Acid Reflux
Acid reflux can feel like heartburn or like food and liquid are traveling back up the esophagus, which is called regurgitation. The symptoms typically start within the first two hours after eating and can detract from your dining experience.
Working with a registered dietitian nutritionist can help you identify and eliminate trigger foods that may worsen your acid reflux. They have expert digestive health knowledge and can offer several dietary suggestions to improve your symptoms. learn more about acid reflux and why working with a registered dietitian nutritionist can be helpful.
Understanding Acid Reflux
When you swallow your food, it passes through your esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter into your stomach. Sometimes the sphincter weakens, and food and stomach acid are regurgitated back into the esophagus, which is called gastroesophageal reflux (GER.).
Certain factors can increase the risk of acid reflux, including delayed gastric emptying, smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, pregnancy, living with obesity or being overweight, and taking certain medications. Although some of these factors are out of your control, you can make nutrition changes to improve your symptoms.
Benefits of Working With a Nutritionist to Manage Acid Reflux
Removing foods from your diet to ease your acid reflux may create nutritional gaps in your diet, which may expose you to nutritional deficiencies. Working with a dietitian will ensure you manage your symptoms while still getting enough vitamins, minerals, and pleasure from your meals.
Another benefit of working with a dietitian is the access to highly individualized care. Most digestive disorders and symptoms present differently per person, and working with a nutrition expert can help you find solutions that work for you long-term.
Ways a Nutritionist Can Help With Acid Reflux
Nutrition counseling sessions can effectively increase your knowledge of managing acid reflux. Spending time with a dietitian allows you to ask questions, make goals, and stay accountable.
A typical initial session with a dietitian may include a diet recall (including the timing of your meals), your level of physical activity, a review of your symptoms, identifying trigger foods that worsen your acid reflux, your stress levels, and medications and relevant details from your medical history. This data will help your dietitian make a unique care plan to help resolve your acid reflux.