I am looking for ACIDLESS sorbets/cordials - for indigestion

[limetta]

Dear Food.com,

I am hoping that you will be able to help me please with any or all of these enquiries about sorbets and cordials.

I enjoy both but suffer severe acid reflux so am looking for something to remove the acidity or to have acidless fruit.

1] Do you have a tried and tested recipe for an acidless version of one or more of: orange, lime, raspberry or strawberry sorbets or cordials?

2] Do you know of any retailers in the UK from whom I can order acidless versions of fruit such as Shamouti oranges, Mediterranean limettas, [persian limes? acidless?], champagne raspberries, which I have been told are acidless. If so, do you also have the recipes for converting them into sorbet or cordial?

I have difficulties with soya, corn, maize, rice and oats. I can cope with white refined wheatflour but have difficulties with the fibre of vegetables, fruits and grains.

I suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and bloating so I need something that is very easy to digest and does not have artificial sweeteners. I can only have small amounts of sugar as it ferments in my gut and makes me ill.

Maybe I am looking for the impossible but then I thought that you might be able to help me.

Thank you very much for your kind help,

Best wishes

limetta

[Jacqueline in KY]

limetta, I am not familiar with acidless fruit, as a matter of fact I have never made a sorbet or cordial either. I am hopeless here but will Google and come back if I find anything.

Edited to add that I did not find anything but did find a list of foods to limit or avoid for acid reflux.

[Molly53]

Have you been referred to an allergist? If not, I would ask for a referral sooner rather than later.

The doctor telling you you cannot be helped is insensitive at best. Is it possible to change doctors?

One thing you CAN do is put gravity to work for you by raising the head of your bed a couple of inches higher than the foot.

I wonder if you wouldn't be successful subbing agave syrup, real maple syrup, molasses or unpasteurized honey for any sugar called for in recipes. If I were in your shoes, I'd sure give it a try.

Oddly, one of the reasons for heartburn is an acid imbalance in the stomach. A daily shot of cider vinegar and a spoonful of natural honey is an old-timey remedy for many gut ailments. Adding a natural vinegar such as Braggs to your daily diet might give you some relief. You might be able to find it at your local health food store.



The recipe names below are clickable links to recipes that you might find tolerable:

Take a look at Harvest Drink (Molasses Shrub) or Ginger Water for a refreshing summer drink.

In moderation, ginger is one of the best foods for acid reflux. It has been used throughout history as an anti-inflammatory and as a treatment for gastrointestinal conditions. Ginger root can easily be peeled, sliced, diced or shaved using a grater. You can use it while cooking or add it to smoothies.
Easy Ginger Tea (sub an alternative sweetener for the sugar)
Ginger Lassi (make your own yogurt ~ Greek Yogurt to help restore the natural flora in the gut)
Honey-Ginger Lassi
Kem Trai Vai Voi Gung- Lychee and Ginger Ice
Ginger Ice Cream
Ginger Lemongrass Infused Coconut Sorbet
Fresh Ginger Granita


Aloe vera is famous as a natural healing agent and also seems to treat acid reflux. It is available as a living plant, but the leaves or liquid form are sometimes sold separately in groceries and health food stores.
Allo Aloe
Aloe Cucumber Refresher
My Favorite Smoothie

Bananas make a great snack, and at pH 5.6, they’re usually great for people with acid reflux. However, about 1 percent of acid refluxers find that their condition is worsened by bananas. So keep in mind that what works for most people may not work for you.
Maple Banana Breakfast Shake
Chai Banana Smoothie
Iced Banana Latte

Melon (pH 6.1) is good for acid reflux. However, as with bananas, a small percentage (1 percent to 2 percent) of those with acid reflux need to avoid it. Also included in the good-for-reflux category are honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon.
Agua Fresca de Melon (Watermelon Sparkling Water)
Horchata de Melon

For thousands of years, parsley has been used as a medicinal herb to settle the stomach and aid digestion.
Dr. Oz's Green Drink
Spicy Cleansing Juice
Spring Cleanse
Parsley and Carrot Drink

Master List of Typical pH for Common Foods (the higher the number, the lower in acidity they'll be): http://pickyourown.org/food_acidity_ph_list.htm (link)

[Pantry Savvy]

Hi,

I have had acid reflux for over 5 years now. The thing that I do is I stray away from acidic foods like limes, lemons, anything with vinegar base. I know I have checked the Internet and found that they have tons of homemade recipes such as soy sauce, ketchup, etc. where you can regulate the amount of acid in foods. You will have to make certain choices of ingredients in recipes your find, especially that you have I.B.S. Wondering if you have problems with "gluten" because this also mimics stomach problems.

I have Lichen Planus which is a skin disorder inside the mouth and I cannot eat anything that is spicy or vinegar base. I have made choices to be pain free from changes and challenges over the years. They have lots of sites also where you can make "gluten-free" homemade recipes. This way you know what u are eating.

A little research and dedication towards finding the right recipes and placing them in a binder will help you along; as you will definitely know these recipes work for you. Once I print a recipe and have made it I "tick" it off; this way I know I can eat it with minimal problems.

Hope this helps.

Susan

[Molly53]

I was wondering if it was something to do with gluten, too, Susan.

[kiss me I am a nutritionist!]

