For more than 60 million Americans with acid reflux, frequent heartburn, pressure in the throat and trouble swallowing can make eating unpleasant and even painful, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. The burning sensation of acid reflux happens when stomach juices bathe the lining of the esophagus with acid and digestive enzymes, causing irritation and inflammation. To reduce the discomfort of acid reflux, doctors recommend acid reflux patients make several changes to their diet and everyday meals.
Breakfast
People with acid reflux benefit from making the morning meal a priority because an empty stomach encourages the production of stomach acid, according to the Dr.Gourmet website. Good breakfast choices for people with acid reflux include a plain bagel with light cream cheese, a piece of toast with jelly, or a cup of whole-grain cereal with reduced-fat milk. For breakfast on the go, choose cereal or breakfast bars that contain minimal fat and sugar. People with acid reflux should avoid citrus juices, but may drink low-acid orange juice, papaya or mango juice if they don't trigger reflux symptoms. If you have acid reflux, you should also skip coffee or tea with your morning meal since the caffeine in these beverages contribute to heartburn, the American College of Gastroenterology reports.
Lunch
If you have acid reflux, avoid greasy and fat-laden foods because these trigger reflux symptoms. Soda and other carbonated beverages also increase the production of stomach acid. Instead of traditional fast-food lunch fare like burgers and fries, opt for whole-grain bread sandwiches filled with low-fat mayonnaise and sliced turkey, ham or chicken that is not smoked or cured. Use tomato, cucumbers, onions, peppers and mustard sparingly---these foods trigger reflux symptoms in some people, according to Dr.Gourmet.
Dinner
Eating a diet that doesn't trigger acid reflux means avoiding alcohol and caffeine, tomato sauces and spicy foods at the dinner meal. Salads made with lettuce or spinach, lean cuts of meat such as beef, turkey, chicken and pork and fish are gastroesophageal reflux disease-friendly dinner options. Avoid overeating, and because lying down encourages acid from the stomach to wash into the throat, avoid foods during the two to three hours before your bedtime. People with acid reflux should also avoid a chocolate bedtime snack and late-night peppermint tea---both of these foods increase acid production that leads to reflux, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
