Acid reflux may occur following a meal or after eating a particular food. It results in heartburn, a burning feeling in the chest and stomach, and may cause an acidic taste in the back of your mouth or throat. When your experience frequent acid reflux, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease. Avoiding certain foods and taking antacid or acid-reducing medication may alleviate acid reflux. Eating foods that do not exacerbate acid reflux and following an acid-reducing eating plan can help you avoid symptoms.
Smaller Meals
Eat frequent small meals during the day instead of three large meals to help with digestion. Heavy meals take a long time to digest. The stomach uses more acid secretion during digestion, which may cause acid reflux. Penn Medicine recommends eating three smaller meals and three snacks a day. Stay upright while eating and avoid lying down for at least two to three hours after a meal to give food time to digest.
Avoid Trigger Foods
Certain foods trigger acid reflux by relaxing an esophageal muscle, which normally prevents stomach acid backup. A relaxed muscle does not close tightly after food enters the stomach, allowing acid contents to back up into the esophagus and result in heartburn. Foods that cause the reaction include high-fat and fried foods, tomato products, carbonated beverages, coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, chocolate, peppermint and spearmint. You may have your own particular triggers. Take note of the foods you have eaten when you experience acid reflux and try to eliminate them from your diet.
Low-Fat Choices
Protein may help strengthen the esophageal muscle because protein builds muscle tissue, HealthCentral explains. Focus on low-fat protein foods to lower your fat intake. Eat lean meats with all visible fat trimmed off, chicken or turkey without skin, fish, and low-fat or fat-free dairy foods, avoiding whole-milk products. Enjoy sweets by choosing low-fat or fat-free cookies, cakes, yogurt with fruit and nonfat candies, such as red licorice and jellybeans.
Fiber Helps Digestion
Foods rich in fiber aid digestion to decrease the risk of acid reflux. High-fiber fruits, vegetables and whole grains digest rapidly. Bananas and papaya have been used as home remedies for heartburn because they may contain natural antacid substances. Enjoy peaches, pears, melons, berries and apples, but avoid citrus fruits and tomatoes, which have acidic properties that may promote heartburn. Avoid fried vegetables or vegetables in creamy sauces. Eat fresh or steamed vegetables to avoid acid reflux. Whole grains develop a thick quality during digestion that may help absorb excess acid in the stomach. Include oatmeal, brown rice, barley and whole-grain bread, pasta and cereal in your acid reflux diet.
