Sunday, 08 November 2009

• Surviving Thanksgiving with Acid Reflux

  
  (image source: Rabble on Flickr)
  
  

  Thanksgiving can be an acid reflux sufferer’s worst nightmare; asmorgasbord of rich, tempting food to choose from and the inevitableheartburn, 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!

  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.

  1) 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. But many people do not know they have acid reflux. Not all acid reflux patients experience the obvious heartburn. LPR or “Silent Reflux” affects the esophagus and 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.

  2) 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 three 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.

  3) 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 over-do it at the table.

  4) Some foods and beverages must be avoided. 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.

  There are many foods that you should avoid, but here is a short list to help you make wise choices on Thanksgiving:

  Alcohol (red wine is the worst) and caffeinated or carbonated drinks, like soda
  Cranberry sauce and gravy
  Chocolate and peppermint
  Fried and fatty foods
  Tomato products
  Onions, garlic or heavy spices
  Mustard and vinegar
  Citrus fruits and juices

  Dairy products such as milk, cheese, butter and cream sauces
  Stuffing, corn bread and mashed potatoes

  Pumpkin Pie or sugary desserts
  Tofu and nuts
  Bread, whole grains, rice and potatoes
  Egg whites

  5) 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?

  
  Do you suffer from acid reflux? Are there certain foods you have to avoid during the holidays because of disease or allergies?

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