A reader asks:
First, eat small meals frequently rather than a few large meals. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can make it physiologically easier for acid to go up, so eating less will help. And, don't drink too much - drinking should be done between meals rather than while you eat as it impairs digestion. Also, avoid irritants such as very spicy foods, very acidic foods, etc (you might need to do some trial and error).
If this does not help, here is a list of foods that can help:
- Papaya and Papaya Enzyme tablets,
- Herbal teas like peppermint and ginger teas (drink between meals)
- Raw garlic (crush a clove and add it to salad dressings - eat daily),
- Dry foods like raw almonds (keep a stash of soaked and dehydrated almonds to snack on) -- no Saltine crackers here! ;-)
- Fermented vegetables and cultured foods: raw sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir...
- Bland foods if you also have morning sickness, like millet, quinoa and other pseudograins.
I also found that relaxing as much as possible was key to keep morning sickness and heartburn at bay. I'm the kind of person who expresses stress through the stomach and the digestive system, and anything upsetting or unsettling triggers stomach aches and nausea. Doing yoga and taking it easy can do you a lot of good, especially when you're pregnant!
Are you interested in having a raw food based pregnancy? You only have one chance to give this new life the very best chance for health possible! Do it right! This book fills in the gaps in the raw food movement, so you can read a single book to get your answers without having to read a skimpy section on pregnancy in ten different books about raw food!What's the best raw natural way to cure pregnancy heartburn?Heartburn can affect the best of us during pregnancy. Here are some ways to make sure the symptoms are as mild as possible!
First, eat small meals frequently rather than a few large meals. Hormonal changes in pregnancy can make it physiologically easier for acid to go up, so eating less will help. And, don't drink too much - drinking should be done between meals rather than while you eat as it impairs digestion. Also, avoid irritants such as very spicy foods, very acidic foods, etc (you might need to do some trial and error).If this does not help, here is a list of foods that can help:
- Papaya and Papaya Enzyme tablets,
- Herbal teas like peppermint and ginger teas (drink between meals)
- Raw garlic (crush a clove and add it to salad dressings - eat daily),
- Dry foods like raw almonds (keep a stash of soaked and dehydrated almonds to snack on) -- no Saltine crackers here! ;-)
- Fermented vegetables and cultured foods: raw sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir...
- Bland foods if you also have morning sickness, like millet, quinoa and other pseudograins.
I also found that relaxing as much as possible was key to keep morning sickness and heartburn at bay. I'm the kind of person who expresses stress through the stomach and the digestive system, and anything upsetting or unsettling triggers stomach aches and nausea. Doing yoga and taking it easy can do you a lot of good, especially when you're pregnant!
Note: this book is aimed at both raw vegans and raw vegetarian, with recommendations for both. It does not focus on meat-based raw pregnancies.
Didn't know that about papaya. I will try that. I've had non pregnancy related moderate-severe heartburn for awhile and I think everyone must have different triggers. Fermented foods are a hard for me. I have to eat only in small doses and no kombucha at all. Garlic also is a huge trigger. Two doctors have said to me NO peppermint, even though that seems like a logical choice (they even put it in tums!). Sometimes ginger is also a trigger. Two natural things that have helped me and seem safe for pregnancy are slippery elm lozenges and aloe vera juice.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, when I've had heartburn I've sometimes noticed that peppermint makes it worse! And garlic can definitely make it worse.
ReplyDeleteI second slippery elm--it's wonderful.
My digestive system is my Achilles heel for stress too!
love
Ela
Really great article, wish I had read this while I was pregnant! I also found DGL (made from licorice root - you can buy this at the health food store,) was amazing for heartburn. It creates a healthy coating of mucous in your esophagus which stops the acid from burning your skin. Love your writing Joanna!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brooke!
ReplyDelete