Are you a hernia patient? Are you eating the right food? Get the right list of foods which are are less likely to aggravate your hernia.
Non or low-acidic foods will reduce the chances and severity of hernia symptoms. The best food choices for people with hernias are non-acidic, no preservatives, minimally processed and high-fiber diet.
There are some exceptions for those who have food allergies and intolerance to certain foods. Avoiding such diet may be helpful for optimal improvement in symptoms.
Here is what must include in their diet for faster relief and quick recovery.
- non-citrus fruits, such as apples, pears, melons, and berries
- vegetables, such as artichokes, carrots, sweet potatoes, asparagus, squash, green beans, leafy greens, and peas
- whole grains, nuts and seeds, like almonds and chia seeds
- lean protein
- plant-based milk, like soy or almond milk
What is Hernia?
A hernia occurs when an organ of a body that protrudes through its opening where the muscles and tissues hold it. It is a condition in which part of the stomach protrudes where the abdomen opens. There are four kinds of hernia in general such as umbilical hernia, inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, and incisional hernia.
Usually, it is caused due to weakness of muscles and their straining. Sometimes it develops too quickly and sometimes it takes a very long time to form. It is easily curable when diagnosed at an early stage, whereas sometimes it becomes highly fatal.
Also Know: Read more Hernia In Hindi
5 Foods to Include in your Diet
Hernia patients should usually avoid acidic foods as they are more likely to cause indigestion. There are certain food and lifestyle changes that can lower the symptoms of a hernia. We are listing some food suggestions for patients to include in their diet.
-
Leafy greens
As you all know that green vegetables contain uncountable health benefits. They are a treasure of health. Eating green vegetables not only provide rich nutrients to your body but also helps in growth and repairing of the tissues of your body.
Leafy vegetables contain high fibers which makes the process of digestion much easier. Spinach is the best option for hernia patients to include in their diet as it is very high in folate which helps in building body tissues. For hernia patients especially of hiatal hernia, green vegetables are the best source.
-
Whole grains
When it comes to nutrition and health, no one can leave whole grains. Whole grains are a bundle of nutrition containing protein, fiber, vitamin B, antioxidants, trace minerals as well. Whole grains are very beneficial to maintain bowel health.
Try to include some of them in your diet slowly to adopt a healthy dieting plan. Usually, people presume that whole grains are very bad in taste which is really not true. Once you get to know the real method for eating and cooking them, you will start loving it. For hernia patients, whole grains are a must to eat foods.
-
Non- citrus food and juices
Hernia patients should strictly avoid citrus food products. As citrus foods are acidic in nature and can increase the burning sensation of throat and chest due to acidity leading to a severe condition. Including non-citrus foods like bananas, melons, apples, and pears, etc in your daily diet plan can do a really big change.
Non-citrus foods also help in improving digestion process in human body. Once you include these products in your diet, you will start seeing the results instantly.
-
Ginger
You can use ginger in any form whether it is raw, powdered, oil or juice. Ginger is the best thing to include in your diet as it works best for curing chronic indigestion. As you know, indigestion is caused primarily due to problems in emptying of stomach or constipation.
Ginger has properties that help in emptying the stomach quickly and effortlessly. Taking ginger in a soup or food will help to empty the stomach quicker than usual. For hernia patients, this is a must to include item in your diet plan.
-
Low fat, unsweetened dairy products
It is very hard to remove dairy products from your daily diet. But for hernia patients dairy products should be strictly avoided. However, one can include some alternates of high-fat dairy products which are suitable for hernia patients also.
Dairy products are an essential part of a lifestyle and contain very crucial nutrients for the human body. So it is better to stay attached to them in any possible way. Some low-fat dairy products are skimmed milk, low-fat frozen dessert or ice cream, imitation whipped cream, plain low-fat yogurt, fat-free cream cheese or Neufchatel, reduced-fat cheese and many more.
Primary causes of hernia
Indigestion is one of the biggest and primary causes of hernia. Researchers are still studying why some specific foods cause hernia. Generally it is seen that untreated chronic indigestion has transformed into hernia. Diet has played a significant role in treating hernia until now. It can be cured easily by adopting a healthy lifestyle and diet changes. The chronic hernia will always be an exception.
When is the Right Time to Seek Medication?
The best time to go to a doctor is when you are having a continuous and extreme level of indigestion for more than three days. The doctor will assess extreme heartburning, abdominal pain, gas, and other symptoms which do not get cured of usual antacids and dietary changes and he can begin your medications for improving digestive system and other symptoms. Surgery is the last option taken by doctors when your hernia is growing larger causing severe pain. This is a very common method these days.
Also Read: Ayurveda Treatment for Hernia