Natural Cures - High Cholesterol

Foods That Fight Heartburn

Are you a smart snacker?

If you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), how you eat is almost as important as what you eat. That means slow it down, no late-night snacks, and don't hit the hay right after meals. But choosing food wisely is also key.

You can curb your GERD by opting for a low-fat, high-fiber diet that's heavy on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and lean meats. Listen to your body, and use this chart from the National Heartburn Alliance to select the best GERD-soothing foods.

Oatmeal

Drop that doughnut, unless you want heartburn for breakfast. If you have GERD, high-fat food is usually a recipe for pain. Instead choose oatmeal. It's a low-fat, high-fiber meal that can soothe your stomach. Top it off with sliced bananas, which are thought to fight stomach acid naturally.

Or if you need more inspiration, try these recipes:

• De-Lish Oatmeal
• Banana-Oatmeal-Chocolate Chip Cookies (using vegan chocolate chips)
• Chai Oatmeal

Ginger

Fresh ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory and is an age-old remedy for stomach problems of all kinds. You can get your daily dose—2 to 4 grams (more than that can actually cause heartburn)—by steeping ginger in hot water to make tea, chewing a piece of ginger, or using ginger generously when you cook.

Try these recipes:

• Curried Carrot, Sweet Potato, and Ginger Soup
• Chewy Ginger Cookies
• Braised Lamb Stew
• Ginger Pecan Muffins
• Mango-Ginger-Strawberry Smoothie

Pasta (hold the red sauce)

Tomatoes and heavy sauces are a no-no for people with GERD—which rules out a lot of classic Italian dishes (unfortunately). For those with a craving for pasta, the National Heartburn Alliance recommends thin, broth-like sauces. And using a whole-wheat pasta will boost your fiber intake.

Try these recipes:

• Vegetable Lasagna
• Whole-Wheat Pasta With Mushrooms
• Tangy Dijon Pasta
• Orecchiette With Brussels Sprouts and Hazelnuts

Beans

Certain fatty meats, such as ground beef, are thought to trigger heartburn. Beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber and a great alternative to meat. If you have GERD, they should be a regular feature in your diet.

Try these recipes:

• Classic Jamaican Rice and Peas*
• Chorizo White Bean Soup
• Pennsylvania Dutch Beans

*This recipe contains a small amount of allspice, which may cause GERD to flare. Eliminate it from the recipe if you suspect it will trigger heartburn.

Applesauce

Butter and oil are known to trigger heartburn, but that doesn't mean you have to forgo all your favorite foods. Just substitute applesauce for oil, which will reduce fat and add a shot of fiber to baked goods. A common rule of thumb—use the same amount of applesauce (in cups) as the recipe calls for in oil, but you may need to fine-tune some recipes to get the consistency just right.

Try these recipes:

• Applesauce Pancakes
• Maple-Date-Nut Oatmeal Breakfast Squares
• Apple-Cinnamon Granola

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