Ayurvedic Tips for Acidity in pregnancy

ACIDITY IN PREGNANCY Ayurvedic Tips

Heartburn or acidity occurs in almost all pregnant women. Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the symptoms.

Diet Recommendations (Aahar)

• Avoidance of excess greasy or spicy foods
• Irregular eating habits to be avoided
• Adequate water intake
• To use leafy vegetables in excess would help curb acidity
• Sleeping just after taking meal can aggravate acidity. Eating dinner two to three hours before sleeping is ideal
• Excessive intake of the caffeine to be avoided. Smoking should be completely stopped
• Carbonated drinks are to be avoided
• Foods which are rich in fats, such as chocolates cause acidity or acid reflux diseases
• Alcohol should be completely avoided
• The diet should consist of milk with sugar, and a little old rice.
• Other recommended substances are: barley, wheat, rice (at least one year old), cucumber, bitter gourd, green banana, pumpkin, pomegranate, and cow's milk.
• Pomegranate juice andpomegranate powder also help balance the acid in the stomach. It is actually both astringent and bitter, which help balance Pitta.
• Eating small meals more often helps in digestion.

Lifestyle changes (Vihar)

Lifestyle changes to reduce acidity in pregnancy or in general include –

• Reducing anxiety, depression and anger. Stress, anger, impatience, extra-hot spicy foods, and environmental factors such as extreme heat can aggravate Pitta. A few simple changes in lifestyle and diet can help bring Pitta into balance for smoother, more effective digestion and greater calm and contentment.
• Removing irregular eating habits.
• Preventing constipation
• Eating is best done during Pitta period, between 10 A.M. and 2 P.M.; this is when the enzymes are the strongest and digestion will be the most effective.
• Getting adequate sleep and exercise