In the medical community, certain food items are known as triggers for acid reflux. Acid reflux is related to heartburn and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), although GERD is the most severe of the category. When already eaten stomach contents leak back to the esophagus, acid reflux results in a patient feeling heartburn or other discomfort. By avoiding trigger foods, acid-reflux patients may be able to relieve many of their symptoms.
Tomatoes
Avoid tomatoes or eat them sparingly. Tomatoes are an acidic food and can aggravate already present acid reflux symptoms. Other tomato products, such as ketchup, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce and tomato paste, can also exacerbate symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux.
Spicy Foods
Use caution when eating spicy foods. Most spicy dishes have sauces or bases of tomatoes and onions, which are known to be acid-reflux triggers. Spicy foods can also irritate the esophagus, which can weaken the muscles in the digestive system and make it more likely for acid reflux to occur.
Additionally, the "burning" sensation that results from eating very spicy food can couple with the symptoms of heartburn to make the chest and stomach areas feel even more painful than usual.
Fried, Oily or Fatty Foods
Avoid reflux and improve your overall diet by staying away from foods that are fried, oily or especially fatty. Nexium, a company that manufactures medication that combats acid reflux, notes that high-fat foods can relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, which normally blocks food from re-entering the esophagus.
Because high-fat foods often take more time to digest than lower-fat foods, they can also increase the risk of heartburn occurring over a longer window of time.
Citrus
Lower the risk of acid reflux by avoiding citrus fruits and citrus juices, such as lemons, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and pineapples.
The Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology Clinic of Pennsylvania notes that citrus fruits and citrus juices can worsen irritation in an esophagus that is already inflamed, thus deepening the severity of GERD and reflux symptoms.
Milk
Choose non-fat and reduced-fat milk and dairy products rather than the full-fat versions. Full-fat milk and cream can work like other high-fat foods to relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscle and induce reflux symptoms.
Caffeine
Enjoy products with caffeine only sparingly or as treats. Caffeine tends to stimulate reflux in many people, especially in large amounts. If you regularly suffer from heartburn or acid reflux, the Mayo Clinic recommends limiting chocolate as well as soda, coffee and tea with caffeine.
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