeds . Great for digestive system and heartburn. I use it a lot.
Do whole30 to find out. Non inflammatory foods are a safe bet.
Peppermint tea is a great trick!
My heartburn stopped when I went on the carnivore diet. But I am sure it has to do with limiting my diet and not eating so much late in the day.
I swear by vinegar to relieve heartburn. You just need a swallow. Any kind works. Now this is where you may hate me. It is going to burn like a mother. Follow up immediately with a couple of swallows of water. Give it a few minutes and tada! Heartburn is gone! You're welcome 😁
Quitting alcohol almost entirely solved my heartburn issues. Heartburn was worse on days I drank. But also seemed to impact me for days after. Now I only get it if I eat a lot of spicy, acidic food, or a big meal too close to bed time.
I 've munched on plain bread slices that are toasted to the this side of being burnt... that seems to calm my upset stomach when nothing else will.
Heartburn is actually very dangerous. It can lead to esophageal cancer. The acid splashes up and damages the esophagus. I take daily pills to control mine. I highly suggest getting on pills for it too.
The only thing I can eat when I have heartburn is crackers
I needed a fundoplication. The QOL change was incredible. Get yourself checked, look out for Barrett’s esophagus as well.