Heartburn occurs when the gastric juices from the stomach back up into the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining and resulting in a painful burning sensation in the chest that may extend upward to the throat. Severe or chronic cases of heartburn may signify an underlying medical condition, but for those who suffer from occasional heartburn, knowing what foods are less likely to cause problems makes the difference between comfort and pain.
Meat And Poultry
Although heartburn sufferers may experience painful symptoms from different foods, in general, the presence of high fat is a red flag. Choose extra-lean ground beef and trim all the fat from select cuts of beef before cooking. Roasted chicken or turkey breast, prepared with the skin removed, provides a low-fat source of quality protein that may not trigger a heartburn episode. London broil and broiled white fish are low in fat and offer a heartburn-free entree for most individuals.
Vegetables And Fruits
Vegetables and fruit are nutritious, and they add essential vitamins to your diet, but some are safer than others when you're trying to avoid heartburn. Enjoy a baked potato with fat-free dressing and imitation soy-type bacon bits or add a serving of broccoli, carrots, green beans, cabbage or peas to your meal. Use only low-fat sauces or dressings to add a touch of flavor.
Apples are a wonderful treat for heartburn suffers and you may enjoy them raw, dried or juiced. Bananas are also easy to digest and are unlikely to cause heartburn.
Dairy Products
Low-fat and fat-free dairy products are part of a healthy diet, providing essential protein and nutrients. Most low-fat dairy products will not trigger a heartburn episode. Choose "light" varieties of yogurt, milk and cheese products. Use only the whites of eggs when making scrambled eggs or in baking.
Additional Food Products
Baked potato chips and pretzels have little or no fat and are unlikely to trigger a heartburn attack. In addition, jelly-type candies, no-fat cookies and whole-grain bread products may be safe to eat. Graham crackers and rice cakes provide a tasty treat without risking heartburn, and low-fat breakfast cereals made with bran or oatmeal are easy on the digestion and on the esophagus.
Special Items
Although further investigation is needed, some special food items may reduce the risk of heartburn, including aloe vera juice, lemons, mustard, pickle juice and digestive enzyme supplements. In addition, consume only small portions of low-risk foods at one setting to avoid pushing gastric juices into the esophagus. Four or five small meals a day may prevent heartburn caused by overeating.
Member Comments