Did you know that 95 million people in the United States experience heartburn, acid reflux, and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? And with our fast food diets, those numbers are increasing. No one can escape this disease: adults, children, and even babies are affected by or experience acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD. That’s why it’s important to go on a GERD diet and learn what foods you can eat.

What Causes GERD Heartburn?

The physical cause of heartburn, acid reflux or GERD is when the lower esophageal sphincter (a band at the top of the stomach) relaxes, stomach acid bubbles up into the esophagus and literally burns it, hence the name acidity

Triggering events

Things that can trigger this reflux of acid into the esophagus include eating certain foods that relax that sphincter. Increased anxiety or stress in your life, lack of exercise, and a fast food diet are major contributors to living with GERD. All of these events have an effect on the body: the body increases acid production, the lower sphincter is released, and acid refluxes into the esophagus.

Increased acid can cause other problems

Recent findings show that an acidic condition in the body creates a suitable environment for the growth of viruses, certain bacteria, and cancer. There are also findings that tell us that increased acid production in the body may also be linked to respiratory digestive problems (such as asthma), kidney problems, and associated heart disorders.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

Burning in the chest, small and tight cough, constipation and/or diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia (muscle pain), difficulty swallowing, increased headaches, vomiting and insomnia, increased flatulence and belching, and taste in your mouth are indications that your system has become acidic and acid has invaded your esophagus.

There Are Natural Solutions

Why would you want to take medications prescribed by a doctor, usually called proton pump inhibitors, which really only need to be taken for no longer than two weeks AND can seriously increase acid production in the body?

Doctors routinely like to drop pills at physical symptoms; they rarely address the cause or approach healing from a “whole” or holistic point of view. If you find a doctor who does, stay with him or her.

Traditional Western medicine systems are designed to keep you sick, not make you sick. This is the only way doctors get paid: when you’re sick. And it’s the only way these big drug companies can continue to make a lot of money. They pump out drugs that 1) don’t cure the problem and 2) lead to serious complications that need to be addressed with ANOTHER pill that is twice as bad or worse.

On the other hand, traditional Eastern medical practices are designed to keep you from getting sick, and this can lead to some pretty amazing results. See an acupuncturist if you want pain-free results almost immediately. You will be surprised. But go to a certified practicing acupuncturist with some time under your belt.

What foods are you combining?

Food combination is also a cause for acid production. Most people are unaware of the fact that foods fall into one of two categories (and sometimes in between) acid causing or alkalinity causing.

You can eat acid-causing foods in moderation if your system is in balance. If not, be careful. And when you combine certain foods, you can end up with a tummy ache that will make you howl.

Eat smaller meals more frequently

And try not to combine foods. Foods that are alkaline based include the following:

Vegetables: Asparagus, Artichokes, Cabbage, Lettuce, Onion, Cauliflower, Radish, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Peas, Zucchini, Red Cabbage, Leek, Watercress, Spinach, Turnip, Chives, Carrot, Green Beans, Beetroot, Garlic, Celery, Herbs (straw, wheat and barley), cucumber, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts.

Seeds: Almonds, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, flax, buckwheat semolina, spelt, lentils, cumin seeds or any sprouted seeds.

Drinks: Green Drinks, Fresh Vegetable Juice, Water with a pH balance of 7.0 or greater, Lemon Water (pure water + fresh lemon or lime), Herbal Tea, Vegetable Broth, Unsweetened Soy Milk or Almond Milk.

Whole grains Any bread that contains whole wheat grains will be immensely better than regular white bread.

Fats and oils: Flax, hemp, avocado, evening primrose, borage, coconut oil, and other oil blends (such as Udo’s Choice).

A GERD diet will consist mostly of alkaline foods until you control your acid production.