Healing Foods for Gastritis & Acid Reflux: A Personal Journey
Today, I'm laying it all out on the table—my personal journey with gastritis, acid reflux, and the confusing maze of choosing the right foods.
If you've ever felt lost navigating the world of gastritis or reflux, join me as we explore healing foods that have been game-changers in my gut health journey.
Understanding Gastritis, Acid Reflux, and Heartburn: A Personal Story
Gastritis, acid reflux, and heartburn were unwelcome guests in my life, disrupting meals and stealing my joy. The struggle to choose the right foods was real. But guess what? It's okay not to have it all figured out from the start. Here's where my journey with healing foods began.
Looking back it’s quite clear I wasn’t leading a healthy lifestyle. I’ve always loved fruits & salads and all the good things but I was also young and lazy and picked up whatever microwave meal or takeaway would be quickest.
I had some of my most fun during those years, travelling the world, living with friends, going out more often than not but I don’t think my gut would say the same thing.
It was during my travels I picked up a nasty UTI that led me on to years of antibiotics (more on that another day) and those antibiotics coupled with an unhealthy lifestyle damaged my gut until it couldn’t take anymore.
No one told me that I needed to be looking after the gut microbiome or replenishing the gut bacteria the antibiotics were killing off with probiotics? I was honestly none the wiser and I didn’t bother doing the research until it was too late...
Well it turns out it’s never too late to make a change, so although the doctors weren’t giving me any advice I realised I was going to have to figure it out on my own and down the rabbit hole of nutrition I went.
So here are a few food changes I made to heal my reflux naturally.
Enter Greek yoghurt, my gut's superhero. Creamy, delicious, and a staple in my diet, it became a soothing balm for my stomach. Packed with probiotics, it brought balance to my gut flora and helped ease the discomfort. Hot tip: always add this into your diet when on antibiotics and even better try Kefir this has even more live cultures for your gut!
Fermented foods like sauerkraut also became my lunchtime companions. Loaded with beneficial bacteria, they not only added a burst of flavour but also supported digestion and strengthened my gut's defence against reflux.
Now, let's dive into the powerhouse trio: fibre-rich foods, prebiotics, and anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Fibre-Rich Foods: Think whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. They not only keep things moving in your digestive tract but also provide a feast for the good bacteria in your gut.
Prebiotics: Foods like apples, bananas, chicory root and dandelion greens are prebiotic champions. They act as fuel for the beneficial bacteria, promoting a thriving gut environment. Hot tip: onion, garlic & leeks are also prebiotic but best to avoid with acid reflux.
Anti-Inflammatory Magic: Turmeric, ginger, and fatty fish like salmon are your go-to anti-inflammatory warriors. They help soothe inflammation, a key player in managing gastritis and reflux.
Recipes and Meal Ideas for Gastritis, Acid Reflux & Heartburn
Greek Yoghurt Bowl:
Greek yoghurt
Mixed berries (blueberries, goji berries)
Banana
Peanut butter
Chia seeds
Granola
Salmon and Quinoa Bowl:
Grilled salmon
Quinoa
Spinach
Avocado
Olive oil dressing
Gut Healing Smoothie:
Vegan protein powder
Banana
Spinach
Cinnamon
Collagen powder
Almond milk
Navigating the world of reflux is a journey unique to each of us. Healing foods, like those I've shared today, became my compass, guiding me toward better gut health. Remember, it's okay not to have all the answers—experiment, listen to your body, and embrace the delicious adventure of nurturing your gut.
P.S. If you’re in need of a bit more guidance and want to find out how I can help you book a call or send me an email at hello@resetbynicole.com