Acid reflux that occurs more than twice a week usually indicates gastroesophageal reflux disease, also called GERD. Symptoms of acid reflux include burning pain in the upper chest and throat from heartburn. Acid regurgitation may cause a sour or bitter taste in the back of your mouth or throat. A muscle in the esophagus relaxes and does not close tightly after food enters the stomach to allow acid contents to back up. Certain foods relax the muscle and trigger acid reflux.
Fatty or Fried Foods
High-fat products and fried foods often relax the esophageal muscle to cause stomach acid backup. These foods also delay stomach emptying and cause the stomach to secrete excess acid for digestion, increasing the risk of acid reflux. Adding garlic, onions or spicy sauces to the foods may increase acid reflux. Large meals and overeating also contribute to symptoms. Reducing fat and calorie intake maintains a healthy weight to control reflux, according to the McKinley Health Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Excess weight brings about acid reflux because of pressure on the abdomen. Eat lean meats, skinless poultry and low-fat or fat-free dairy products instead of whole milk or whole-milk foods. Bake, broil or grill meats, poultry and fish rather than frying them.
Snacks and Drinks
Chocolate, spearmint, peppermint and high-fat desserts can aggravate GERD symptoms. Citrus fruits, citrus juices, tomatoes and tomato products sometimes cause acid reflux because of their acidic contents. Choose low-fat or fat-free snacks and nonfat candies to control symptoms. Jellybeans, red licorice and graham crackers make healthy alternatives. Eat sweets and desserts with 3 g or less fat per serving, Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology advises. Replace baked goods with non-citrus fruit, such as bananas or peaches, as much as possible for snacking or desserts. Use apple slices on angel food cake or other light cakes instead of syrups. Coffee, carbonated beverages and alcohol tend to cause acid reflux. Replace them with apple juice, skim milk, decaffeinated non-mint herbal teas or water.
Personal Triggers
You may have your own particular triggers because people respond differently to foods. People can tolerate certain foods that bother others. Some people consume spicy foods with no problem while other people experience heartburn. Avoiding acid reflux may involve finding out what triggers your symptoms. Making a detailed record for one week may help. Include the foods and beverages you consume, the time of day you've had them and the symptoms that follow each time. You can alleviate symptoms by gradually removing suspected offenders from your diet.
