Heartburn medications, antacids and other medications meant to help deal with stomach ailments are the highest selling drugs in North America. It is widely understood that our diet holds much of the blame for the problems with stomach ailments. There are many basic and simple ways to keep your stomach problems in check.

1. Increase your fibre. Each adult needs between 25 and 35 grams of fibre per day. It helps keep your system moving. Without adequate roughage, your body's ability to deal with waste products properly slows and starts causing problems.

2. Eat every 3 hours. Nibble on healthy snacks like fruit, nuts or raw veggies. When the stomach remains empty for lengthy times, acids can build up and begin to overwork. Taking the edge of hunger can also prevent bingeing or "pigging out" due to extreme hunger.

3. Include a stable probiotic supplement. Introducing the good bacteria that a probiotic offers can help your body better break down your food. When your body doesn't have enough of the good bacteria to help with the digestion efforts, your stomach can't do the job properly, adding gas and bloating to your list of stomach problems.

4. Don't swallow air. Life's busy right? You eat on the run, gobble a snack on the way out the door or dine and dash to make that appointment. Drinking or eating too quickly as well as talking while you eat forces you to swallow air and in turn can cause belching and gas. Try having a large glass of water before your meal and even one after if you choose; but during the meal, take your time, chew, breathe and THEN talk. Re-training yourself to do this can be difficult but not impossible.

5. Take a moment and calm yourself. Would it surprise you to know that many of our stomach ailments are caused by our minds. There is a direct link between the serotonin in the stomach and the brain. Serotonin is the brain chemical that releases a "feel good" sensation. So when your head's all in a muddle and your anxiety is at a peak, it's not a wonder that your stomach will react to it. You have to find a way to calm yourself that works for you. Deep breathing or a few minutes to yourself might be all that you need to get a handle on the situation.

It's a great start to focus on getting yourself on track with great, healthy snacks and reasonably balanced meals; following these guidelines are a great way to keep your body on track naturally and save money on the plethora of "over-the-counter" stomach aides available.