Do you often feel something stuck onto your throat? Do certain kinds of foods give you an uneasy feeling? Well, then there are chances of you getting acid reflux through the foods you consume. Some foods can indeed aggravate acid reflux, further causing GERD. So, you must wisely select foods that neutralize the stomach acid and keep you away from any uneasy feeling. This space especially tells you the foods to avoid acid reflux and some more foods that keep acid reflux at bay. Scroll down to know which are the foods to avoid in acid reflux.
Table of Contents
What is acid reflux?
Before we jump directly into knowing the foods to avoid acid reflux, let us know how it affects you and the possible ways you can get it.
Usually, you get acid reflux when the stomach contents go right up to your esophagus, creating an uneasy feeling for you. Your body reacts like this when the lower esophageal sphincter starts to relax, allowing the stomach acids to enter the esophagus.
If you see yourself to have this acid reflux persistently, then consult a doctor at the earliest. It might be a case of gastroesophageal disease or commonly called GERD.
Some of the factors that might aggravate or trigger acid reflux are:
- The posture you stay in right after you finish eating,
- Excessive amounts of food intake in a single meal serving,
- And most importantly, the kinds of food you consume to trigger acid reflux.
Managing acid reflux can prove to be relatively easy. Only by making alterations in your diet and consuming all the foods help acid reflux go away will benefit you. Maintaining a proper body posture and not lying on your stomach can keep you away from an uneasy feeling. Remember to consume small portions of meals to avoid acid reflux.
What foods help acid reflux go away and what foods to avoid in acid reflux can be a little tricky. But here, we have specially curated the list of the foods you need to avoid and the ones best to consume.
Symptoms of Acid Reflux
One of the most common symptoms of acid reflux is heartburn. Generally, you get a sensation of burning in your chest and stomach area after eating food that causes acid reflux or after a full meal. If acid reflux aggravates, then you may have vomiting as well.
But there are some other symptoms too that can help you identify acid reflux. Which are:
- Sore Throat
- Dry Cough
- Bloating
- Hiccups or Burping
- Lump in the throat
- Swallowing Difficulties
But it would help if you were careful identifying acid reflux and GERD. If the symptoms above do not fade away within two days, you must visit a doctor at the earliest.
Foods to Avoid in Acid Reflux
Now that you know everything about acid reflux, it would be best that you’re well-aware of the foods to avoid acid reflux.
After researching several experts and journals, the list below will tell all the possible acid reflux foods to avoid. Hang in there, and you’ll know them all!
So, here is a list of foods to avoid in acid reflux:
Fried foods and High-Fat Meal
When you consume fatty foods, the LES or lower esophageal sphincter pressure usually lowers, which can trigger acid reflux. So, it’s always best to avoid consuming foods that are high in fat.
Some of the high-fat foods to avoid acid reflux are:
- Deep-fried onion rings
- French fries
- potato or other deep-fried chips
- whole milk
- butter
- ice-cream
- cheese
- high-fat creamy salad dressings
- high-fat sour cream
- Dips and Sauces that are creamy and contain high fats
- Red meat with fat cuts on it like prime rib or marbled sirloin.
High Spice foods
Haven’t you noticed that dipping your nachos into sriracha leaves you with abdominal pain? Well, yes! Spicy foods can aggravate acid reflux tremendously. A few studies suggest not consuming foods with a lot of spice to avoid any gastrointestinal problems. Moreover, you may get heartburn and abdominal pain due to very spicy foods too. But there was a study done on participants with capsaicin. The results did not produce a similar kind of discomfort as other spicy foods did.
Thinking about what capsaicin is? Well, it is an ingredient present in chili powder and chili peppers, making it tasty spicy. More so, some researchers say that consuming spicy foods may improve your GERD problems if eaten regularly. But you need to pay attention to the amounts you consume and how your body reacts to spice. Some people may have the adaptability to spice, whereas other people might not.
So, it’s always best you assess yourself and only then consume spicy foods.
Vegetables and fruits
Are you wondering how vegetables and fruits have made it to acid reflux foods to avoid chart? Well, yes! Veggies and fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet. But there are a few foods that can aggravate acid reflux and lead it to GERD symptoms.
So, here is the list of foods to avoid in acid reflux in the veggie and fruits category:
- Citrus fruits like limes, lemons, grapefruit, and oranges
- pineapple
- tomato-based foods like chili, salsa, pizza sauce, and tomato sauce
- tomatoes
- onions and garlic
You can always consult your doctor to know if you’re intolerant towards these veggies, fruits, and sauces. More so, he/she can guide you in consuming the right amounts in your diet to avoid acid reflux or any vitamin deficiency.
Beverages
When you’re searching for the foods to avoid acid reflux, you must also know what drinks to avoid acid reflux too. There are certain common beverages that you may regularly consume which cause acid reflux. More so, it can further lead to GERD.
Some of the drinks to avoid acid reflux are:
- Tea and coffee
- Wine and other alcoholic beverages
- Sodas and other carbonated drinks
- Tomato and other citrus juices.
