Foods to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
People suffering from acid reflux should be very particular while choosing the food, as some foods and drinks may aggravate the condition. Many people don't know the fact that food we eat is one of the leading causes of acid reflux. There are certain foods that should be avoided as they may increase the occurrence of acid reflux. Once you know the foods to avoid, you can plan your diet accordingly.
Foods to be avoided include citrus fruits and juices, fatty foods, greasy foods, spicy foods and fried foods. Given below is the detailed list of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat and sweets to avoid when suffering from acid reflux.
Fruits to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Cranberry juice
- Orange juice
- Lemon
- Grapefruit juice
- Tomato
Dairy Products to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Milk
- Milk shake
- Cottage cream
- Sour cream
Vegetables to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Cauliflower
- Raw onion
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- French fries
- Mashed potatoes
Beverages to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Tea (caffeinated or decaffeinated)
- Coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated)
- Any caffeinated beverage
- Wine
- Liquor
- Beer
Meat to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Marbled steak
- Ground beef
- Buffalo wings
- Chicken nuggets
Grains to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Spaghetti with sauce
- Macaroni and cheese
Sweets or Desserts to Avoid when suffering from Acid Reflux
- Chocolate
- Cookies (Butter cookie)
- Brownies
- Doughnut
- Potato chips
- Corn chips
- Peppermint or spearmint
The above-mentioned foods should be avoided as they can make your acid reflux worse. Spicy or greasy foods may cause heartburn symptoms in most of the acid reflux sufferers. Fatty foods stay in the stomach longer and therefore more stomach acid is required to digest them. Citrus fruits or juices may irritate the esophagus. Milk may help in relieving acid reflux symptoms for sometime but finally encourage secretion of more stomach acid that triggers acid reflux.
Also the dairy products like milk shakes and ice creams create problems for acid reflux sufferers. Caffeinated beverages like tea or coffee is believed to aggravate acid reflux. Lot of the people think that beverages quickly flow through the stomach without affecting the acid reflux. But it's not true; beverages like beer, liquor or wine may stimulate acid production.
Along with avoiding certain foods, it's also necessary to follow some tips. Some of the tips to be followed include:
- Eat small, frequent meals instead of big meals as big meals may increase the pressure on stomach. You can have five to six small meals instead of three big meals.
- Eat the foods rich in carbohydrates like bread, rice, and pasta as these foods tie up excess stomach acid.
- Eat slowly and don't overeat. Overeating may encourage the stomach to secret more acid for digestion.
- Don't go to bed immediately after meals as it can make acid reflux worse.
- Don't smoke immediately after meals as nicotine in the cigarette weakens the LES muscle and lead to heartburn.