Eating the right foods to reduce or prevent acid reflux helps alleviate problems affecting the throat and protects you from serious health conditions later on. Stomach acid backup that occurs after eating causes heartburn in your chest and throat and may trigger acid regurgitation. You may experience a bitter or sour taste in the back of your mouth from acid reflux. If acid reflux occurs often, it could damage the lining of your esophagus.
Avoiding Damage
When the esophagus becomes inflamed from acid reflux, it can lead to bleeding or ulcers in a condition called esophagitis. Other disorders from persistent acid reflux include Barrett's esophagus, which damages cells in the esophageal lining, and esophageal cancer if acid reflux goes untreated. While antacids provide temporary relief and medication prevents symptoms, dietary changes can protect you from episodes over the long term and guard your throat and esophagus against health disorders.
Triggers
Omit foods that trigger acid reflux from your diet. People often suffer symptoms from different foods. Fried or spicy foods, chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages or alcohol may induce acid reflux. You may have your own culprits. Find out what they are by taking note of the foods you have consumed when experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. If you have throat pain or difficulty swallowing hard foods or tough meats, check with a doctor for signs of damage to your esophagus. Eat smaller meals frequently throughout the day instead of three large meals to help digestion and avoid stomach acid buildup.
Fiber Foods
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain high fiber to help the digestive process and avoid heartburn and acid reflux, Penn Medicine notes. However, avoid citrus fruits, tomato products, fried vegetables or creamy vegetables, which may promote acid reflux. Add plenty of apples, pears, peaches, bananas and berries to your acid reflux diet. Keep fruits available for snacks throughout the day to avoid high-fat sweets that contribute to acid reflux. Enjoy fresh or steamed vegetables for protection against symptoms. Whole grains include barley, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat or multigrain bread, high-fiber cereal, oatmeal, oat bran and brown rice.
Protein and Fat
The esophageal muscle becomes weakened from foods that trigger acid reflux. The muscle normally opens when food enters the stomach and closes to prevent acid backup. A weakened muscle allows acid reflux to occur. Protein, which helps repair muscle tissue, may help strengthen the muscle in the esophagus, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many protein foods contain high fat, which may encourage acid reflux. Reduce the fat intake from protein by sticking with lean meats and chicken or turkey without skin. Fish makes a healthy alternative because it has less fat than meat. Low-fat or fat-free dairy foods and products help avoid acid reflux and aid your throat.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Penn Medicine: Managing Heartburn with Diet
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Heartburn --- Prevention
- HealthCentral: Heartburn Center -- Prevention