Hi limetta,
I am so sorry you having such difficulty with sugars and fruits! I can tell you that most fruits do contain natural acids, such as citrus and berries. I would recommend to refrain from consuming fruits in the berry/citrus family and choose less acidic fruits (bananas, peaches..), even the fruits advertised to be "less acidic" are still more acidic than the ones mentioned above. I definitely agree with the postings as to get in contact with an allergist , they will be able to help you narrow down what food groups may need to avoid. As far a sugars go, anything starch based with sugars naturall occuring in it, may be interacting with your stomach acids and "fermeting" which causes gas and abdominal discomfort. Have you been tested for celiac's disease?

GOOD LUCK!

Rebecca
Registered Dietitian

[Pantry Savvy]

I would say "it's important to get checked out if you are allergic to gluten". I am sure that if you also have an allergic reaction to gluten then your stomach is really in turmoil.

With the posting also this person is right, stay away from acidic fruits. I use blueberries (blueberries are listed as an acidic food but I find them sweet in my book), peaches, mangos, apple (sweet). I stay away from strawberries as they are in their natural state but they are acidic also.

Making a low-cal smoothie with fresh blueberries is good for you. I put blueberries and sometimes mangoes on top of my cooked oatmeal (no sugar added and no milk). It's funny once you get used to it; it becomes part of your life and then you just do -- not if thinking about it.

You can do a search on the internet for "acidic foods", even better here is a list:
http://www.angelfire.com/az/sthurston/acid_alkaline_foods_list.html

List of Non-Acidic Fruits & Vegetables:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/336993-list-of-non-acidic-fruits-vegetables/

I think this is a good start. Don't hesitate to ask any questions.

Susan

[Pantry Savvy]

Limetta, just ask your doctor for a referral slip for an allergist. Most general practioners don'y deal a lot with allergies. They usually send you off to one. Don'y by shy, just ask for a referral, if you don't ask it may be you will most likely not get one.

Sometimes I make decisions for my health that I think are important even though the doctor has not mentioned it. I asked for a skin specialist as I had problem skin. He gave me a referral and then off I went to go make an appointment.

Take the plunge !!

[WhiskingWings]

Hi, after reading through the comments and the OP I have to agree that the acid reflux is likely due to LOW acid in the stomach (usually caused by over-consumption of refined grains, meat products and antacids), which can also lead to issues with fructose and cellulose (which I'm gathering from the OP comment regarding issues with fruit / whole grains). I don't have a history of the complaints so can't know how best to help, but as far as acidless fruits the only ones I know of that are low acid are bananas and pears.

Specific questions can be directly mailed to me, I'm not an MD but have nutritional practitioner status and specialize in allergies and intolerances.

[WhiskingWings]

The only issue with the acid/alkaline list is that it is based on the effects of the food on the BLOOD, not the stomach. While alkalinizing foods are important, they will not necessarily help if someone has a problem like ulcers or erosion of the esophageal lining. In that case some of these items (like lemon for instance, a strongly alkalizing food) can be harmful.

[Molly53]

WhiskingWings wrote:
Hi, after reading through the comments and the OP I have to agree that the acid reflux is likely due to LOW acid in the stomach (usually caused by over-consumption of refined grains, meat products and antacids), which can also lead to issues with fructose and cellulose (which I'm gathering from the OP comment regarding issues with fruit / whole grains). I don't have a history of the complaints so can't know how best to help, but as far as acidless fruits the only ones I know of that are low acid are bananas and pears.

Specific questions can be directly mailed to me, I'm not an MD but have nutritional practitioner status and specialize in allergies and intolerances.

That's true! I was between scrips for acid reflux one time and depended upon antacids (Tums) to control the discomfort....the more I took them, the more I NEEDED to take them. It got worse and worse until I got back on my prescription again.

[WhiskingWings]

Alcohol and caffeine, as well as refined sugar, hurt the acid balance too. Ironically, if you don't have an ulcer condition taking either 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice 30 mins before a meal or supplementing with betaine hydrochloride capsules 30 mins before meals will vastly help the stomach.

[Karyl Lee]

For healing of stomach and GI issues, or at least, great abatement of them, you can also try taking DGL tablets. That is deglycyrrhizinated licorice, where the potentially harmful component that MIGHT raise blood pressure is removed, and the remaining components together aid the digestive tract lining in self-repair. This has been tested extensively by individuals I have known and helped at least to vastly reduce the medicine being used, as well in some cases allowing discontinuation of drugs altogether. It must be chewed before any significant meal, but helps with peptic ulcers, hiatal (sp?) hernias, and a number of other GI complaints. If taken daily for a year it really helps with gastric erosion. That's from my experiences working in a health food and supplement store for 20 years.

[christymarsh]

As a nutritionist I agree that I would fully look into food sensitivities! Gluten and dairy are the biggest culprits out there! I would also try to eat lots of good fiber, plenty of water, and a pro-biotic supplement (not yogurt unless it is homemade!)
Digestive enzymes occur naturally in your digestive tract, but sometimes they may need some help. Papain, a digestive enzyme that is extracted from papaya, a tropical fruit, is sold as a supplement, sometimes called "vegetable pepsin," to aid digestion.
Ginger, aloe, pineapple, coconut, and mint are all things that you may want to research as they may be helpful to you!
This information is not to be construed as medical advice.
I wish I could be of more help but I'm in the middle of a move and don't really have internet yet... Be well!