Our body needs an alkaline medium to process food and convert into energy. (Except for the gastric juice in the stomach, all enzymes and juices are alkaline).
To support it, we must eat foods that contribute to the alkaline medium and help break down food faster. Fruits, dry fruits, raw vegetable juices will come to your rescue here.
Also, during pregnancy, your body is doing a lot of work in growing your baby and trying to conserve energy from all other functions.
So, avoid not just fried foods, but processed foods (including biscuits) out of a packet, milk products, wheat and refined sugar to reduce the workload of your digestive system.
While observing these rules, here are certain foods which are known to have provided relief from heartburn.
1. Coconut Water
You can drink in the morning instead of your morning tea/coffee along with a plate of fruits. It is naturally refreshing, loaded with vitamins and minerals and has fluids that your body can absorb naturally. It is way better than drinking plain water! Fruit juices (avoid straining out the fiber) also work well.
2. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are a well-known remedy for acid reflux in Ayurveda. You can chew on a teaspoon of these seeds after lunch or dinner. Alternatively, sip a cup of tea prepared by simmering 2-3 teaspoons of crushed fennel seeds in a cup of water for 5-8 min. This tea helps heartburn by reducing gastrointestinal tract spasms that cause the stomach acid to flow into the esophagus.
3. Ginger
This is an excellent remedy for not only fighting heartburn but also nausea, indigestion, and morning sickness during pregnancy. You can either keep a small piece of ginger in your mouth or, prepare ginger tea. Add 2-3 small pieces of ginger to a cup of water and bring it to boil.
To transform it into a nice herbal tea, add leaves of lemongrass, mint and tulsi, spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Once it brews well and leaves a reduction. Sip it like your regular tea with a teaspoon of honey. However, remember to have ginger in moderation as it can lead to contractions.
Try these effective home remedies and keep a check on heartburn.
