Can You Eat Eggs with Hiatal Hernia & acid reflux?

Summary: Can you eat eggs with a hiatal hernia?

Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality proteins and fats in moderate amounts. Eating eggs is generally allowed with hiatal hernia and acid reflux.

If consumed in moderation, the fat in egg yolks won’t harm your hiatal hernia (2-3 eggs).

Acidic foods can trigger acid reflux and hiatal hernia. However, the American egg board states that whole eggs are relatively neutral (not acidic nor alkaline).

Boiled eggs vs. scrambled eggs.

You can eat boiled eggs with hiatal hernia as they are boiled in water without adding fats or oils. On the other hand, scrambling eggs involves the addition of butter or oil. Too much oil or butter may trigger acid reflux and hiatal hernia.

However, you can scramble eggs with mild amounts of healthy oil or butter. Also, Eliminate any other additives to the scrambled eggs that can trigger hiatal hernia, such as spices, onions, etc.

Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality proteins and fats in moderate amounts. Eating eggs is generally allowed with hiatal hernia and acid reflux.

Are Eggs high in fat?

Fat is known to decrease the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. The dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter is responsible for acid reflux.

Moreover, Too much fat delays the emptying of your stomach, which can trigger acid reflux and hiatal hernia.

Eggs have fat in their yolks. They contain about 10.3 grams of fat per serving (2 eggs) (reference). The fat content of eggs is moderate and is not considered (high) in fat.

If consumed in moderation, the fat in egg yolks won’t harm your hiatal hernia (2-3 eggs). In addition, egg yolk’s fat is a type of fat; your body needs this type of fat (Don’t completely cut fat from your diet).

In addition to healthy fats, eggs are also rich in:

• protein
• vitamin D
• vitamin A
• vitamin B2
• vitamin B12
• folate
• iodine

The best way to eat eggs with acid reflux and hiatal hernia:

• Boiled or poached eggs are better.
• Scrambled eggs without butter are also a good option.
• Minimize or don’t add salt at all.
• Don’t fry eggs; Frying can increase their fat content by 50% (reference).
• Consume eggs in moderation; one serving (2 eggs) is best.

Are eggs acidic or alkaline?

Acidic foods can trigger acid reflux and hiatal hernia. However, the American egg board states that whole eggs are relatively neutral (not acidic nor alkaline).

Eggs don’t cause increased acidity in your stomach contents. So, eggs are unlikely to trigger hiatal hernia and acid reflux.

Egg whites are alkaline.

Egg whites are naturally alkaline food that can potentially reduce the acidity of stomach content. Theoretically, it can help with acid reflux and hiatal hernia. However, no specific studies tested this theory.

If you have problems eating high-fat egg yolk, you can only at egg white, which is ok with hiatal hernia and acid reflux.

Foods that trigger acid reflux and hiatal hernia:

Avoid foods that may trigger the condition (ref):

• Caffeine, such as coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
• Alcohol.
• Chocolate.1
• Peppermints and peppermint oil supplements unless prescribed by your doctor.
• Carbonated beverages.
• Smoking (Nicotine exposure).
• Acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits.
• Spicy foods.