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Food Diet for Acid Reflux

Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, acid reflux disease can occur in adults and children and is marked by burning or discomfort when stomach acid and bile splash up into the esophagus. Although there are prescription and over-the-counter medications that can help alleviate the symptoms of acid reflux, you should start with a proper diet to ward off this unpleasant condition.

  1. Diet Recommendations

    • Choose foods that are not irritants to the stomach and esophagus, including low-fat foods (fiber cereal, egg whites), lean proteins (fish, chicken breast) and fresh fruits and vegetables (baked potato, broccoli, apples, cabbage, green beans). These all help close the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent bile from moving up into the esophagus and causing pain.
      Improving your diet is more than just choosing the right foods: It's also about changing the way you prepare them. Lean beef, chicken and fish should be baked, grilled or boiled instead of fried, and you should always remove their skin, as this is where much of the fat is.
      Foods that should be eliminated or severely limited include processed and fatty meats, cakes, cookies, pies, butter and lard, drinks with caffeine, alcohol, mint, chocolate, coffee, whole milk and carbonated and sugary drinks.

    Other Diet Considerations

    • It is more important to eat smaller meals when you have acid reflux. Overeating can trigger heartburn, since eating more food causes your stomach to produce more acids for digestion.
      Eat your last meal no later than two hours before going to bed to give your body enough time to digest the food. Also, be sure to sit in an upright position for at least 45 minutes after a meal and elevate your head 6 to 8 inches when you sleep to prevent stomach acid from creeping up into your esophagus.

    When to Call The Doctor

    • You should contact your physician if you have prolonged or extreme heartburn pain that is not alleviated by eating healthy or taking medication. This could be the sign of a more serious condition, such as a hiatal hernia (a condition in which part of the stomach actually sticks out into the chest through the diaphragm).

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