Foods to Avoid

Many food items are known to trigger heartburn or worsen GERD. Staying away from these foods will reduce the likelihood of suffering from heartburn and the complications of acid reflux. Below are the known 'trigger' foods that you should avoid.

Foods with high fat content. High fat foods stay in the stomach longer, this means that more acid will be produced to digest them. Patients with GERD should avoid:

• High-fat meats
• Butter and margarine
• Mayonnaise
• Creamy sauces
• Salad dressings
• Whole-milk dairy products
• fried or greasy foods

Foods that stimulate acid production.

High stomach acid content can bring on or worsen acid reflux symptoms. The following food items are known to stimulate acid production:

• Caffeinated drinks
• Carbonated beverages
• Alcohol
• Spicy foods
• Black pepper
• Citrus fruit and juices
• Tomato juice

Foods to eat

Managing acid reflux with diet requires planning meals and selecting food items. You need to be careful in choosing foods. Make sure your meals will Include foods that do not make your symptoms worse than before. If you are not sure which food can trigger the symptoms of acid reflux, then you should consider taking note of your reactions on different types on food by making a food journal. Write down everything you eat and any discomfort that you experience. This is a good way to identify which foods to avoid.

Below is a list of some of foods that are pretty much safe for heartburn sufferers to eat. Refer to this as a guideline only. Although these foods are considered safe for most people, one should not assume its accuracy. Not all food items produce the same results for everyone.

• apples
• baked potato
• bananas
• bran
• bread, multi-grain or white
• broccoli
• cabbage
• carrots
• corn
• egg white
• fish, no added fat
• green beans
• lean meat such as skinless chicken breast
• low fat cheese
• low fat salad dressing
• oatmeal
• peas
• rice, brown or white