Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when your upper stomach muscles involuntarily open, which allows stomach acids to climb into your esophagus. Acid reflux can sometimes progress to GERD, a severe form of acid reflux. This causes burning in your chest and throat. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, most acid reflux cases can be handled with dietary adjustments.
Vegetables and Fruits
Many vegetables and fruits are good to eat if you suffer from acid reflux. Choose vegetables and fruits that contain low acid amounts, such as carrots, peaches and apples, and serve them roasted, steamed or raw. You should avoid citrus fruits, such as pineapple, oranges, grapefruit and tangerines, and tomatoes as they are acidic. According to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, you should also avoid prepared cream-style vegetables, such as creamed corn or creamed broccoli. Vegetables that are deep fried, such as French fries or okra, may also trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Non-Spicy Foods
Certain spices and seasonings may aggravate your acid reflux symptoms. These include spicy food sources with onions or garlic and foods that contain peppermint or spearmint, reports the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Fortunately, seasonings such as oregano, parsley and basil do not trigger acid reflux symptoms in most reflux sufferers. Experiment with these seasonings to see how they affect you.
Fiber and Grains
According to Dr. Elizabeth Lipski in the book "Digestive Wellness", low-fiber foods aren't recommended if you suffer from acid reflux as they can increase your symptoms. Therefore, breads, cereals and pastas with whole grains are recommended to decrease your symptoms. The best grains are low in fat. Avoid grains that contain high amounts of oils and nuts, which can trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Desserts
If you suffer from acid reflux, you don't have to skip dessert. Instead, stick to desserts that contain no more than 3 grams of fat, reports Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. Good dessert choices include sorbets, non-citrus fruits, low fat cakes and low fat frozen yogurts. However, you should avoid chocolate desserts when possible, as they may trigger acid reflux symptoms.
References
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- University of Illinois McKinely Health Center: The GERD Diet
- "Digestive Wellness"; Elizabeth Lipski, Ph.D., CCN; 2005
- ABCNews.com: What Foods Should I Avoid If I Have GERD?
