Suffering from acid reflux, gluten allergy? Here’s how good food can keep these at bay

In the past, you may have experienced instances where you felt unwell without understanding the apparent cause. For instance, you may have sneezed a number of times when in a highly polluted area. Or your fingers may have started itching the minute you ate a dish with a specific ingredient in it. Today, we have become fairly familiar with many of these common health conditions like allergies that assail us.

A lot of awareness is thanks to social media, with celebrities and influencers sharing their health experiences freely. This open discussion has made conditions like gluten intolerance, acid reflux, allergies and other common conditions more known to us. But as we learn more about these issues, it’s also essential to understand how the food we eat can help us manage them better.

Everybody knows that food makes us healthy. However, it also plays an important role in controlling problems like lactose intolerance, autoimmunity, acid reflux and celiac disease. By making informed dietary choices, we can ease symptoms and improve our overall wellbeing. Michael Greger, MD, author of the New York Times bestseller How Not to Die, has extensively spoken about the importance of evidence-based nutrition. He urges us to use food as a tool to add years to our lives and improve our quality of life. His research highlights how being mindful of what we eat can help deal with allergies and other health concerns.

World Food Day, celebrated on October 16th, was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations to raise awareness about hunger and food security around the world. The day aims to promote efforts to eliminate hunger and improve nutrition for everyone. It also allows us to reflect on our food systems and consider how we can make a positive impact on the world. On this special day, let’s learn more about how food can help us fight various health conditions like allergies.

Lactose intolerance

It’s estimated that about 65 per cent of people lose the ability to digest lactose after infancy. Lactose intolerance is a common health condition that occurs when your body struggles to digest lactose, which is the sugar found in milk and dairy products. As lactose intolerance is caused by dairy products, the best solution is to avoid regular milk and dairy products, as they lead to uncomfortable symptoms like bloating and gas. Instead, you can opt for alternatives such as lactose-free milk, almond milk, soy milk and coconut yoghurt.

Autoimmune diseases

Recently, several celebrities have opened up about their struggles with autoimmune diseases. American musician Lady Gaga, who suffers from fibromyalgia, an autoimmune disease that causes body pain and fatigue, has been very vocal about her experience, sharing how the condition affects her daily life and wellbeing.

Autoimmunity occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own healthy cells, leading to issues like inflammation. In such a scenario, managing your diet is very important for supporting your immune system ably.

To help boost your health while struggling with an autoimmune disease, focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like walnuts and flaxseeds are beneficial. It’s also a good idea to avoid processed foods, refined sugars and unhealthy fats.

Acid reflux

Many people complain of suffering from acid reflux—when the stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus, causing discomfort and a burning sensation in the chest region. This condition can be triggered by certain foods, lifestyle and eating habits. To help manage acid reflux, it is important to first recognise which foods cause acid reflux and then focus on foods that are less likely to trigger your symptoms.

You can opt for oatmeal, bananas, melons, green vegetables and lean proteins to escape the pains of acid reflux. It’s better to avoid spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomato and chocolates, as these are known to worsen symptoms in some people.

In addition to this, it is one must avoid carbonated drinks and alcohol as they often trigger discomfort.

Celiac disease

Celiac disease, which most people know as gluten allergy, is caused by reaction to eating gluten. Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye. For people with this condition, eating gluten can cause digestive issues, fatigue and skin problems.

In order to manage celiac disease, you must adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. It’s essential to focus on gluten-free foods and include fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, eggs and dairy products in your diet. You can also enjoy gluten-free grains like rice, quinoa and corn.

Allergies

Allergic reactions are the body’s response to a foreign protein, usually harmless to others. Food allergies that are caused by consuming certain kinds of foods, are the most common, followed by inhalant allergies and others.

Many of us can be allergic to common food items like nuts, dairy, eggs and shellfish. Once you get diagnosed of having any or some of these allergies, it’s important to stay away from the specific allergens to keep yourself safe. Instead, learn to choose safer alternatives—for example, if you’re allergic to dairy, use plant-based milk like almond or oat milk. If you have a nut allergy, seeds of sunflower or pumpkin make great snack substitutes.

Remember to always read food labels carefully to avoid hidden allergens and consult a doctor or a nutritionist for guidance on dietary choices for preventing food allergies of any kind.

So, understanding what to eat and what to avoid is essential for managing health conditions like lactose intolerance, autoimmunity, acid reflux and celiac disease. And by making informed diet changes, we can definitely improve our health and quality of life.