1. How Meats Aggravate Acid Reflux
Acid reflux happens when stomach acids flow back up the esophagus from the stomach. Not only does this leave an awful taste, it can damage the esophagus over time. There is a sphincter muscle in the stomach that normally closes after eating. The muscle keeps the food in the stomach for digestion. When the muscle doesn't close properly, stomach acids can leak up into the esophagus, causing acid reflux. Meat is a protein and proteins take longer for the body to digest; they stay in the stomach longer. Because meat takes longer to digest, more acid is released to digest it. This in turn causes some people to experience acid reflux after eating meat, especially meat with a higher fat content.
2. Meats and Portion Size
Avoid meats that are high in fat content if you have acid reflux. Most red meat is higher in fat content than white meat. Red meat isn't the only fatty meat to avoid, some cuts of pork and lamb are also fatty. Some people with acid reflux also find that the skin on chicken aggravates their condition. Just because the fatty meats can aggravate acid reflux doesn't mean you can never eat it again. If you use common sense and plan ahead, you can enjoy the occasional piece of fatty meat. Control the portion size of your meat to reduce acid reflux; less than 4 ounces will help your body digest the meat more efficiently. Remove visible fat before eating to reduce acid reflux. Eat the meat at least three hours before bedtime to give your body a chance to digest it. If you eat meat too close to bedtime, the acid reflux will get worse when you lie down.
3. Dining out With Acid Reflux
The best Porterhouse steaks or filet mignon are the most tender and delicious steaks you can eat. The flavor and juiciness come from the rich marbling of fat in the steaks. When you have acid reflux, the higher fat content of the meat can aggravate the condition. If you plan on having a juicy steak when you dine out, eat 4 ounces or less and take the rest home in a doggie bag. Choose a lower fat meat to avoid acid reflux when eating out. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also a good choice when dining out, including fish like salmon. If you're eating non-meat dishes like fettuccine Alfredo, the cream and cheese can also aggravate acid reflux because of the high fat content. Choose your meal wisely (and take antacids with you) to fully enjoy your dining out experience.
