Practical Ways To Ease Acidity With Food

expert Radhika Iyer Talati

Radhika Iyer Talati shares ways by which you can ease the agony of acidity

Hyperacidity is one of the most common ailments seen across all ages and classes of society. Pitta, or acidity, is caused when there is excess acid production in the body, causing stomach acid to leak back into the oesophagus.

While acids are detrimental to the digestive process, an imbalance in their production can cause serious health issues and a lot of discomfort. It is, therefore, important to focus on what you eat, how much you eat and how often you eat.

It is said that ‘hurry’, ‘worry’, and ‘curry’ are the three main culprits in acidity. The Indic sciences believe that whatever you eat adds to the pranic energy of your body. Our ancients thus advised us to eat slowly, becoming mindful of all that we are ingesting. The process of eating food must be calming, helping us to forget our worries.

Here are some effective tips to deal with acidity the Indic way. These are suggestions that are time-tested, safe and effective. Try them out to rid yourself of the menace of acidity.

Avoid Too Much Spice

Excessive use of chilli, cinnamon, clove, mustard or any garam masala powder can aggravate the acidic juices in the abdomen, making it difficult to digest food. Fennel, or saunf, is known to work wonders on an acidic stomach. Infuse a tablespoon of fennel seeds in a jug of water and drink one cup at the end of every meal. You can also chew a few fennel seeds after every meal.

Avoid Salty And Sour Foods...
Especially those that come laden with flavouring agents. Move away, also, from fast food and stale food. Get rid of those chips and other off-the-shelf farsan packets if you experience acid reflux. It will only make the situation worse.

Increase The Intake Of Fluids
Add more water, fibrous fruits, cold milk and loads of fresh seasonal vegetables to your daily diet. Eat food that is freshly prepared at home.

Know About Incompatible Foods…
And consciously avoid them. Wrong food combinations adversely affect the digestive fire, or ‘jatharagni’, leading to an accumulation of acidic foods, causing indigestion. Examples of incompatible food combinations are milk and fruits, yoghurt and milk, onions and yoghurt, and eggs and milk.

Reduce Excessive Intake Of Caffeine
Cut down on tea and coffee. It will make your condition worse, triggering heartburn and aggravating acid reflux.

Create A Schedule For Your Meals
Eat at least three meals a day and absolutely avoid eating post sunset. It will help your body to ease digestion and reduce acidity.

Don’t Eat When You Are Stressed Or Upset

In that state, it is hard for the stomach to digest food effectively. Sit down to eat and chew your food well. There is an old Ayurvedic saying, “If you eat standing up, death looks over your shoulder”. So always sit and eat; let it be a calming, mindful experience.

Stroll After Meals

Get into the practice of strolling for at least 10 minutes after meals. This Ayurvedic prescription helps food move through the stomach into the intestines faster, aiding digestion.

Try these tips to decrease acid reflux, prevent diseases from occurring, and improve your overall quality of life.

Images: Shutterstock

Also see: Eat right in the rain

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