Short Answer: Cottage cheese is good for acid reflux. Because it has protein and calcium, which can help neutralize stomach acid and strengthen the LES.
Acid reflux is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach.
In acid reflux, your body fails to close the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), a valve that prevents stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
This can lead to various health problems, such as heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, and esophageal damage.
One of the key factors in managing acid reflux is diet.
What you consume can affect your stomach acidity, which can impact your acid reflux symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage acid reflux, you should consume low-fat, high-protein, and low-acid foods like lean meats, fish, eggs, and nuts, and avoid high-fat, spicy, and acidic foods like fried foods, chocolate, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.
Now, cottage cheese is a type of cheese made from curdled milk.
People usually eat it as a snack, a breakfast item, or an ingredient in salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Cottage cheese is good for acid reflux because it contains protein and calcium, which can help neutralize stomach acid and strengthen the LES.
However, some cottage cheese products may also contain cream, salt, or additives, which can worsen acid reflux symptoms.
One cup of cottage cheese can give you 28 grams of protein (56% of your daily needs) and 187 milligrams of calcium (19% of your daily needs).
Protein can help keep you full and reduce the chances of overeating, which can trigger acid reflux.
Calcium can help maintain the proper pH balance in the stomach and prevent acid from escaping into the esophagus.
However, cream can increase the fat content of cottage cheese, which can slow down digestion and increase stomach pressure.
Salt can cause fluid retention and bloating, which can also put pressure on the stomach.
Additives can cause inflammation and irritation in the esophagus.
Furthermore, cottage cheese is a dairy product and dairy products are generally good for acid reflux.
Because, they can soothe the esophagus and coat the stomach lining.
You can eat one to two cups of cottage cheese per day safely.
More than that can cause gas, diarrhea, or constipation, which can aggravate acid reflux symptoms.
Also, you shouldn’t eat cottage cheese if you are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products, to prevent digestive distress and allergic reactions.
Because, these can also cause acid reflux symptoms.
You can buy fresh cottage cheese in your local market or can order it from online.
Always choose low-fat, low-sodium, and natural cottage cheese products.
Because, these are better for your health and acid reflux.
You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and essential medical care is key to managing acid reflux effectively.
I always recommend my acid reflux patients to follow an acid reflux-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being, and enjoy a longer and healthier life.