List of Foods to Eat With Acid Reflux: Foods to Eat and Not to Eat

If you are frequently experiencing gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, do not ignore. The possibilities of encountering with severe forms of GERD can take an ugly turn if neglected for a long time. Is it frequent that you experience acid reflux? If so, one of the first things that you should consider doing is to visit the nearest gastroenterologist. The doctor will possibly give you a list of foods to eat with acid reflux. Strictly follow the diet to avoid any unnecessary associated health complications.

GERD is a severe form of acid reflux disorder. In this condition, digestive gastric acids from your stomach reverse travel to your mouth via the food pipe or esophagus. Many foods encourage the seriousness of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. You may not know exactly which foods to include in your regular diet chart and which ones not to. Thus, it is better to consult a healthcare professional before modifying your daily diet according to the frequency of GERD.

If the doctor suggests a damaged or dysfunctional esophagus, you need to avoid foods that can aggravate acid reflux. The role of esophagus is crucial when it comes to boiling down the effect of GERD. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) surrounds the lining of your esophagus as a circular band of muscles. LES forms the connection between the esophagus and your stomach. The muscular aperture of the LES opens and closes according to the entrance of food through the food pipe.

What happens when the LES is damaged? When the esophageal sphincter muscle fails to close on the entry of food through esophagus, the problem of acid reflux arises. It provokes the possibility of food to reverse via the same pathway from your stomach along with the gastric acid.

List of foods to eat with acid reflux

You need to stick to the list of foods to eat with acid reflux and the ones you need to strictly avoid. Certain beverages and food items can trigger symptoms of regurgitation and heartburn, along with a sour taste of acid in the mouth. Foods that you should dodge if you have GERD include caffeinated drinks, deep-fried items, tomato and tomato-based ketchup and salsa. Try avoiding fruits with high citric acid value, garlic, onion, mints like spearmints, spicy junk foods, alcohol, and chocolates. Foods that have more saturated fat and trans-fat than unsaturated fats are also a threat to GERD symptoms.

Amongst the list of foods to eat with acid reflux, stringently steer clear of chocolate, alcohol, and fried fatty foods. Such types of items are considered to be the worst when it comes to magnifying the effects of gastroesophageal reflux.

Tomato and citrus fruits contain a high level of acidity. Therefore, tomato-based items also exacerbate conditions of acid reflux by intensifying the formation of gastric acid inside the stomach. It leads to irritation and burning effect along the lining of the food tube, causing further damage to the lower esophageal sphincter.

Carbonated and high caffeine-containing beverages raise the level of acidity and wall pressure inside your stomach. This can easily trigger gastric acids to push up the food pipe through the esophageal sphincter and cause acid reflux. Thus, avoid drinking sodas after meals or coffee before going to bed. Chocolates are also high in caffeine content, as well as extreme levels of fats that can increase stomach acidity.

When it comes to fatty foods, freshly cut or processed meat with fat tissues and skin are the worst. Avoid luncheon meat and hot dogs from street vendors, as both falls under the category of junk and fatty foods.

Foods to eat with GERD

There is a perfect list of foods to eat with acid reflux and eliminate items that may trigger their symptoms. If you have existing problems related to acidity, be well aware of which foods to choose for your diet. There are certain healthy replacements that you may consider in your daily routine to combat issues with acid reflux.

Dairy products

Instead of consuming full-fat milk products or whole milk, try having fat free or low-fat milk, cheese, or yogurt. You may even switch to non-dairy items like almond milk or soymilk, and non-fat ice cream.

Lean meat proteins

Sausages, lunch meat, fried meat, and fatty meat are sources of high-fat content. You can eat lean meat, tofu, deskinned poultry meat, eggs, or fishes with essential fatty acids like salmon, mackerel and trout.

Baked foods

Doughnuts, croissants, biscuits, and sweet cream rolls are very high in saturated fat percentage. Go for low-fat items like bread rolls, bagels, pancakes, low-fat muffins or waffles.

Fruits

Canned and frozen citrus fruits have negative effects on your digestion. Eat freshly cut non-citrus fruits like melons, apples, and bananas.

Vegetables

Avoid frying vegetables or tossing them with cream and other spicy toppings. Try lentils in the form of soup or green salad, beans and sprouts, starchy veggies and other legumes. Always consider the boiled or grilled form of veggies than oil-tossed or fried.

Soups

You might find soups with creamy tomato flavor, but it is dangerous for your stomach if you have GERD. Instead of thick garlic tossed or creamy tomato soups, have chicken broths and green veggies. Add a little salt and white pepper for taste, but do not add too much considering the spice value.

Takeaway note

Every individual has a different take on the type of diet they follow. Take your symptoms seriously from the beginning. Do not compare your diet with anyone else. Stick to your own as problems like acid reflux or GERD does not have the same impact for all.

Follow a healthy routine of waking up early and starting your day with a healthy bowl of oatmeal or cereals. Exercise to stay fit and ensure complete digestion of food. Have healthy snacks throughout the day like low-fat hummus or brown bread rolls. Drink a soothing cup of ginger tea at night to ease the digestion process and prevent acidity.