Refined olive oil has a high acidity level, while extra virgin olive oil has an acidity level of less than 1.5 percent, making it the best choice in olive oils for those with heartburn and acid reflux.
The high levels of monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil have been found to reduce acid reflux and inflammation in the esophagus. Additionally, compounds found in the oil can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping stomach acids from flowing back up into the esophagus.
Olive Oil. Your body needs fat to work right, but fatty foods can make GERD symptoms worse. So you'll probably want to stay away from things like butter or margarine. In their place, try a healthier fat like olive oil to see what might work for you.
Egg whites are great for reducing acid reflux; but make sure to skip the yolks. Healthy, unsaturated fats found in avocados, walnuts, flaxseed, olive oil, sesame oil, and sunflower oil, are better choices than saturated and trans fats.
Studies on mice have shown that cooking iron -containing foods (meat) in vegetable oil could be an important cause of inflammation-related gastrointestinal disorders including, heartburn, gastritis, and ulcers.
Fatty foods are not the preferred option for treating gastritis, however, healthy fatty acids work wonder for it. Add nuts, seeds, oil such as olive oil, coconut oil and oily fish abundant in omega 3 fatty acids that help to lessen stomach inflammation.
Green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, peas, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts are known to prevent and alleviate acid reflux. In addition to being very low in fat, these vegetables are also high in alkaline content. The low pH offsets the high pH of the stomach acid.
Any root vegetable like potatoes, mushrooms, turnips, and carrots will reduce symptoms since they have a low acidity. Herbs are also a great option to include in your diet. They can add flavor without needing extra oil, sugar, or salt.
Potatoes. Potatoes — either boiled or baked and prepared without high-fat toppings — are a good option to help you prevent acid reflux. Try to stay away from french-fries and potato chips though. As good as they taste, their high fat content can cause stomach discomfort.
Virgin olive oil acidity is usually lower than 2%, and the extra virgin variety, which is the highest quality, has less than 0.8% acidity, as is the case with Carapelli oils.
Saturated fats such as butter, cream and cheese, can be especially bad for acid reflux, so try to ensure that the fats you eat are healthier unsaturated ones, such as avocado or walnuts.
Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bread, and brown rice are healthy, hearty ways to combat occasional heartburn. These complex carbohydrates not only help absorb acid in the stomach, but they're also full of vitamins and minerals.
Some oils, like peppermint, lavender, turmeric and ginger essential oils can aid in digestion and at the same time calm the spasms associated with reflux.
Heartburn-Friendly Meals: Lighten Up
Bake or broil foods instead of frying them. In recipes that include cream, try substituting low-fat yogurt.
Cool your heartburn with low-acid and fiber-rich foods such as whole grains and vegetables. Oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice help absorb and neutralize stomach acid and reduce your chances of experiencing that dreaded burn. Add banana to your oatmeal for the ultimate low-acid meal.
Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.
Egg Whites: Eggs are a popular food item in terms of easing acid reflux, but some people find that the yolks have a high fat content which can trigger acid reflux. Egg whites are the low-fat, low-cholesterol option to help with acid reflux.
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets. Lean chicken and meat: Order or cook it grilled instead of fried. Plain breads and cereals: Skip overly processed carbs with high-fat ingredients like muffins and croissants.
Oils with more monounsaturated fats, such as rapeseed and olive, are also less susceptible to heat. Rapeseed oil (often sold as generic vegetable oil) and inexpensive olive oil are therefore the best choices for cooking. All cooking fats add fat and calories to your diet.