5 Top Superfoods To Help With Your Symptoms Of GERD
If you suffer from GERD, chances are that diet is probably a big part of your life. Managing your symptoms of GERD, particularly your acid reflux, is a battle that’s oftentimes fought in the kitchen, and it involves some amount of meal planning. When you remove all the reflux trigger foods from your life, you’re left having to piece together what you can actually eat.
As acid reflux and GERD specialists, we do what we can to help you, and while no diet or “superfood” will cure your acid reflux, managing your diet can help ease a lot of the discomfort caused by your GERD. Here are 5 top superfoods that can help minimize your symptoms of GERD.
1. Aloe Vera
Most people aren’t aware that you can even eat aloe vera, but inside these bendy sword-like green leaves hides a gooey, clear and gel-like substance that is rich in enzymes and other amazing properties. The inner gel can calm your esophagus, reduce inflammation and gut acidity. Just make sure to blend it with other ingredients, otherwise, it won’t taste (or look) too appetizing.
2. Kefir
Kefir, or fermented milk, is a great, gut-healthy probiotic that’s important for sustaining healthy bacteria in your stomach and reducing heartburn. It’s also a good option if you’re looking for a milk substitute. To make it, simply get kefir grains and mix with coconut water (or coconut milk). Other great probiotics include yogurt and kombucha.
3. Bone Broth
If your esophagus has been damaged by acid reflux, bone broth could help restore it’s lining. Bone broth is rich in gelatin and cartilage, which are essential in rebuilding tissue. It also carries amino acids, minerals, electrolytes, and antioxidants that help heal the GI tract.
4. Chlorella
Our next superfood is a freshwater algae that is both a probiotic and an amazing source of soluble fiber. Chlorella will help rebuild the lining of your GI tract and keep you “regular.” There’s a reason why it has been deemed a near-perfect food.
5. Healthy Fats
When you’re diagnosed with GERD, you’re told to avoid fatty foods above everything! Luckily, that doesn’t include healthy fats like olive or coconut oil, avocado, coconut milk, and nuts and seeds like chia, almonds, walnuts, and flax. These fats will not only help your overall health, but they’ll also keep your GI tract happier.
While surgery is the only solution that can effectively treat GERD and chronic acid reflux, these top superfoods will help keep you healthy and manage your symptoms of GERD while you prepare for surgery. To find out more about the treatments for GERD or to meet with one of our reflux surgeons contact us today.