Can Vegan Eating Help Reduce Acid Reflux?
Going vegan comes with tons of unexpected benefits. Along with helping animals, it may improve digestion, boost energy, and reduce symptoms of acid reflux (aka heartburn or GERD).
Research suggests that foods that contain saturated fat, including meat, dairy, and eggs can make acid reflux symptoms worse. But everyone’s body is different, and if you’re vegan and still experiencing heartburn or acid reflux, there are a few simple changes that may help.
1. Avoid Common Reflux Triggers
Even vegan foods can trigger reflux. If you’re struggling with symptoms, consider reducing or avoiding:
- Spicy foods
- Tomatoes and tomato-based sauces
- Citrus fruits and juices
- Chocolate
- Coffee and caffeinated beverages
- Carbonated drinks
- Alcohol
- Peppermint and spearmint
- Fried and greasy foods
- Large meals late at night
- Garlic
- Onions
Keeping a food journal can help you identify any personal triggers.
2. Eat More Reflux-Friendly Foods
Many vegan foods are gentle on the digestive system and may help minimize symptoms.
Try incorporating more:
- Oatmeal
- Bananas
- Melons
- Brown rice
- Sweet potatoes
- Leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Lentils and beans (if tolerated)
- Tofu and tempeh
- Whole-grain breads and cereals
Eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of a few large ones may also help.
3. Elevate Your Head While Sleeping
If acid reflux tends to strike at night, raising your upper body while you sleep may help keep stomach acid where it belongs. An incline pillow, such as the Avocado Green Mattress Organic Latex Wedge Pillow, can provide comfortable elevation and may help reduce nighttime symptoms.
4. Keep a Vegan Antacid on Hand
When heartburn strikes, an antacid may provide temporary relief. Wonderbelly Heartburn Relief Antacid Tablets are vegan, not tested on animals, and come in Strawberry Milkshake, Tropical Fruit, Lemon Sorbet, and Sweet Mint flavor varieties. Keep a bottle in your bag, desk, or medicine cabinet so you’re prepared when symptoms flare up.
While antacids can be helpful for occasional heartburn, they aren’t a long-term solution. If you find yourself relying on them regularly, it may be time to talk with a health care professional. Frequent or persistent acid reflux could be a sign of an underlying issue that deserves medical attention.
5. Try Natural Remedies for Heartburn
If you’re looking for additional ways to tame the burn, some natural remedies may help soothe occasional heartburn:
- Ginger, papaya, turmeric, and chamomile are often used to help calm the digestive system and may provide relief from heartburn symptoms.
- Baking soda can act as an antacid when dissolved in water and consumed occasionally after meals.
Plant-Powered Eating Helps Everyone
Going vegan can help you feel your best. Plus, every kind meal spares social cows, sensitive chickens, playful pigs, inquisitive fish, and others who value their lives.
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