Hiatus Hernia Diet

The patient should observe certain precautions in eating habits. The foremost amongst these is not to take water with meals, but half an hour before or an hour after a meal. This helps the digestive process considerably and reduces the incident of heartburn. Other important factors in the treatment of Hiatus/Hiatal hernia are to take frequent small meals instead of three large ones and thorough mastication of food so as to break up the food into small particles and to slow down the rate of intake.

Diet for Hiatus Hernia

The diet of the patient should consist of seeds, nuts.

Treatment of Hiatus Hernia:

In the beginning of the treatment, it will be advisable to raise the head end of the bed by placing bricks below the legs of the bed. This will prevent the regurgitation of food during the night. In case of the infant, all efforts should be made to keep the child upright day and night.
The next important step towards treating hiatus hernia is relaxation. An important measure in this direction is diaphragmatic breathing. The procedure is as follows:-
Lie down with both knees bent and feet close to buttocks, Feel relaxed, put both the hands lightly on the abdomen and concentrate the attention on this area. Now breath in, gently pushing the abdomen up under the hands at the same time, until no more air can be inhaled. Then relax, breathing out through the mouth with an audible sighing sound and allow the abdominal wall to sink back. The shoulders and chest should remain at rest throughout.

TREATMENT CHART FOR HIATUS HERNIA

A - HIATAL HERNIA DIET

I. An all-fruit diet for 2 or 3 days, with three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals.

II. Thereafter, adopt a well-balanced diet on the following lines:

1. Upon arising: A glass of lukewarm water with half a freshly squeezed lime and a teaspoon of honey.
2, Breakfast: Fresh fruits and a glass of milk, sweetened with honey,
3. Lunch: Steamed vegetables as obtainable, 2 or 3 whole wheat wheat tortilla and a glass of buttermilk.
4. Mid-afternoon: A glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice.
5. Dinner: A bowl of fresh green vegetable salad, with limejuice dressing, sprouted seeds and fresh home¬made cottage cheese or a glass of buttermilk.
6. Bedtime: A glass of fresh milk or an apple.

AVOID:

Flesh foods, fry foods, condiments, spices, white sugar, white flour and products made from white flour and sugar, tea, coffee, refined cereals and tinned and canned foods.

NOTE:

Always follow the under mentioned rules regarding eating:-

1. Do not drink water with meals, but half an hour before and one hour after a meal.
2. Eat very slowly and chew your food as thoroughly as possible.
3. Never eat to full stomach.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1. Raise the head end of the bed by placing wooden blocks or bricks below the legs of the bed.
2. Relaxation through diaphragmatic breathing.

Hiatal hernia diet

A hiatal hernia is also referred to as a hiatus hernia. This is a common medical problem that results in the upper part of the stomach protruding through a weakened or torn portion of the diaphragm.  Most people who suffer from this condition do not have any visible symptoms and if they do occur they may vary in nature and severity between individuals however some of the common symptoms noticed are heartburn, difficulty swallowing, constipation, nausea, vomiting and chest pain. If hiatal hernia is accompanied by GERD then the esophagus gets exposed to the back flow of acidic stomach contents. Thus causing damage to the esophagus and ultimately leading to esophageal ulcers and bleeding from the esophagus. If this is not treated in time it could lead to esophageal cancer.

It is essential that people with a hiatal hernia follow a proper diet, as proper nutrition with a hiatal hernia diet is the first step toward treating this condition. The ideal hiatal hernia diet to follow is one that is packed with the right nutrition and has all the ingredients that don’t irritate or aggravate the condition. It is not only what you eat but also how you eat that can help treat the problem. It is important to eat smaller meals and eat every two to three hours. You must also avoid eating immediately before or after bedtime. People who are on a hiatal hernia diet should avoid eating anything in the last two to three ours before they go to bed. Avoid eating too fast as you tend to swallow air along with your food  and this also makes it harder for the stomach to properly digest the food you have eaten. Not chewing your food sufficiently also decreases the amount of saliva that gets mixed with your morsel of food.

Saliva plays a very important role in the digestion of food as it helps to break down the food and start the process of digestion and this reduces the strain on your digestive system. If you are addicted to tea, coffee or alcohol you have to cut down on your intake as these are loaded with acids that lead to an increase in acid indigestion. Fruits like bananas, avocados, papaya and pineapple neutralize the contents of your stomach. Avoid green grapes, oranges, lemons and green apples, as they are recipe for disaster and are considered acidic fruits. So it goes with out saying that a person suffering from hiatal hernia should completely avoid spicy food or any foods that have a high acid content in them. The most important thing to remember is to avoid having water during your meals but at least thirty minutes before you eat as this helps in the digestive process.

Finally maintaining a journal when on a hiatal hernia diet can help you keep a track of the foods that increase the symptoms of hiatus hernia and this can go a long way in keeping you happy and healthy.