Irrespective of containing caffeine or not, coffee increases your stomach acid causing acid reflux symptoms. But numerous people are tolerant of coffee yet have GERD. That’s because the human body reacts differently for different people. So, it is always essential for you to assess yourself and then stop consuming foods. However, the drinks above generally increase stomach acid in humans, but it might work differently for a few too.
More foods, supplements, and medications
Many more foods can aggravate acid reflux, which can further cause GERD in a few people.
For instance, below are a few medicines, supplements, and foods to avoid with GERD:
- Mints like spearmint and peppermint
- Chocolates
- Supplements like potassium and iron
- Over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers and aspirin
- Certain kinds of antibiotics
- Alpha-blockers
- Bisphosphonates
- Nitrates
- Tricyclics
- Calcium channel blockers
- Theophylline
- Canned and processed foods
When you decide to consume iron or more supplements rather than consuming the foods that supply the number of nutrients, you must consult your doctor. More so, when you are on specific medications to treat other illnesses, the chances of acid reflux might increase. It’s always best to keep your doctor informed about the foods you’re consuming along with the medication. It would also help if you kept in mind to avoid canned and processed foods as much as possible to prevent acid reflux or any other health problems.
What foods help acid reflux go away?
Some foods neutralize stomach acid and help you keep away from acid reflux. Some foods help you deal with acid reflux and keep you away from it as much as possible.
Here we have carefully selected some foods which can keep acid reflux away:
Bananas
Since bananas have a high potassium content with a very low pH or acidity level, it is an advisable fruit for people with acid reflux.
Beans
If you think about food with high fiber content, then beans are the best option. Try incorporating beans in your diet to provide yourself with heart-healthy fats and also to avoid acid reflux.
Chamomile Tea
Both green and black teas contain adequate amounts of caffeine in them. So, these usually counted among the top 5 acidic foods to avoid. But if you happen to be a tea lover, try consuming chamomile tea. It has a fantastic soothing taste and reduces your stress levels too. More so, it is an excellent soothing tonic to reduce acid reflux.
Ginger
Haven’t you heard of the treatment people do use ginger to treat stomach problems? Since ginger contains high amounts of anti-inflammatory properties, it can naturally cure acid reflux. You can add them to your steam fish or ginger tea to reap the maximum of its acid reflux benefits.
Agave and Honey
We must consume some amounts of sweet in our diet, but of course, in minimal amounts. So, honey is always proven to be healthier than any refined sugars. Try topping your oatmeal with agave and honey to keep your acid reflux symptoms away.
Lean Turkey and Chicken
When you think of consuming meat, choose lean meat. Consuming lean turkey and chicken meat is affordable, plus it can provide you with a fair amount of protein. But remember to remove the skin before cooking the chicken or turkey. Also, try baking or grilling the lean than deep-frying it.
Lean Fish
To maintain a healthy and balanced diet, you need to consume every natural product in adequate amounts. And lean fish can give you the right amount of minerals, proteins, and vitamins. But the only you can reap its benefits is by sautéing, steaming, or grilling them.
Plain Popcorns
If you’re searching for snacks to neutralize the stomach acids, plain popcorns can prove to be one of them. But remember to choose the ones that are unsalted and unbuttered. More so, it is an excellent option if you’re thinking of losing weight.
Homemade Soups
You can make a healthy and filling soup with whole wheat noodles, veggies, and lean chicken to keep yourself away from acid reflux. But remember not to consume it in massive amounts. That’s because overeating food can also lead to gastrointestinal problems.
Chewing Gum
Try consuming chewing gum after each meal for more than an hour. It will help you tremendously to avoid any stomach acid that you might feel in your esophagus. You can reduce acid reflux when you consume chewing gum after your meals and also try out walking a few rounds on the trail. But remember to choose the chewing gums that do not have any artificial sweetener or ingredients.
Egg Whites
If you’re health-conscious and very strict about your diet, you must have already started consuming egg whites. But if you are not yet on a strict diet, start eating egg whites and discard the yolks. In general, people who have symptoms of acid reflux or GERD avoid fatty foods. Usually, egg yolks are among the fat foods to avoid with GERD.
Soy Milk
Do you think if milk is good for acid reflux or not? Well, skim, and full-fat dairy can frequently lead to digestive problems. But you can go to lactose-free milk or soy milk. It can provide you with many health benefits and keep the stomach acids away from rising.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding the foods that cause acid reflux and adding the right foods prove to be the best option to remain healthy. It’s always best you consume nutrients through its nutrition and avoid supplements as much as possible.
But if you get any other illnesses and the doctor provides you with medications, let him/her select a diet for you as well. And if the acid reflux problem persists, the doctors will give you tums. Soon after you start consuming them, the tums use will begin reflecting.
Despite knowing the effects of tums, do not consume them on your own. The health personnel is the best person to advise you in this regard. So, avoid the foods that trigger acid reflux, and if it prolongs, consult a doctor at the earliest.