Reflux in the morning: breakfast and things to do to avoid it

Waking up in the morning with a feeling of heavy gastroesophageal reflux can negatively affect the whole day, starting with breakfast. Often the appetite disappears and you feel like skipping what is the most important meal of all. Dr. Riccardo Roveda, nutritionist biologistexplained to Gazette Active what are the guidelines to follow if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux and why it is always important to eat breakfast.

Reflux is often one of the reasons people tend to skip breakfast. Why is it a mistake?

“Because reflux is amplified by a more acidic gastric environment, it is important not to fast after waking up, in order to ‘buffer’ the gastric acidity. Of course you have to be careful about what you eat, but you absolutely have to eat”.

What are the foods to avoid at breakfast if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux?

“It is absolutely necessary to avoid – especially on an empty stomach – coffee and chocolate, which strongly promote reflux. You also need to be careful with very acidic fruits such as citrus fruits. Also, it is necessary to do beware of dairy products and yogurtbecause initially they have a “buffer” power, so they give the impression of improving reflux and therefore make you feel better, but it has been seen that these foods strongly stimulate gastric secretions 2 or 3 hours after ingestion”.

What should we eat? What would be the ideal breakfast?

“As regards the aforementioned yoghurt and milk, it would be more appropriate to take vegetable ones, for example soy-based. Also recommended are whole grain cereals or wholemeal bread, which buffer the acidity, together with a veil of dried fruit cream. Some types of fruits are fine, such as mela, banana or pear. As for rusks and biscuits in themselves, however, they are not recommended, but it depends a lot on the sensitivity of the person: in some subjects they could still stimulate reflux “.