Diet for hiatal hernia sufferers mayo clinic

A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach enters the chest cavity through a hole in the diaphragm. Usually, a hiatal hernia does not cause noticeable symptoms.
Researchers are not sure why they develop, but hiatal hernias are very common, estimated to impact up to 60 percent of people by the age of 60.

The primary symptom of a hiatal hernia is indigestion; certain foods and lifestyle habits can increase a person’s chances of experiencing uncomfortable symptoms.

Unless a person has an unusually severe and problematic hiatal hernia, the best way for them to reduce or prevent symptoms is to make dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

Foods to Eat

Non or low-acidic foods will reduce the likelihood and severity of hiatal hernia symptoms. The best food choices for people with hiatal hernias are non-acidic, minimally processed, and contain dietary fiber.

There are some exceptions for those who have food intolerances. Elimination diets may be helpful for optimal improvement in symptoms.

Safe foods to eat may include:

• leafy greens
• beans and peas
• whole grains
• lean proteins, including tofu and fish
• whole nuts and seeds
• non-citrus fruits and juices
• artichoke and asparagus

• ginger
• low-fat, non-sweetened dairy products
• cardamom
• coriander
• apple cider vinegar
• non-caffeinated teas, especially green teas
• cinnamon

Fermented or cultured foods that are rich in probiotics (acid-neutralizing stomach bacteria) may also help reduce hiatal hernia symptoms.

It is important to note that consuming processed sugar alongside probiotics may be counterproductive. Sugar supports the growth of stomach microbes that destroy and consume probiotics.

This means that probiotic ice creams, juices, yogurts, sweetened protein powders, and gummies are typically not a good source of probiotics.

Foods to Avoid

Avoiding certain foods might help reduce and prevent symptoms of indigestion, including heartburn, bloating, gas, and regurgitation.

It is best for people with a hiatal hernia to stay away from foods that are acidic, rich, oily, or contain preservatives.

Foods to avoid may include:

• fried or oily foods
• fatty foods
• red meat
• caffeine
• alcohol
• cocoa and chocolate
• tomatoes and tomato sauces
• soft drinks and carbonated drinks
• most types of mint, such as peppermint and spearmint
• candies

• high amounts of cooking oils
• garlic, onions, green onions, shallots, scallions, leeks, and chives
• cucumbers
• high-fat dairy products
• salty foods
• deli meats
• pre-prepared or fast foods
• bread and cereals
• sweetened juices or teas

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March 7, 2018

A hiatal hernia is a condition when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest. Heartburn is the most common symptom of a hiatal hernia. Others include difficulty in swallowing, nausea, excessive burping, chest pain and abdominal pain. It causes pain and discomfort after and during eating food. Therefore, it is important to avoid food that is likely to cause acid reflux. Diet plays a very important role in treating a hiatal hernia apart from hernia surgery. People aged 50 or are above 50, can suffer from this condition.

Let us see what to include and what to avoid in the diet if you are suffering from a hiatus hernia.

Foods to avoid:
The foods that are highly acidic and can aggravate GERD. These foods have acid that may not be good for the stomach. These include chocolates, garlic, onions, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, dairy products like milk, ice cream, cream-based foods, oil, butter, citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, grapes, spicy food, tomato-based sauces, alcohol, peppermint and mint.

Foods to Eat:
People with heartburn should eat and cook their food in a healthy way. Let us see what foods can help heat burn. These include healthy fats like avocado, coconut and olive oils, walnuts, clarified butter, grains such as oatmeal, multigrain, brown bread, brown rice, foods high in protein such as turkey, salmon, chicken, eggs, legumes, fruits such as banana and apple, vegetables such as peas, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, baked potato, green beans, low fat yogurt, herbal drinks such as tea.

Some important tips on diet include the following:

• Eat smaller and more frequent meals than a larger meal at a time.
• Chew food very well in order to aid digestion.
• Have moist food as much as possible.
• Eat in a calm and relax place.
• Do not eat while standing.
• Do not sleep immediately after eating.
• Lose weight if overweight.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol completely.
• Visit your doctor regularly for follow-ups.

By implementing these diet changes, you can increase the chances of recovery after a hiatal hernia surgery faster and healthily. Talk to your doctor to know more about the treatment options. This condition may be troubling but gets better after adjusting the diet.