HEARTBURN : FOODS TO EAT, FOODS TO AVOID

Put together by Dawn Ho

What is heartburn?

Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. It is a burning discomfort from the chest area up to the throat. It can happen when stomach acid refluxes, or flows up, through a valve called the lower esophageal sphincter and irritates the esophagus. Certain foods can trigger heartburn so this slideshow can help you identify and be more aware.

Heartburn Trigger: Too Much Food

When it comes to heartburn risk, the sheer volume of what you eat matters.

No matter what the food is, how good it looks, or how much you like it, eating too much food at once makes heartburn more likely.

Heartburn tip #1: Try using smaller plates to trim your portions.

Heartburn Trigger: Eating on the Go Grab, gulp, and go -- don't make for

good digestion and can make GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) symptoms more likely.

Slow down when you eat if you're concerned about heartburn symptoms.

Heartburn Trigger: Fatty Foods

High-fat foods tend to stay in the stomach longer, and the longer they're there, the more likely discomfort can be.

If you're eating big servings of those high-fat foods -- like a lot of fried chicken, chips, or wings -- then you've got a double whammy of two potential heartburn triggers -- too much food and fatty fare.

Heartburn Tip: Cut Back on Fat You may not have to give up your

favorite foods. Preparing them differently could

help tame your heartburn. Heartburn Tip #2: You might be able

to bake, broil, grill, or roast some foods instead of frying them. You could trim extra fat off meat and poultry, and cut the skin off chicken.

Heartburn: Trigger: Acidic Foods Acidic foods can trigger heartburn,

especially if you eat them by themselves, on an empty stomach.

Tomatoes and products that contain tomatoes (such as tomato sauce and salsa)

Citrus fruits (such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons)

Vinegar is also highly acidic -- not that you're going to eat vinegar by itself, but it's a common ingredient in salad dressings and other dishes.

Drinks That May Trigger Heartburn Coffee (regular or decaffeinated),

caffeinated tea, colas, other carbonated drinks, and excess alcoholic beverages.

Caffeinated beverages boost acid in the stomach and alcoholic beverages can relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to heartburn.

Sodas can bloat the stomach, which may lead to heartburn.

Heartburn tip #3: Choose drinks that aren't fizzy and don't contain caffeine.

Options include herbal teas, milk, and plain water. Having water with meals would also dilute stomach acid, making heartburn less likely

Heartburn Trigger: Chocolate Chocolate contains stimulants similar

to caffeine, and caffeine can be a heartburn trigger.

But if you can't bear the thought of giving up chocolate, see if cutting back helps you avoid heartburn.

Heartburn Trigger: Spicy Foods Got a taste for spicy foods -- the hotter,

the better? All that heat may provoke heartburn. Peppery foods and hot sauces can be heartburn triggers

Peppermint is cool, not fiery, but it may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to heartburn.

Although garlic and onions aren't spices, they are flavorful foods that may spur heartburn.

Heartburn Tip #4: Write down what food or drinks you can handle and what leads to heartburn. Your heartburn triggers might be different from someone else’s.

Jotting down can help you pinpoint what eating habits you need to change.

Heartburn Tip #5: Try Chewing Gum

Chewing gum after a meal to stimulate saliva production, since saliva neutralizes acid and spurs the stomach to move its contents into the small intestine faster -- basically, moving it down the line before heartburn sets in.

I recommend picking a flavor that isn't peppermint or mint, in order to avoid relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter.

Heartburn Tip #6:

Don't lie down right after a meal -- allow three hours between dinner and bedtime. Since smoking and being overweight may also make heartburn more likely, take steps toward a healthier lifestyle.

Although occasional heartburn is common, you may want to ask your doctor about frequent heartburn, which could be a symptom of GERD.

Credits to:

http://www.medicinenet.com