Acid reflux causes the burning sensation in the upper chest and throat of heartburn. Stomach acid backs up into the esophagus usually after a meal. A weakened esophageal muscle, which normally closes after food enters the stomach, does not shut tightly to result in acid reflux. Certain foods can relax the muscle. A hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach pushes through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest. Acid reflux symptoms often accompany a hiatal hernia. Similar diets for both conditions help reduce and relieve acid reflux.
GERD Diet
Doctors can prescribe medications that work effectively for hiatal hernia and acid reflux. A modified diet helps during treatment. People who experience frequent acid reflux may have gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. The GERD diet focuses on avoiding high fat meals and fried foods, which decrease pressure on the esophageal muscle to encourage acid reflux. Avoiding large meals reduces pressure on the stomach and backup of gastric juices, according to the McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Breakfast may include ½ cup apple juice, whole-grain cereal, ½ banana, whole-wheat toast with 1 tsp. margarine and 2 tsp. jelly, and skim milk. A sample lunch includes 1 cup vegetable soup, saltine crackers, a 3 oz. lean beef patty with one bun, 1 tbsp. low-calorie mayonnaise, 1 tbsp. mustard, lettuce and ½ cup fresh fruit salad without citrus. Dinner includes a green salad with 1 tbsp. vinegar and oil dressing, 3 oz broiled skinless chicken breast, ½ cup brown rice, ½ cup steamed broccoli, a whole grain roll with 1 tsp. margarine, ½ cup low-fat frozen yogurt and a medium apple. Snacks may include graham crackers and skim milk.
Self-Help Diet
People need to know and avoid the foods that cause acid reflux because everyone responds to foods differently. Common foods that cause acid reflux include fatty, spicy, salty or dry foods, according to Nil Heartburn. Apples and bananas represent safe fruits to avoid heartburn. Baked potatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, broccoli and cabbage provide protection from acid reflux. Always use low-fat salad dressing. Lean beef, white meat chicken and fish fit well into an acid reflux diet. Egg whites and egg substitutes can replace egg yolks. High-fiber grains, such as multi-grain bread, oatmeal, rice, bran cereals and pretzels, aid digestion to avoid acid reflux. Low-fat snacks include red licorice, jellybeans and baked potato chips. Avoid heartburn-inducing chocolate.
Acid Reflux Diet
Low-fat and fat-free milk or low-fat and fat-free yogurt are recommended over whole-milk products in an acid reflux disease diet, according to Jackson-Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Vegetables help reduce acid reflux, except for fried or creamy style vegetables. Fruits include apples, bananas, peaches, pears, berries and melons. Avoid citrus fruits, which promote acid reflux. Breads and grains made with low-fat content should replace products made from whole milk or high fat. Choose low-fat meat, chicken and turkey without skin and fish over fatty meat and cold cuts. You can have sweets in an acid reflux diet if they have 3 g or less fat per serving. Avoid chocolate and desserts made with oils or fats. Instead of coffee, carbonated drinks and alcohol, drink decaffeinated, non-mint herbal teas and juices, except citrus juices.
