For whatever reason, my body experiences indigestion about once or twice a year lasting a good several weeks or month. I’m thinking mine is either due to stress, a weird bacteria like H.Pylori, or simply from my food choices. This recent bout of indigestion hit me a few weeks after I had started to eat fewer carbs (specifically… fewer servings of gluten free bread, tortillas, or brown rice). I was eating a little bit more fat than normal and more protein. I’ve been told before by a doctor that my body just doesn’t digest fats all that well, so maybe my indigestion came from the shift in my diet… There’s no way to know for sure!
Regardless of why I had indigestion, I knew I had a way to get rid of it! I had healed it before with food and was determined to do it again. Because, Folks, walking around in the wee hours of the night or having to “sleep” at a 45 degree angle because of feeling like I am going to vomit due to the fact that I simply ate a piece of dark chocolate and a tomato is so NOT worth it! Food is everything. It can make or break you!
Here is what I did to rid myself of indigestion. Trust me. I know. It takes patience, perseverance, determination, and consistency. It’s not easy depriving yourself of coffee or chocolate or citrus fruits or salsa, but just remind yourself that it’s not forever and you will reap great rewards!
I cut out the following ACIDIC foods:
- Coffee or black tea
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods and garlic & onions
- High fat foods like ground beef, egg yolks, or fried foods
- Full fat dairy products (if using butter use unsalted butter or avoid it)
- Oily and creamy sauces such as alfredo
- Tomatoes and Citrus Fruits like lemons, oranges, pineapple, etc.
- Mint as in chewing gum or mints
- Sugary foods and desserts
- Alcohol
- Artificial sweeteners such as sucralose
I ate the following ALKALINE foods instead:
- Vegetables and root vegetables such as red potatoes
- Bone broth and homemade chicken soup
- Grains such as oatmeal, sprouted breads like Ezekiel, and brown rice
- Non-citrus fruits (melons are supposed to help symptoms)
- Lean meats such as fish and chicken
- Egg whites
- Healthy fats such as avocados, coconut oil, walnuts, and flaxseed
- Ginger
- Teas such as white, green or herbal tea (just not peppermint)
- Eat fermented foods such as greek yogurt and kombucha
Recommended lifestyle changes I made:
- Eat 3 to 4 hours before lying down for bed.
- Sleep at a 45 degree angle. Buy a wedge pillow or prop up a few extra pillows.
- Take a walk after dinner. Make sure you’re not too sedentary.
- Eat slowly and mindfully.
- Avoid tight clothing
- Sip on a cup of water and a ½ tsp of baking soda when symptoms arise
- Reduce your stress as much as possible. Take soothing baths and listen to peaceful music.
Now, please note: I am no doctor. I am just sharing my experience with you. These are the things that helped me. Not all of the recommended alkaline foods may help you, and not all of the acidic foods may bother you. I omitted them all and then added them slowly to see which ones caused symptoms. I was surprised at how much a tsp of salted butter bothered my indigestion. Also, a week would go by, and I would feel totally fine thinking that I was free and clear of indigestion. I’d try a spicy food or something that was acidic, and I’d have another flare-up; therefore, please remember that the healing process of the gut can take a good month or longer. The dedication is worth it! In the meantime, enjoy sipping on your herbal teas, bone broth, and kombucha while taking a stroll after dinner. Your gut will thank you!
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/diet-nutrition#finding-triggers
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/foods-that-fight-heartburn#1