If you suffer from acid reflux, you know how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be. Acid reflux, sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a common problem that occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This backwash of acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus and cause some unpleasant symptoms. Fortunately, there are some foods and drinks that can help to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux. In this blog post, we will discuss the best foods and drinks to eat if you have acid reflux and some to avoid.
One of the best things you can do to help relieve your acid reflux symptoms is to eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This will help to keep your stomach from becoming too full and will reduce the amount of acid that flows back into your esophagus. Try to eat five or six small meals each day instead of three large meals.
While the following foods can’t cure acid reflux, they may help to manage and alleviate symptoms. These include:
- Green beans, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, leafy greens, potatoes and cucumbers are good choices because they are low-fat and low-sugar vegetables.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that are thought to be useful in the treatment of heartburn and other stomach ailments. Adding grated or sliced ginger root to recipes or smoothies, or drinking ginger tea can help ease acid reflux symptoms.
- Fruits such as bananas, melons, oranges and pears are good choices because they are lower in acid than other fruits.
- Oatmeal and other whole grains like barley or quinoa can help absorb stomach acids and reduce symptoms of reflux.
- Some yogurts contain probiotics that may help to neutralize stomach acid
Some drinks can help to relieve symptoms of acid reflux as well. These include:
- Water is a good choice because it will help to dilute stomach acids. Try to drink eight glasses of water each day.
- Herbal teas like chamomile, lavender or ginger tea can help soothe the digestive system
There are also certain foods and drinks that you should avoid if you suffer from acid reflux. Acidic foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and chocolate can trigger symptoms. Coffee, tea, and soda can also aggravate symptoms. Fatty foods, spicy foods and mints can also cause problems for people with acid reflux. If you suffer from acid reflux, you may want to avoid these trigger foods and drinks.
If you suffer from acid reflux and or have concerns about your digestive health, make an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Gastroenterology Associates of Tidewater. A gastroenterologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of diseases and disorders concerning the digestive system which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or rectum as well as the gall bladder, liver, bile ducts and pancreas.
With a gastroenterologist’s help, you can develop a treatment plan that will work best for you and help you to find relief from your symptoms. Call us today at (757) 547-0798 to make an appointment.