How To Prevent Acid Reflux with Cancer Treatment
Acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, sour stomach, etc. – no matter what you call it, it can be an uncomfortable issue. There are foods to prevent acid reflux and acid reflux with cancer treatment is a common side effect. Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook includes recipes for cancer patients like this easy to tolerate Rice and Pasta recipe. Sometimes caused by the cancer itself or other factors, such as treatment, diet, being overweight, or inactivity. Acid reflux is also a risk factor in developing esophageal cancer so how to prevent acid reflux? For some it can cause a few hours of discomfort, but for others it can be the difference in eating and not eating. Below Savor Health has provided a few tips to prevent and help acid reflux during cancer treatment and beyond. Be sure to try the Rice and Pasta recipe.
Foods To Prevent Acid Reflux: Avoid Trigger Foods
Avoid trigger foods. Certain foods regularly increase acid production in the body causing heartburn, including tomatoes (and tomato products), citrus, onions, peppers, vinegar, and peppermint. Caffeinated, carbonated, and alcoholic beverages are also key food items to avoid. Occasionally certain foods will cause a person distress that are not typical trigger foods. Monitor what you are eating by keeping a food diary to see what foods cause you the most discomfort and avoid them as much as possible. This will help prevent acid reflux.
Easy Rice and Pasta Recipe Great With Any Entree for Foods To Prevent Acid Reflux
Acid reflux with cancer treatment is a common side effect. This cancer cookbook includes chapters to address the different side effects during cancer treatment.
This simple rice and pasta recipe from Eating Well Through Cancer goes great with any entree. Add a little more pizzazz to the dinner menu. You will like this easy recipe because the Rice and Pasta recipe is made in one pan. The entire family enjoys this easy to tolerate pasta with rice recipe. A light mild flavored dish that also packs great flavor and texture by using both rice and noodles. Also, toss with leftover chicken for a quick main dish entree.
| Servings 6 1-cup servings |
- 1 cup rice uncooked
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cup medium noodles
- 3 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
|
- In large nonstick pot coated with nonstick cooking spray, brown rice in butter, stirring.
- Add noodles, broth, salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat, and cook, covered, for 20-30 minutes, or until rice and noodles are done.
Per Serving: Calories 174, Protein (g) 5, Carbohydrate (g) 32, Fat (g) 2, Calories from Fat (%) 10, Saturated Fat (g) 0, Dietary Fiber (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 11, Sodium (mg) 341, Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 lean meat
Terrific Tip: There is nutrition in chicken broth making this a good option for something plain but a change.
Choose Small, Frequent Meals To Help Acid Reflux with Cancer Treatment
Choose small, frequent meals. Instead of eating 3 big meals per day, which is common in an American diet, try to eat small meals 5-6 times daily. This is important for two reasons: it prevents eating too big of a meal (which can cause acid reflux) and avoiding an empty stomach. When your stomach is empty for long periods, acid can accumulate in your stomach. This can increase the pain in your digestive tract. Try your best to have something on your stomach at all times and especially during times of the day that you typically experience acid reflux. While you are undergoing cancer treatment, it is crucial to eat regularly throughout the day to prevent heartburn, but also prevent weight loss and malnutrition. Crackers, pretzels, fruit, and yogurt are good options to snack on to prevent acid reflux.
Medications Can Help Acid Reflux
Take medications as prescribed. Acid-reducing medications can help control the acid production before you eat, as well as when you are having acid reflux. While many are over-the-counter, it is very important to talk to your physician prior to starting one. Many have specific instructions to make them more effective. So it is important to follow the instructions on the box or instructed by the pharmacist.
Stay Upright After Meals To Help Acid Reflux Symptoms
Stay upright after meals. Even if you are fatigued or feel nauseous after a meal, it is important to keep your body upright for at least hour after eating. Lying down after a meal or even a snack, can cause acid to move up your esophagus, causing discomfort or even pain. You don’t have to sit completely straight. Instead. make sure your bed or recliner is elevated at least 45-degree angle to prevent heartburn. Eating right before bed can also be problematic, even if your head is elevated. Wait at least 1-2 hours after a big meal before going to bed.
Few More Tips To Help Acid Reflux with Cancer Treatment:
- Avoid tight fitting clothing
- Eat at a slower pace and chew food well
- Lose weight, especially if you are heavier in the abdominal area
- Don’t smoke. Nicotine can increase acid reflux symptoms.
- Increase your fluids to stay well hydrated
Acid reflux can be a debilitating side effect of cancer treatment. It can cause vomiting, pain, and the inability to eat, which could result in malnutrition. Your nutritional status is important to prevent delays in treatment or hospitalizations. Using these tips above can help prevent the onset of acid reflux during and after a meal plus help you maintain good nutrition during cancer treatment.
Help Acid Reflux and Limit Your Fat Intake
Limit your fat intake. Foods that are high in fat can increase acid production in your stomach, leading to acid reflux. Limiting fried and greasy foods can reduce your risk of getting acid reflux after a meal or snack. When eating out, grilled lean meats, roasted vegetables, and light sandwiches are good alternatives to your typical fast food fare, such as hamburgers, French fries, and fried chicken. Try preparing Oven Fried Chicken from KITCHEN 101 cookbook for a better option or this old fashioned Simple Baked Chicken with rice from Eating Well Through Cancer cookbook. The Rice and Pasta recipe makes a quick side or even a light dinner.
Savor Health Offers Cancer Nutrition for Acid Reflux with Cancer And Foods To Prevent Acid Reflux
We know acid reflux with cancer is often a side effect. Hopefully, this article gives you tips to help prevent acid reflux. Remember, there’s also foods to prevent acid reflux and Savor Health’s dietitians can guide you with cancer nutrition. Visit us at Savor Health to let us counsel you with cancer nutrition. What you eat can make a difference!
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