Super Foods for Seniors

Hello friends,

it’s now September, back to school, the month of my birth and it’s also time to start back with the “Super Foods for Seniors” Feature. When last we met, I listed out the foods that aid in Nausea Relief, so if you overdid it during the Labor Day weekend, you might want to check it out click here

Today we will continue with the Tummy Tamers, 16 foods to quiet the stomach rumbles, provide relief from gas, bloating and indigestion.

Artichokes

helps your liver form bile which is a juice necessary for good digestion. They are also great as appetizers.

Bananas

Bananas calms chronic coughing which when combined with a burning sensation in your throat after eating signals heartburn.

Brown Rice

Whole grain foods such as brown rice help soak up excess acid and also reduces the risk of ulcers

Bitter Greens

Make your salads with bitter greens, like watercress, endive and dandelion. These herbs stimulate digestive juices which is great for older adults that don’t produce enough stomach acid.

Ginger

Ginger is also a “bitter” the increases the flow of saliva and gastric juices, speeding up digestion and stimulating appetite.

Peppermint

Peppermint tea soothes bloating, gas and indigestion after meals. The herb stimulates the flow of bile, helping to break down fats and encourages you to burp.

Cinnamon

Contains essential oils that help break down fat and triggers movement in your digestive tract.

Yogurt

Calcium does a body good and those who are lactose-intolerant can often digest yogurt easier than other dairy foods.

Caraway

Caraway seeds can help cut down on gas caused by cabbage. Next time you make your favorite cabbage dish, sprinkle in a few seeds. They can also be steeped in hot water for 10-15 minutes for a soothing tea.

Fennel

Fennel seeds contain a compound which relieves muscle spasms in the stomach and intestines. When you need relief from gas, heartburn, indigestion or a stomachache try chewing a few seeds or steep them in a cup of boiled water for 10-15 minutes.

Gum

Some times heartburn can be treated with a stick of gum. Gum stimulates the flow of saliva which contains natural antacids. The extra spit neutralizes acid in the esophagus an washes it back into the stomach.

Water

Douse the burn of stomach acid with a glass of water. It will wash the acid out of your esophagus and down into your stomach. It also dilutes the acid in your stomach to prevent heartburn.

Pears

Eating a high fiber Asian pear can help beat heartburn, speed up digestion and fend off constipation.

Cauliflower

Low fat veggies like cauliflower, spinach and asparagus should be substituted for fried foods which causes your stomach to empty slower.

Celery

Replace the crunchiness of chips with vegetable tray of celery for a 6 calorie snack that also helps to control heartburn.

Peppers

Fight fire with fire – chili peppers contain capsaicin which increases the blood flow to the stomach, encourages digestive enzymes and kills the bacteria that causes gas.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS – EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!