Acid Reflux Foods

Acid Reflux And Foods You Should Avoid

Doctors can give you information about acid reflux and foods to avoid if you suffer from this problem. People generally see doctors about their acid reflux when the condition occurs frequently or if the symptoms are severe. They may also seek out advice when over the counter medications don¡¦t seem to be working.

Many people, however, choose to treat their acid reflux by themselves by making lifestyle changes and taking over the counter antacids or H2 antagonists. These methods will often reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. Food choices can be one of the more important changes that people make in trying to reduce acid reflux.

Medical professionals recommend that individuals suffering from acid reflux disease eat smaller more frequent meals throughout the day. Individuals should also remain upright for at least an hour after eating and avoid strenuous activity during this time. For individuals who get acid reflux during the night, using a wedge under a person¡¦s upper body to elevate it will often help reduce the symptoms.

Some of the foods that should be avoided or consumed in very limited amounts include:

„h Fruits: some fruits or fruit juices may increase acid in the stomach including orange juice, lemons, grapefruits, cranberries, and tomatoes.

„h Vegetables: onions, French fries, and mashed potatoes. You should also avoid heavy butter or cream sauces on any other vegetables. Steam vegetables or enjoy them with a broth based sauce.

„h Dairy: avoid full fat dairy as well as ice cream, sour cream, and cottage cheese.

„h Meat: again, avoid full fat meats and meat that has been fried. Grill meat if possible and choose lean cuts, white meats, or fish.

„h Drinks: avoid alcoholic beverages, sodas, coffee, and teas. Try to avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks and anything that contains alcohol.

„h Desserts: try to avoid high fat desserts including potato chips, brownies, and doughnuts. You should also avoid chocolate and chocolate based desserts. Try lighter options like angel food cake instead.

In addition to avoiding certain foods, you should also stop smoking if you currently do so.

Not all foods trigger acid reflux for all individuals. If you want to know which particular foods contribute to your heartburn so you can avoid them, try keeping a food diary. Take note of what you eat, how much of each food you eat, and the days that you have heartburn.

After comparing the dates that you have heartburn, you may find some patterns on those days and the foods eaten. Take note of the foods that seem to trigger acid reflux and avoid them for a while. See if your acid reflux improves when you stay away from these foods.

You may find that some of the foods on the list don¡¦t bother you and that foods not listed do. Each person experiences acid indigestion differently so knowing what contributes to yours will help you. Learning about acid reflux and foods to avoid will help you prevent future attacks.