Gastroesophageal reflux, commonly called acid reflux, occurs when your lower esophageal sphincter involuntarily opens and allows stomach acids to retract into your esophagus, notes the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Symptoms include frequent heartburn, chest pain and indigestion. Adjusting your diet to include foods that are friendly toward acid reflux may alleviate symptoms.
Vegetables and Fruits
Except for tomatoes, you can consume vegetables as long as you prepare them with little to no fat. Soft cooked, frozen and canned vegetables may be better tolerated by your digestive system. Ideal fruit choices for acid reflux include pears, apples, peaches, melon and bananas. On the other hand, oranges, grapefruit, pineapples, limes and lemons can trigger acid reflux symptoms, since they can irritate your esophahgus, reports Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. It is common for doctors to recommend that acid reflux sufferers eliminate citrus fruit, citrus-based sauces and citrus juices from their diet regimen.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Choose low-fat and lean meat alternatives to curb acid reflux symptoms, since high-fat meat can aggravate your condition. Lean meat choices include beef eye of round, poultry, lamb chops and pork tenderloin. Choose fish sources such as lake trout, herring, halibut, tuna, sardines, mackerel and cod. Low-fat meat alternatives for acid reflux include tofu, eggs, egg substitutes and low-fat cheese, notes Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology.
Dairy Foods
Consuming low-fat yogurt, cheese and milk is safe for acid reflux sufferers. High-fat foods, including full-fat yogurts and whole milk, often aggravate acid reflux. For best results, choose low-fat, nonfat or reduced-fat dairy products. Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology suggests that you consume your last dairy meal two hours before bedtime to reduce your chances of indigestion or acid reflux.
Beverages
When you have acid reflux, choose water, apple juice, non-citrus tea, herbal tea and other decaffeinated beverages. According to "Digestive Wellness," caffeine can increase acid reflux symptoms since it can inflame your esophagus. Mint beverages, such as those containing peppermint and spearmint, should be avoided.
References
- Jackson/Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet; Frank W. Jackson, M.D.
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- MedlinePlus: Bland Diet
- "Digestive Wellness"; Elizabeth Lipski, Ph.D., CCN; 2005
