Foods to Avoid when Suffering from Acid Reflux

Diet

Acid reflux is a severe health complication. It takes place when acid moves back to the esophagus from the stomach. The damaged lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is responsible for acid reflux. LES normally closes to avoid entry of stomach food to the esophagus.

Our eating habits have a strong impact in the acid produced in the stomach. It is advised to take proper diet and some specific food products that prevent acid reflux. Acid reflux known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)is caused by the prolonged problem of acid reflux.

Acid reflux has different symptoms amongst which heartburn is the most common. You may feel burning sensation in the stomach after taking meals. Some other symptoms include bloating, burping or sore throats.

If you suffer from GERD you will realize that certain food products activate the symptoms of acid reflux. These food triggers for GERD vary for all people. It is difficult to describe a specific diet for all individuals.

Due to this, all the patients with acid reflux must keep a track of their eating habits and the spontaneous acid reflux action. Check out the following:

  • What do you eat?
  • How many meals do you take in a day?
  • What symptoms of GERD do you experience?

Track the food items you eat for a week. This way you can find out which food products trigger acid reflux. Once you have found out the foods to avoid with acid reflux, change your diet plans. For better results get the recommendations of the doctors to have control of GERD.

Given below is a list of the foods to avoid with acid reflux:

Spicy food: Spicy foods contain large amounts of salts and spices which trigger heartburns. The spicy foods interfere with the stomach acid and worsen the condition. Reduce the spicy food from your diet and you will be at ease with acid reflux.

Mint: The numbing properties of the mint block the esophagus sphincter. This allows the acid to creep from stomach to the esophagus. You can take ginger as a natural heartburn treatment. Ginger reduces vomiting and overnight heartburns.

Tomatoes: Tomatoes have high acid levels. Fresh and canned tomatoes are the major causes of heartburns. When the food is digested, it allows the development of reflux acid. Tomato condiments such as sauce and salsa though are delicious, but you will have to suffer from the brutal pain of acid reflux.

Oranges: Citrus fruits like oranges contain high amounts of citric acid. Early morning orange can result in the influx of acid reflux later times in the day. It is advised to take high alkaline foods. Take apples, bananas, berries, melon, and pears in your diet which can be easily digested.

Fried food: Fried food is a big trigger of acid reflux. Everyone likes to eat the crispy fried foods. However, they are prepared when soaked in blood and retain the oil after they have been prepared. Such foods contain high fats which take some time to be digested. Fried foods can even cause heartburns. You can eat the grilled meals to stay low on the fat level and prevent the intake of high calories.

Beef: Beef contains high fat levels. High-fat cuts of beef are the foods to avoid with acid reflux. If you can’t avoid beef, you must eat the lean cuts of beef which include top round, top sirloin, and eye of round and sirloin tip. This can reduce the fat and calories intake.

Coffee: Coffee contains caffeine which relaxes the esophageal sphincter and let the acid to exacerbate. Though caffeine-free coffee is safe, it too is highly acidic in nature. You can take coffee in the morning hours but avoid too much consumption during the day.

Soda: Beverages and soft drinks contain too high soda amounts. The carbon dioxide in soda also possesses danger for health. The bubbles inhibit the function of the esophagus and allow the acid to move upwards. You can add water to soda to dilute it.

Alcohol: Different types of alcohol such as beer and red wine prove harmful for people suffering from acid reflux. They block the esophageal sphincter and allow the acid to creep up from the stomach. Consuming meats and high-fat meals with alcohol doubles the risk of acid reflux. Cut out the alcohol and eat lesser meals if you want to reduce the risks of acid reflux.

Chocolate: Chocolate though sounds craving yet it has severe impacts on health. It has high caffeine and fat amounts which takes too long to be digested.

Cheese: Cheese contains a high amount of facts. Different kinds of cheeses such as stilton, cream cheese, cheddar, and Gouda have high fats. Digestion high fats take significant time. You can try the low-fat cheeses such as ricotta, and cottage cheese.

You must consider these foods to avoid with acid reflux and stay healthy.