Heartburn is a burning pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain is often worse after eating, in the evening, or when lying down or bending over. Occasional heartburn is common and is no cause for alarm. Hence, most people can manage the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. Heartburn that is more frequent or interferes with your daily routine may be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires medical attention.
Adding the right foods to your diet would help with your heartburn. But there are limits to what they can do. When acid and other liquids in your stomach back up into your esophagus, it results in heartburn. To curb heartburn, build your meals around naturally low-acid foods like:
- Melons and bananas. Bananas are always handy as a snack food. All sorts of melons are good, like watermelon, etc
- Oatmeal. It’s a great way to start your day. Oatmeal doesn’t cause heartburn, it’s filling, and it has lots of healthy fiber.
- Bread. Choose whole-grain which is made with unprocessed grains. Other healthy-sounding breads may be made with refined grains, which are stripped of natural fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients.
- Rice. These healthy complex carbs are great if you have heartburn. When choosing rice, go for brown rice, which has more fiber
- Green veggies. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, celery, and cauliflower are all low in acid
- Lean poultry and meats. Prepare chicken and turkey grilled, broiled, baked, or steamed. Just remove the skin and don’t fry it.
- Potatoes. Other root vegetables are good, not just not onions
- Fish. Grilled, poached, and baked fish are all good choices. Just don’t fry it or use fatty sauces.
- Egg whites. They’re a good source of protein and are low in acid. Just skip the yolk, which is more likely to cause symptoms.