Vegetables not good for acidity often include onions, garlic, tomatoes (and tomato products), and spicy peppers, as they can trigger heartburn, while gas-producing vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, and some green peppers, may also cause issues for sensitive individuals, so it's best to note personal triggers.
Cabbage and Broccoli
The first acid reflux-triggering vegetables are cabbage and broccoli. While these vegetables are rich in fiber, they may also cause gas to build up in the stomach. As a result, stomach acid levels may rise and travel up into the esophagus.
Treating acid reflux in kids involves lifestyle changes like upright feeding, smaller meals, and avoiding trigger foods (spicy, fatty, caffeine) for infants, with medications like H2 blockers or Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) prescribed if needed, though surgery is rare; always consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment, as many children outgrow it.
Management and Treatment
If you need immediate heartburn relief, try these natural remedies: Eat yogurt or drink some milk. Stir in a tablespoon of honey into warm milk and drink it. Chew gum to neutralize (weaken) the acid.
Foods that can trigger reflux:
Bananas help to keep the acidity levels in your stomach and esophagus down, which then keeps heartburn at bay. Give you an energy boost. Bananas are high in carbohydrates and sugars, which can give you a quick boost of energy when you're feeling tired (because when you're pregnant, when are you not tired?).
High-fiber foods
Fibrous foods make you feel full so you're less likely to overeat, which may contribute to heartburn. So, load up on healthy fiber from these foods: Whole grains such as oatmeal, couscous and brown rice. Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots and beets.
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.
Full-fat yogurts may actually trigger acid reflux symptoms in sensitive individuals. Opt for low-fat or non-fat versions if you're managing heartburn. Flavored yogurts can contain high levels of sugar, artificial sweeteners, and additives that may irritate your stomach and increase acid production.
Babies with GER have normal weight gain and generally don't have trouble with feedings. They also seem unaffected by the reflux. Infant reflux usually begins at 2 to 3 weeks and peaks at 4 to 5 months. It should fully go away at 9 to 12 months.
Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, and doxepin (Silenor). Calcium channel blockers, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and nitrates used for high blood pressure and heart disease. Narcotics, also called opioids, such as codeine, and those that have hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
Banana is a low-acid fruit, making it very safe for those with acid reflux. Bananas can help coat the esophagus that has been irritated by stomach acid. This fruit is also believed to help neutralize acid and relieve GERD symptoms. Additionally, bananas contain fiber that supports digestive health.
Hyperacidity, also known as acid dyspepsia, is a condition where the stomach produces excessive acid, leading to symptoms like heartburn, nausea, bloating, and indigestion. This excess acid can irritate the lining of the stomach and esophagus, resulting in discomfort or even more severe complications if left untreated.
Additionally, blueberries may help lower LDL cholesterol and improve blood vessel function, reducing the risk of heart disease. However, for individuals with sensitive digestive systems, consuming blueberries may sometimes trigger acid reflux symptoms.
Salmon. Salmon is a low-acidic food and an excellent source of lean protein. Lean proteins may help support the lower esophageal sphincter and reduce heartburn symptoms. Plus, salmon may bring the added benefit of reducing inflammation because it's rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Tomatoes—and foods made from tomatoes like tomato sauce, tomato paste, salsa and ketchup—have a lot of acid. That acid may make heartburn and reflux worse if you have GERD. You can buy low-acid versions of some tomato products. Adding a bit of baking soda may also reduce the acid levels in tomato dishes.
A good breakfast for acid reflux includes low-acid, high-fiber, and low-fat options. Foods like oatmeal, whole-grain toast, non-citrus fruits (bananas, apples, melons), and lean proteins (scrambled egg whites, turkey) are excellent choices. Avoid acidic drinks like orange juice and opt for herbal tea or water instead.
Here are the 13 most acidic fruits and their pH value.
High-acid foods, which create more acid when digested, include: Meat, including fresh and processed. Poultry, like chicken and turkey. Fish, such as salmon, shrimp, scallops, and tuna.
To incorporate bananas as a home remedy for severe gas and acidity, try eating a ripe banana daily, either on its own or with meals. This simple addition to your diet can help naturally balance stomach acid levels and promote healthy digestion.
You should consume bananas in the morning time with other breakfast items and avoid eating bananas on an empty stomach at all times. There is no scientific evidence that concludes that it is harmful to eat bananas at the night time.
Given the nutritional content and the low risk of potassium toxicity or radiation poisoning, most people can safely enjoy one to two bananas per day as part of a balanced diet.