Whole grains — High fiber, whole-grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole grain breads help stop symptoms of acid reflux. They are a good source of fiber and may help absorb stomach acid. Lean protein — Low-fat, lean sources of protein also reduce symptoms. Good choices are chicken, seafood, tofu, and egg whites.
Acid reflux can cause a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms, however. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows up into a person's esophagus, or food pipe.
"Milk is often thought to relieve heartburn," says Gupta. "But you have to keep in mind that milk comes in different varieties — whole milk with the full amount of fat, 2% fat, and skim or nonfat milk. The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux.
Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation. It is easy to choose foods by looking them up to see how acidic they are.
Water. In general, drinking water can help balance the pH of a particularly acidic meal, which may help to lower the risk of acid reflux. Studies show that drinking mineral water with a high hydrogen carbonate content can help to alleviate the frequency and severity of acid reflux.
Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bread, and brown rice are healthy, hearty ways to combat occasional heartburn. These complex carbohydrates not only help absorb acid in the stomach, but they're also full of vitamins and minerals.
1. DAIRY. 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.
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.
Ginger. You might already grab ginger when you have a bellyache, but its stomach-calming properties are thought to help reduce acid reflux symptoms too. Try making a soothing tea, by steeping sliced fresh ginger in hot water, or chewing on unsweetened ginger candies.
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.
Soda – Sodas and other carbonated beverages, specifically caffeinated ones, are one of the biggest risk factors for acid reflux. Carbonation causes distension in the stomach, which increases pressure on the esophageal sphincter, leading to reflux.
Honey is a well-known antioxidant and helps protect cells from free radicals. These free radicals may cause acid reflux because they can harm the lining in your esophagus, resulting in inflammation. Thus, adding some honey to warm water may reduce inflammation and soothe the burning sensation.
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.
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.
Melons: potentially safe to eat if you have acid reflux
Watermelons and cantaloupes are high in vitamins and super low in calories. They're also high on the pH scale, meaning that they're relatively low in acid.
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.
The high levels of monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil have been found to reduce acid reflux and inflammation in the esophagus. Additionally, compounds found in the oil can help strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter, which is responsible for keeping stomach acids from flowing back up into the esophagus.
Dairy foods: Limit whole milk, cream, ice cream, and full-fat yogurt. Dairy foods can increase stomach acid, and high-fat foods can relax the esophageal sphincter muscle. Choose small servings of low-fat versions or non-dairy milk products instead.