Nothing ruins a delicious meal like the painful appearance of acid reflux. Depending on what you're eating, your foods can be the problem.
Acid reflux can be frustrating and really painful. It’s something you want to prevent at all costs, but how do you avoid it? There are many foods you can stop eating and several home remedies to try. Here are some steps to keep you acid reflux free.
What Foods to Avoid
Stay away from these foods and you'll notice a decline in your acid reflux suffering.
- Chocolate
Sad news for chocolate lovers, because it is one major food to avoid since it contains stimulants and is also high in fats. - Soda
Caffeinated sodas and other carbonated beverages are some of the main causes of acid reflux. The bubbles of carbonation expand inside the stomach, and the increased pressure contributes to reflux. - Fried Food
This is the single most recognized cause of reflux. It is also the food most often associated with heartburn, which is chest pain from esophageal reflux. - Alcoholic Beverages
Alcohol is said to relax the valve at the bottom of the esophagus, leading to reflux. If you still choose to drink, stop at one glass of wine a day and avoid acidic mixers.
What Food to Eat
Luckily, there are several foods that keep acid reflux at bay.
- Oatmeal
It absorbs the acidity that causes reflux and is very filling. - Ginger
It can be used in cooking or shaved into smoothies to reduce acid. - Salad
As long as you leave out tomatoes, onions, cheese and dressings that are high in fat or acid. - Bananas and Melons
Both are good snacks to keep acid reflux at bay. - Fennel
It's great to add thinly sliced to a salad or to add to other recipes that would benefit from a mild licorice flavor and it also helps reduce the acid in a dish. - Poultry
Poultry is a good main dish to serve if you are trying to avoid acid. You can boil, bake, grill or saute it, but don't fry it, and make sure the skin is taken off. - Fish and Seafood
Wild caught fish is best, but fish, lobster, and shrimp in general are safe to consume when you want to prevent acid reflux.
Home Remedies
- Chewing gum
Surprising remedy for acid reflux, isn't it? Try chewing a piece thirty minutes after your meal to calm your reflux symptoms. - Baking Soda
This household item can cure just about anything. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed into a glass of water when you have acid reflux pain. Don’t use it as a frequent remedy though because it contains a high amount of sodium
