A hot burning in the chest, a bitter taste in the throat, a gassy bloating in the stomach — acid reflux is no picnic. What you eat, however, can have an impact. The best and worst foods for acid reflux could spell the difference between sweet relief and sour misery.
The worst foods for reflux can worsen painful symptoms, while other foods can soothe them, says UH gastrointestinal surgeon Leena Khaitan, MD. Khaitan says. Examples of the best foods for acid reflux include:. In general, anything that is fatty, acidic or highly caffeinated should be avoided. The worst foods for acid reflux list includes:. It's a good idea to speak with your doctor if the best foods for acid reflux do not relieve your symptoms, Dr.
Other options can include lifestyle changes, medications to block acid, and surgical procedures on the esophagus sphincter. It is important to make a doctor's appointment if you have heartburn or acid reflux that is severe or frequent, Dr. Khaitan adds. Ginger is one of the best digestive aids because of its medicinal properties. It's alkaline in nature and anti-inflammatory, which eases irritation in the digestive tract.
Try sipping ginger tea when you feel heartburn coming on. While there isn't enough research to prove that drinking apple cider vinegar works for acid reflux, many people swear that it helps. However, you should never drink it at full concentration because it's a strong acid that can irritate the esophagus.
Instead, put a small amount in warm water and drink it with meals. Lemon juice is generally considered very acidic, but a small amount of lemon juice mixed with warm water and honey has an alkalizing effect that neutralizes stomach acid. Also, honey has natural antioxidants, which protect the health of cells. If you have heartburn two or more times a week and changes to your diet or eating pattern haven't helped, consult a doctor.
A gastroenterologist a doctor who specializes in the digestive system can perform tests to measure the acidity in your stomach and see if frequent acid reflux has damaged your esophagus. GERD is often treatable through a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
But persistent symptoms of reflux need thorough evaluation by a gastroenterologist who can find the underlying cause and discuss available treatment options. GERD is an ongoing condition that often requires more attention than over-the-counter treatments can offer.
Here's what you need to know. Are you looking for a natural way to treat acid reflux? There is concern that coffee and tea can cause heartburn and aggravate acid reflux. Learn more about the effects of these favorite beverages on GERD…. Find ways to relieve or prevent heartburn after eating. There are a number of natural remedies for acid reflux, but is magnesium one of them? Learn more about how this mineral may help acid reflux. Chewing gum can have a number of health benefits, including increased saliva production.
Learn how this affects symptoms of acid reflux. Learn why you may need to limit your chocolate intake if you have acid reflux or heartburn. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Foods to Help Your Acid Reflux. Helpful foods Finding triggers Foods to avoid Lifestyle tips Takeaway Acid reflux occurs when there is acid backflow from the stomach into the esophagus. Foods to eat. Finding your triggers. Foods to avoid. Lifestyle tips. Read this next. What to Drink for Acid Reflux. Medically reviewed by Elaine K.
Luo, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Items that people with GERD are often advised to avoid include:. Some of these items — including fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint, and alcohol — are thought to worsen GERD symptoms by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter LES , the ring of muscle that separates your stomach from your esophagus.
Other items — including tomatoes and citrus fruits — are believed to aggravate symptoms by increasing the acidity of your stomach, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Carbonated beverages can increase acidity as well as pressure in the stomach, making it easier for stomach acid to push through the LES and flow up into the esophagus.
Chocolate may be one of the worst foods for people with GERD because it contains high levels of fat as well as caffeine. The most problematic fatty foods include high-fat dairy products, as well as fatty cuts of meat and processed meats like hot dogs and luncheon meat. Different people will have different reactions to individual foods. Pay attention to your diet, and if a food or beverage gives you heartburn, consider avoiding it.
Milk products Instead of whole milk and full-fat dairy products, try reduced-fat, low-fat, or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, or ice cream. Alternatively, you can try nondairy options like soy or almond milk, or nondairy ice cream alternatives. Baked goods Instead of high-fat items like biscuits, croissants, doughnuts, or sweet rolls, try plain bread or rolls, pancakes, waffles, bagels, or low-fat muffins. Meats and other proteins Instead of fatty meat, fried meat, lunch meat, or sausages, try lean meat, poultry without its skin, fish, tofu, or eggs.
Fruits Instead of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit, try any other fresh, frozen, or canned fruit or fruit juice that you can tolerate well. Vegetables Instead of fried or creamed vegetables, onions, tomatoes and tomato products, or vegetable juices, try a variety of other fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables that are prepared without added fat.
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