Diet for Acid Reflux
'Acid reflux', that is also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) can be cured by following some special diet. A proper diet is the first step to stop and prevent acid reflux. It will be best if we avoid or limit those foods and drink that causes in acid reflux.
Acid reflux diet is the very important section and is the long term solution with perfect diet food plan. People with acid reflux have to understand and find out about the food and drinks that are responsible for beginning the acid reflux.
What and how to take?
First most important thing you have to do is to eat frequent and small meals instead of three big meals a day. Small quantity of food applies less workload on the stomach that also requires small amount of acid secretion for digestion. Your meal should contain high quality of carbohydrates. The food items such as pasta, bread, rice can tie up excess stomach acid and are very easy on stomach.
It is important to avoid high fat meals, mostly from fast food chain. Fast food or fatty foods takes more time for digestion and remains in the stomach for longer time. As like food item, quantity of food is also important in the prevention of acid reflux, so avoid overeating of any food. Drink like alcohol plays very important role in causing acid reflux, therefore it must be avoided or limited. It is clear that beverages don't affect acid production but some beverages such as wine, beer and pop stimulate acid secretion.
According to research, there should be fiber intake of 25 to 40 grams per day and may come from whole grains instead of starchy salads and vegetables. Fibers are very important in the elimination of food and sweeping away toxins. Fatty foods weaken LES muscle and the proper functioning of LES helps to prevent GERD.
There is misunderstanding about milk that it eases acid reflux so that many people use to drink it before sleep. But mostly it ends up causing acid reflux during sleep but it could be a quick fix to the acid reflux problem. Unluckily it is responsible for encouraging secretion of more stomach acid with its rebound action that causes acid reflux. Your meal should be very small before sleeping or you may take small snacks instead of heavy meal before sleep.
Other diet and drinks such as coffee, spicy foods and acidic fruit may make trouble leading to acid reflux therefore it must be avoided from our daily diet to reduce acid reflux. However, there is no any proper proof that these diets prevent acid reflux from root. Eating less meal and sleeping with elevating your head is the only option to cure and prevent acid reflux.
You may refer diet chart given below:
| Food type | Foods causing little heartburn |
| Vegetables | Broccoli Cabbage Baked potato Green beans Peas Carrots |
| Fruits | Apple (dried) Apple (fresh) Apple Juice Banana |
| Dairy foods | feta, goat Cheese Sour cream (fat Free) Cream cheese (fat free) Soy cheese (low fat) |
| Meat | Steak, London Broil Egg substitute Ground beef Egg whites Fish with low fat Chicken breast (skinless) |
| Grains | Corn bread Pretzels Rice cakes Graham crackers Cereal oatmeal or bran Rice (brown or white) |
| Drinks | Only mineral water |
| Sweets | Jelly beans
Red licorice Cookie (fat free) Potato chips (baked) |
