Saturated fats such as butter, cream and cheese, can be especially bad for acid reflux, so try to ensure that the fats you eat are healthier unsaturated ones, such as avocado or walnuts.
Dairy products can trigger reflux symptoms in some more advanced cases of GERD, most notably milk, cheese and butter. The high amount of fat in addition to the lactose found in dairy can affect your stomach emptying in a way that triggers stomach acid backup.
Toast can help decrease nausea and reduce heartburn, but not all toast is the same. Whole wheat bread is more healthful than white bread but is high in fiber and can be difficult for some people to eat. If a person has trouble digesting whole wheat toast, the first step is to try it plain without butter.
Although mostly fat, butter is a low-acid food.
Low-acid products have to be pressure-canned by tested processes to be kept in a sealed jar at room temperature.
Butter is acidic when salted and neutral when unsalted. What is the pH level of butter? Butter has a 6.0 pH level when salted and 7.0 pH level when unsalted, once digested. When you eat food, it is broken down to an ash residue that can be neutral, acidic or alkaline.
Refined olive oil has a high acidity level, while extra virgin olive oil has an acidity level of less than 1.5 percent, making it the best choice in olive oils for those with heartburn and acid reflux. Like any other trigger, olive oil is not going to affect all heartburn sufferers in the same way.
High-fat and processed red meat (like hot dogs): These have a lot of saturated fat, which can cause inflammation if you get more than a small amount each day. Butter, whole milk, and cheese:Again, the problem is saturated fat. Instead, eat low-fat dairy products. They aren't considered inflammatory.
Lettuce, celery and sweet peppers – These mild green veggies are easy on the stomach – and won't cause painful gas. Brown rice – This complex carbohydrate is mild and filling – just don't serve it fried. Melons – Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are among the best foods for acid reflux.
Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms. Whole Grain Rice: Whole grains are great to absorb the acids causing reflux, and rice is one of the most absorbent.
GERD-Friendly Breakfast Meals
Top with granola or muesli. Whole grain toast (choose an artisan bread for more flavor) with peanut butter. Top with slivered almonds or sliced banana.
Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.
Milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms. Furthermore, cold dairy products like ice cream can actually numb and inhibit the lower esophageal sphincter's function.
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets. Lean chicken and meat: Order or cook it grilled instead of fried. Plain breads and cereals: Skip overly processed carbs with high-fat ingredients like muffins and croissants.
Green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, peas, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts are known to prevent and alleviate acid reflux. In addition to being very low in fat, these vegetables are also high in alkaline content. The low pH offsets the high pH of the stomach acid.
If you enjoy yogurt in the mornings or for a mid-afternoon snack, then you're in luck. Yogurt, as long as it is fat-free, may not cause any discomfort in those who occasionally deal with acid reflux.
It's sad but true: chocolate can increase the acid exposure to the lower end of the esophagus and induce reflux3. Milk chocolate can also be high in fat4, another reason the sweet is problematic for acid reflux sufferers.
Cutting back on foods that are known triggers for GERD – including coffee, fatty-rich meals, chocolate, red sauces, alcohol and carbonated beverages – can help reduce acid reflux pain.
Put carrots and kale on your list. Their beta-carotene and other nutrients can help repair acid-damaged tissue.
Meanwhile, certain home remedies and lifestyle changes may help you get rid of GERD for good. You can try avoiding trigger foods and lying down after eating, losing excess weight, exercising, and quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol, if applicable. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to cure GERD.
Low in fat, egg whites are easier to digest, so they may be less likely to trigger your GERD. However, egg yolks are high in fat, so may increase your chances of getting acid reflux. If you want to include eggs in your diet, you could consider removing the yolks first.
Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.