Acid Reflux Foods

Acid Indigestion: Foods To Avoid

Acid indigestion foods are those that can lead to an excess level of acid in the stomach. When you suffer from acid indigestion or heartburn, many doctors recommend that you avoid certain foods as they may trigger an episode. In some cases, you may be able to consume small quantities of the foods if you watch the rest of your diet.

Acid indigestion involves an excess amount of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Some doctors believe that it may also be due to not enough protection from the mucus that lines that stomach. The condition may be accompanied by heartburn, which is caused by the stomach acid refluxing up into a person¡¦s esophagus, but it doesn¡¦t have to be.

Symptoms of acid indigestion include pain or burning in the stomach area, nausea, uncontrolled burping, heartburn, or bloating. Foods that can stimulate excess acid production in the stomach include items like:

„h Tomatoes or tomato based items like tomato juice, pasta sauces, and pizza sauces

„h Garlic

„h Onions

„h Citrus fruits and juices

„h Coffee

„h Alcohol

„h Caffeinated items including chocolate

„h Drinks that are carbonated like soda

„h Milk and some other dairy products

„h Other spicy foods

In addition to these foods and drinks, smoking, eating too fast or too much, and certain other stomach ailments can all contribute to the problem.

To help reduce the occurrence of acid indigestion and protect your stomach, you should avoid as much as possible the foods that seem to trigger the condition for you. If you smoke, quitting will help reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces and it will help strengthen the stomach¡¦s protective layer. You should also avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory drugs which can damage the lining of your stomach.

Another thing you can do is to give you body a chance to digest your meals. Try to eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of only a few larger meals per day. Stay upright for about an hour after eating to better help your body digest the food. You should also avoid strenuous activity for an hour before or after you eat.

Other things that you can do include eating more slowly and trying to avoid foods that are high in fat. You may need to give up greasy burgers and fries and choose healthy, lower fat alternatives. You can also try taking antacids or H2 blockers when the condition flares up. Your pharmacists should be able to direct you to recommended products.

Generally, you can treat acid indigestion on your own with over the counter medications if you only get the problem from time to time. You should consult with a doctor if the symptoms are severe or if you are repeatedly getting them even though you are actively attempting to reduce their occurrence.

Avoiding acid indigestion foods will help you reduce the times that you¡¦ll suffer from the problem. Always consult with your doctor about chronic problems or severe symptoms. Otherwise, try avoiding the foods that trigger excess acid production and eating smaller meals.