Get in the Autumn Spirit With These Heartburn-Friendly Foods for Fall!
If you struggle with heartburn on a daily basis, you’ve likely been diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When acid reflux is a daily struggle, you’re always on the hunt for heartburn-friendly foods. With the first wisps of autumn lingering in the air, we’ve decided to compile a list containing five of the best fall dishes, giving you a few heartburn recipes for fall that you can add to your repertoire!
General Heartburn Triggers To Avoid
There are many foods that trigger acid reflux, including chocolate, citrus, caffeine, spicy foods, fried food, high-fat items, tomato products, and peppermint. As you start creating fall meal lists and your Thanksgiving menu, keep these trigger foods in mind.
Five Heartburn-Friendly Fall Foods
Sometimes, it feels far too negative to dwell on the foods that you can’t have. We’ve previously covered tips for avoiding heartburn over the holidays, but let’s take a look at some super-delicious fall dishes (that you can have) that are sure to put you in the autumn spirit!
Apple Cider
There’s nothing quite like a warm glass of apple cider on a cool, crisp, autumn evening! Luckily, apple cider is made from apples— there’s no citrus in this drink to upset your stomach. Some parties will serve mixed alcoholic drinks that use apple cider, but try to avoid alcohol if you want to also avoid heartburn. Furthermore, adding apple cider to marinades, sauces, and dressings can instantly give any dish that je ne sais quoi that screams fall.
Butternut Squash Soup
This one is a fall favorite with many of our patients. Butternut squash is an amazing fall and winter vegetable; when cooked down and pureed into soup, combined with warm spices, and served with crusty bread, this veggie will be the star of your dinner. The best part is that leftovers can be frozen and reheated later on during the colder months.
Pumpkin Pie
Depending on how the pie was made, you may be safe after eating a slice. Just remember not to overfill your stomach, as this can lead to heartburn even if you didn’t consume any trigger foods. If you want to top your pie with whipped cream, try to choose a low-fat or fat-free option. Your best bet is to make your own pumpkin pie; this way, you can choose the ingredients that go into your dessert.
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Who says pumpkin has to be reserved for pie? Grab a pumpkin this fall, roast it in the oven, and puree it to add to other foods like oatmeal and pancakes. To make a delicious bowl of pumpkin spice oatmeal, simply add a tablespoon of pumpkin puree, a pinch of cinnamon, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a small amount of ground clove to your bowl. Sweeten your oats if you’d like, and enjoy!
Seared Salmon With Fall Veggies
Salmon is a great main dish any time of the year, and the sides you pair it with can elevate it drastically. For a simple, light fall meal, pair a maple seasoned grilled salmon with roasted acorn squash and a steamed vegetable like asparagus or green beans. Your house will smell amazing and your belly will thank you.
Some Fall Swaps To Save You The Heartburn Trouble
Keep in mind that many foods - especially dairy foods - come in low-fat, heartburn-friendly swaps. Swap the whole milk in a recipe for skim, top your dessert with low-fat whipped topping rather than full-fat whipping cream. We also recommend that you eat smaller portions during the holidays; no matter how heartburn-safe your food choices are, overeating will always cause an issue.
If you’re ready to get rid of your heartburn and acid reflux symptoms for good, get in touch with our reflux specialists today. Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we offer several reflux surgeries that can help you get your life back.