Thanksgiving can be an acid reflux sufferer’s worst nightmare; a smorgasbord of rich, tempting food to choose from and the inevitable heartburn, GERD or LPR that goes with it. Don’t despair. If you have been diagnosed with one of the above diseases related to acid reflux, here are some tips and tricks to help you survive the Thanksgiving feast and even show you how to enjoy it.
Photo by: Rabble on Flickr Creative Commons
Unfortunately, I know more than I’d like to know about acid reflux. After being diagnosed with an acute case of LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) over the summer, I had to completely re-learn how to eat, when to eat, what foods to avoid and discover what medications worked best for me. Based on my experience and research, I put together a brief Thanksgiving survival guide for acid reflux sufferers.
See your doctor and get medicated
This is a no-brainer. But unfortunately, many people don’t do this. If you have a bad case of acid reflux, over-the-counter medications may not cut it. In my case, I was told that even a double dose of OTC Prilosec would be like “a drop in a pool”. The only thing that worked for me was a heavy duty prescription time-released capsule. If you are reading this article, you already know that you have acid reflux. But many people do not. Not all acid reflux patients experience the obvious heartburn. LPR or “Silent Reflux” affects the esophagus. Sufferers experience coughing, problems swallowing and in some cases restriction of their airway. Finding the right medication can help tremendously and may even allow you to eat like you normally –without stressing over food in the first place.
You may find that taking a dual action chewable PPI like Pepsid AC before and after your Thanksgiving meal helps with acid reflux–regardless if you take prescription medications or not.
Eat early
Fortunately Thanksgiving is a meal that is often served as a late lunch. If you suffer from acid reflux, it is best to not to eat 3 hours before bedtime. So no late-night pumpkin pie for you. Make sure that you get plenty to eat before bedtime so you are not tempted to raid the fridge later.
Don’t stuff yourself
Take your acid reflux as a lesson in better eating habits. Over-eating is a big no-no in general, but it’s even worse for acid reflux sufferers. It is better to eat many small portions rather than gorging out in one sitting. Don’t feel bad about eating something before the “big meal” so that you do not eat too fast and overdo it at the table.
Food and beverages to avoid
It’s a shame, but most of the good things we eat and drink are acid reflux offenders. During my acute phase of LPR, I had to avoid most anything with spice or flavor. I was also instructed to avoid major food groups including dairy, alcohol (bummer) and citrus. Hopefully, you don’t have it that bad. Here is a basic food chart to help you make wise choices during Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet for Acid Reflux Sufferers
| Avoid Like the Plague | Eat in Moderation | Go Nuts! |
Alcohol (Red wine is the worst)
Caffeinated drinks
Cranberry sauce
Gravy
Chocolate
Peppermint
Mint
Fried and fatty foods
Tomato products
Onions
Garlic
Mustard
Heavy spices
Vinegar
Carbonated beverages, such as soda
Citrus fruits and juices | Dairy products
~Milk
~Cheeses
~Cream sauces
~butter
Stuffing
Corn bread
Mashed potatoes (NO gravy)
Pumpkin Pie
Sugary dessert | Turkey and lean meat
Tofu
Bread
Rice
Potatoes
Whole grains
Vegetables (non citrus)
Fruits (non citrus)
Nuts
Egg whites |
Put yourself in motion
One of the best things you can do for your delicate acid reflux condition is to get your digestive juices going and kick up your metabolism before and after the meal. But you don’t have to run a marathon. A 30-minute walk will do the trick. If you are hosting Thanksgiving, why not allow your guests to get competitive with an active video game match or a potato sack race? On second thought, maybe a walk around the block will do.
Sources:
Have a question? Try the heartburn help forums
April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com and rentals.com
Thanksgiving can be an acid reflux sufferer’s worst nightmare; a smorgasbord of rich, tempting food to choose from and the inevitable heartburn, GERD or LPR that goes with it. Don’t despair. If you have been diagnosed with one of the above diseases related to acid reflux, here are some tips and tricks to help you survive the Thanksgiving feast and even show you how to enjoy it.
Photo by: Rabble on Flickr Creative Commons
Unfortunately, I know more than I’d like to know about acid reflux. After being diagnosed with an acute case of LPR (Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) over the summer, I had to completely re-learn how to eat, when to eat, what foods to avoid and discover what medications worked best for me. Based on my experience and research, I put together a brief Thanksgiving survival guide for acid reflux sufferers.
See your doctor and get medicated
This is a no-brainer. But unfortunately, many people don’t do this. If you have a bad case of acid reflux, over-the-counter medications may not cut it. In my case, I was told that even a double dose of OTC Prilosec would be like “a drop in a pool”. The only thing that worked for me was a heavy duty prescription time-released capsule. If you are reading this article, you already know that you have acid reflux. But many people do not. Not all acid reflux patients experience the obvious heartburn. LPR or “Silent Reflux” affects the esophagus. Sufferers experience coughing, problems swallowing and in some cases restriction of their airway. Finding the right medication can help tremendously and may even allow you to eat like you normally –without stressing over food in the first place.
You may find that taking a dual action chewable PPI like Pepsid AC before and after your Thanksgiving meal helps with acid reflux–regardless if you take prescription medications or not.
Eat early
Fortunately Thanksgiving is a meal that is often served as a late lunch. If you suffer from acid reflux, it is best to not to eat 3 hours before bedtime. So no late-night pumpkin pie for you. Make sure that you get plenty to eat before bedtime so you are not tempted to raid the fridge later.
Don’t stuff yourself
Take your acid reflux as a lesson in better eating habits. Over-eating is a big no-no in general, but it’s even worse for acid reflux sufferers. It is better to eat many small portions rather than gorging out in one sitting. Don’t feel bad about eating something before the “big meal” so that you do not eat too fast and overdo it at the table.
Food and beverages to avoid
It’s a shame, but most of the good things we eat and drink are acid reflux offenders. During my acute phase of LPR, I had to avoid most anything with spice or flavor. I was also instructed to avoid major food groups including dairy, alcohol (bummer) and citrus. Hopefully, you don’t have it that bad. Here is a basic food chart to help you make wise choices during Thanksgiving.
Caffeinated drinks
Cranberry sauce
Gravy
Chocolate
Peppermint
Mint
Fried and fatty foods
Tomato products
Onions
Garlic
Mustard
Heavy spices
Vinegar
Carbonated beverages, such as soda
Citrus fruits and juices
~Milk
~Cheeses
~Cream sauces
~butter
Stuffing
Corn bread
Mashed potatoes (NO gravy)
Pumpkin Pie
Sugary dessert
Tofu
Bread
Rice
Potatoes
Whole grains
Vegetables (non citrus)
Fruits (non citrus)
Nuts
Egg whites
Put yourself in motion
One of the best things you can do for your delicate acid reflux condition is to get your digestive juices going and kick up your metabolism before and after the meal. But you don’t have to run a marathon. A 30-minute walk will do the trick. If you are hosting Thanksgiving, why not allow your guests to get competitive with an active video game match or a potato sack race? On second thought, maybe a walk around the block will do.
Sources:
Have a question? Try the heartburn help forums
April Lentini writes for apartmentguide.com and rentals.com