Indigestion typically is characterized as a feeling of burning pain or discomfort in the stomach or lower chest area. It sometimes is referred to as heartburn, which makes a person feel as if the center of his or her chest is burning. There are many causes of indigestion and many over-the-counter medications for it, but some people prevent it with a diet for indigestion. The most common type of indigestion diet includes several types of dairy products, such as yogurt and milk.
There are many causes of indigestion, including poor diet choices, stress and anxiety. One of the most common reasons for this pain is that the sufferer has gastric acid irritation in his or her stomach or esophagus. The stomach acids that typically work to digest food cause the issues. People who have this issue often usually have a stomach ulcer or a condition called gastritis. The diet for indigestion, high in dairy, works to coat the stomach lining to prevent it from producing unhealthy levels of gastric acid.
The best indigestion diet is one that prevents the harmful gastric fluids from being produced in the first place. It includes dairy milk, sour cream, cheese, cottage cheese and yogurt. Some people add natural honey to dairy milk and drink it before eating a meal. An ayurvedic diet promotes consuming cumin seeds, ginger and garlic to prevent indigestion.
Some foods actually trigger heartburn, so the best diet for indigestion eliminates them from regular consumption. These foods include fried foods, peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, pickled foods and fatty meats such as bacon. Foods that have high acidity, such as citrus fruits and juices, onions and tomato products, including ketchup, should be avoided. Other things not included in a diet for indigestion are drinks that are high in acidity, caffeine and carbonation, including coffee, soda and tea.
Many people will benefit from a diet for indigestion by making small lifestyle changes as well. This might include eating six small meals per day, rather than two or three large meals each day. Avoiding eating large meals in the late evening and waiting two or three hours after eating before lying down also might prevent indigestion. Some people create heartburn journals and record everything they eat, as well as the time of day and amounts, to learn what triggers their indigestion. For example, one person might not be able to eat hot peppers without experiencing heartburn, but spicy foods might not irritate another person’s stomach at all.