Acid Reflux: From Quarantine to Quandary, to Gaining Back Control

I was a mess of nerves when the quarantine began. Honestly, who wasn’t? The days blurred together with no real structure, just a constant hum of anxiety. And my body decided to channel all that stress straight into my gut.

What I didn’t expect was being diagnosed with GERD — basically acid reflux that moved in and refused to leave. While everyone else was learning how to bake bread, I was busy learning which foods triggered my symptoms and how my body reacted to them.

Ultimately, this whole experience taught me so much. It’s been truly worth it because I finally feel in control instead of at the mercy of my stomach. One of the biggest game-changers was discovering natural remedies that actually help during flare-ups.

Organic Watermelon & Cucumber Juice:

My go-to emergency remedy is Organic Watermelon & Cucumber Juice. Every time I feel that familiar throat congestion or my stomach starts acting up, I throw watermelon and cucumber in the blender with some ice. That’s it. One in the morning and one in the afternoon usually calms everything down.

This recommendation came from a doctor I saw during quarantine. Instead of just handing me a prescription, he suggested focusing on low-acid, anti-inflammatory foods. He told me watermelon has one of the highest concentrations of lycopene (even more than tomatoes!) and it’s non-acidic. Cucumbers offer similar benefits. Sometimes I even add flaxseed.

Honey and Oatmeal 

Honey and Oatmeal became my comforting daily breakfast. I use steel-cut oats and just a small teaspoon of honey. I learned that while honey can coat the esophagus nicely, it is acidic, so less is more. I often sprinkle in some flaxseed too.

Alkaline water

Alkaline water was another surprising help. I noticed that regular tap water (even New York City tap) sometimes bothered me, so I switched to alkaline water and felt a real difference.

Probiotics

Probiotics were the final piece of the puzzle. After a co-worker recommended them, I added them to my daily routine. They’ve helped reduce bloating and keep things moving smoothly.

Of course, there are the foods I now avoid as much as possible — unfortunately, most of them used to be my favorites.

• Chocolate: It relaxes the muscle at the top of the stomach, letting acid sneak up.

• Tomatoes: Way too acidic.

• Sparkling water: The carbonation creates pressure that pushes acid upward.

• Spicy foods: A classic heartburn trigger.

• Fried foods: Greasy foods weaken that same stomach valve.

The list can feel intimidating at first. But once you start listening to your body and adjusting your grocery list, you realize there are still plenty of delicious options. It’s a continuous learning process with good days and bad days, but now I feel equipped and empowered instead of helpless.

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