Your Eating Habits and Acid Reflux

What is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a digestive disorder in which the liquid contents of the stomach are regurgitated into the esophagus. This liquid, since it has come from the stomach, contains acids that are used in digestion, even bile. When this liquid is sent back up to the esophagus, these acids injure, inflame, and damage that organ.

Also known as heartburn, acid reflux is a chronic condition. Once it has begun, it will usually last for an entire person’s life. Most people who are afflicted with serious heartburn symptoms will need to seek treatment for their esophagus. However, future acid reflux attacks will continue to damage the organ, thereby precipitating the need for further treatment. For this reason, treatment for acid reflux is usually conducted on an ongoing basis.

Despite its misleading name, heartburn is not a cardiovascular condition – it’s a digestive disorder. Therefore, it stands to sense that what you eat has a significant effect on the onset and seriousness of heartburn symptoms. The cardinal rule in preventing heartburn, then, is to watch what you eat.

Watch What You Eat

As mentioned before, acid reflux is a digestive disorder. Certain foods are prone to trigger an attack, while others will carry less risk. In your quest to prevent acid reflux and alleviate its symptoms, you must understand the effects that different foods have on your condition.

Safe Foods

These foods have very little potential in terms of causing heartburn. These food items include fruits like apples and bananas, vegetables like cabbage, carrots, and peas, meat like lean ground beef, chicken breast, egg whites, dairy products such as cheese (provided that they are fat-free), and grains such as oatmeal and bran. Generally, all foods that are high in fat and acidic content should be avoided. Whenever in doubt, stick to the low-fat varieties of food.

Moderate Foods

These foods may or may not cause acid reflux. However, it is better to consume these items in moderation – it really is a small sacrifice to make, if it can prevent an attack from occurring. Eat these foods occasionally; never often. Moderate foods include fruits like peaches, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries. Meanwhile, vegetables like onions (cooked), garlic, scallions, sauerkraut, and leeks. Fried eggs, fried fish, hot dogs, and ham have the potential to cause acid reflux, but not excessively so. Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese varieties such as cheddar and mozzarella should also be enjoyed in moderation.

Unsafe Foods

These foods, when eaten, carry with them an increased risk of an acid reflux attack. As such, these food items should be eaten sparingly. These include fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, which are fruits that are high in acidic content. Vegetables like onions (raw) are traditional culprits. Portions of meat that have high-fat content should also be avoided. So should ice cream, chocolates, brownies, doughnuts, potato chips, and high-fat salad dressings. Beverages like wine, coffee, and tea should be taken sparingly, if at all.