1. Choices for a Good Breakfast
There are many good choices for a low-acid breakfast that will get your day of managing your gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) off to a good start. Oatmeal and whole grain breads are unlikely to trigger heartburn and contain fiber and valuable B-vitamins. For protein, you should consider egg whites, feta cheese or goat cheese. You might also choose to experiment with low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cottage cheese. Some people tolerate these well. Others though, find that most dairy products need to be consumed in moderation. If you like fruit with your breakfast, apples and bananas are your best bets. Fruit such as berries, grapes and peaches should be eaten in moderation. If your breakfast previously included coffee or orange juice, you may want to try eliminating these beverages. Water and decaffeinated tea are better options.
2. Avoid GERD at Lunch
If you like sandwiches for lunch, it is easy to make low-acid versions. Use whole-grain breads or corn bread as your base. Layer in your choice of low-fat soy cheese, fat-free cream cheese, chicken breast, turkey, salmon and egg salad. Experiment with tuna salad, chicken salad, hot dogs and ham. Depending on your food sensitivities, you may be able to tolerate these foods as well. Salad is another safe option for managing GERD, provided you use low-fat dressing. You can add chicken breast or fish for protein. Just make sure that these have not been fried, as you should avoid fried and fatty foods as they can trigger heartburn.
3. What's for Dinner?
There are many excellent choices for low-acid dinners. Chicken breast, lean cuts of beef, turkey and fish are all good sources of protein and unlikely to trigger acid reflux. You can enjoy vegetables such as baked potatoes, broccoli, salad with low-fat dressing, green beans, carrots and peas. You'll also find that rice and high-fiber pasta are tolerable. If you like pasta, use sauces that are not tomato-based. Tomato sauce is likely to cause heartburn, and low-fat Alfredo or pesto sauce is a better choice.
4. How to Choose Low-Acid Snacks
For healthy snacks, pick low-acid fruits, like bananas and peaches, and avoid citrus fruit. Vegetable sticks also work well. Try whole-grain crackers with low-fat cheese or a low-fat yogurt. Nuts and seeds also make a hearty, low-acid snack, though the fat content may upset your stomach. If you are in the mood for something crunchy, try pretzels or flavored rice cakes. If you really need a sugar or salt fix, though, eat low-fat cookies and baked potato chips instead of the high-fat versions. Eating a low-acid diet still leaves you with plenty of choices. If you stick to these safer foods, you'll help control your GERD and prevent episodes of acid reflux.
