The holidays are upon us and we are indulging in lots of rich foods, chocolate, alcohol and fizzy drinks. The odds are that you or someone you know may experience heartburn this season is fairly common.
Around half of North American adults experience it at least once per month. Somewhere between 10-20% have it at least once per week! Heartburn, also known as reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when the strong acid in your stomach creeps up into your esophagus.
It can feel like a burning sensation; hence the name "heartburn." Other common symptoms include bloating, burping, difficulty swallowing, or a sore throat. Often there is a bitter or sour taste as well.
Don't get me wrong, stomach acid is good! Stomach acid is essential for good health and optimal digestion. We need the acid in our stomach to protect us against harmful microbes (i.e. bacteria) that lurk in our food and drinks. Stomach acid also helps us break down our food, and digest nutrients.
But we need that acid to stay in the stomach, and not get up to our esophagus! Stomach acid doesn't usually burn the stomach itself; this is because the stomach is protected by a layer of mucus.
But your esophagus doesn't have that same protection. It has a valve that is supposed to prevent things from going the wrong way (i.e. keep food, drink, and acid down; not allow it back up). And when your esophagus is exposed to stomach acid too often, it can cause the infamous burning, inflammation, and other potential issues.
I'm going to share some tips that may help you overcome your heartburn symptoms naturally this season. Of course, if the symptoms last for a long time, or get worse, it's probably a good idea to see your doctor.
Tip #1 – What foods to eat (and avoid)
You may notice that when you eat or drink certain things, you get heartburn soon afterward. These triggers may be different for everyone; but often include
onions, garlic, chocolate, citrus, tomato, mint, spicy foods, greasy foods, coffee, carbonated drinks, or alcohol.
If any of these affect you, reduce them or even try cutting them out to see if it makes a difference.
Heartburn might also result from a sneaky food intolerance. Try eliminating grains, dairy, and processed foods for a few weeks and see if that helps.
If you are up for an experiment, join my Winter Reset: 5 Day Seasonal Whole Food Cleanse for Beginners in which we remove grains, dairy, sugar, and processed foods for five days and see what happens. It’s a great way to easily observe food sensitivities and did I say, it’s also (only five days) ,very doable?
Now, you may be wondering: “If I eliminate these foods/drinks, then what can I put in their place?” Try increasing fiber intake. Yes, this means more whole, unprocessed foods, especially veggies! In fact, potatoes may be a great addition to meals if you suffer from heartburn. Try getting at least five servings of veggies every day.
Tip #2 – How and when to eat
Eat slowly.
Use mealtimes to release stress.
Chew your food very well.
Don’t eat meals that are too big.
And don’t eat too close to bedtime.
Tip #3 – Lifestyle adaptations
Sometimes strenuous exercise can make heartburn symptoms worse. If this happens to you, then focus on low-intensity exercises like walking and cycling.
If symptoms come on as you’re lying down to sleep, try adding a pillow or two so your head is a bit higher than your stomach.
Another interesting tip is to try sleeping on your left side. Lying on your left side works because the valve that prevents the acid from "leaking" into your esophagus is located on the right side of the stomach. So, when you're lying on your left, the acid is away from that valve.
In a nutshell:
Heartburn is a very common condition where stomach acid creeps up into the esophagus (where it’s not supposed to be).
If you suffer from symptoms of heartburn, there are many things you can do. There are foods and drinks to avoid and veggies to increase. You can eat slower, chew more thoroughly, and don't lie down within 2-3 hours of eating. Also, try low-intensity exercise and sleeping on your left side. Try these simple, natural strategies. They can help prevent or relieve heartburn symptoms for you.
And here is a recipe that won’t cause burning, bloating or burping.
Recipe: Crispy Potato Smashies*
Serves 4
1 small bag of mini potatoes
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 TBSP chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
Heat oven to 425
Scrub potatoes and boil them until they're soft. How long will depend on their size, so check them by feeling how easily they're penetrated with a fork or knife.
OR:
You can microwave the potatoes, in a microwave-safe bowl, with ½ “ of water in the bottom, for about 1-20 minutes, until the potatoes can be pierced by a fork.
Drain the water, let the potatoes cool until they are just warm.
This is where the magic happens!
Now that the potatoes are not too hot, smash them with the heel of your hand into flattened rounds.
Pour olive oil onto a large, rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place your potato smashies on the oiled sheet and sprinkle more salt and pepper on top.
Cook for 10-15 minutes until the undersides are crispy.
Remove and flip the smashies with a spatula and cook the opposite side for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Remove from oven, and transfer to a serving platter, and sprinkle with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley.
Serve & enjoy!
*Adapted from Cravings: Hungry for More, by Chrissy Tiegen
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