If you are suffering from gastric or acid reflux, observing a proper acid reflux diet is quite critical in order to avoid most of its symptoms. In this regard, it is important for you to have a bit of knowledge on some of the food to eat and those foods to avoid for you to be able to manage your condition. This article will hence discuss some of the foods to include in your acid reflux diet and those that you should totally avoid.
Acid Reflux Diet: Foods to Include
Papaya: Papaya is highly rich in papain (protease), an enzyme that promotes the digestion of proteins hence reducing dyspepsia. Papaya should hence be a major part of the diet if you are suffering from acid reflux and especially if you are on acid reducers.
Pineapple: Pineapple is also another of food that should form a major part of the diet for a person suffering from gastric reflux. It contains bromelain which is also another protease that promotes faster digestion.
Protein: Including foods that contain protein in your acid reflux diet is also very important. Protein rich foods exert pressure on your lower esophageal sphincter muscle which seals off your stomach. This prevents regurgitation of acids up your throat hence hindering most of the gastric reflux symptoms as no acids are allowed to leave your stomach. Some of the protein foods to consume hence include lean meats, protein powders and supplements. However, stick to leaner meats such as fish and chicken breasts and avoid fatty meats since they are major contributors to heartburns.
Fiber: Foods that contain high fiber should also form a major part of your acid reflux diet. Most people who suffer from acid reflux and consume a lot of high fiber content foods have been found to have less esophageal damage compared to their counterparts who consume low fiber foods. While most foods contain fiber, the best sources of fiber containing foods include tropical fruits such as berries, papaya, pineapples and vegetables that are non-starchy. These foods will effectively reducing your heartburn as well as improve your general health.
Foods to avoid in your acid reflux diet
Generally, acid or spicy and fatty foods should never find their way into your acid reflux diet. Similarly, you should totally avoid fruits such as tomatoes and lemon in addition to orange juice, lemonade, grapefruit and cranberry juice as they contain a lot of acid.
Though I mentioned that vegetable are beneficial in an acid reflux diet, take note that I particularly mentioned “non starchy vegetable.” Other vegetables, and their products, such as raw onions, French fries, corn and potato chips should be totally avoided. However, if you feel that you can not do without vegetables, take the safe option. Eat baked potatoes as well as baked potato chips.
Salad dressing that contains vinegar and oils as well as creamy salad dressing are not good for your acid reflux. Instead, go for salad dressing which is low in fat content.
Try and avoid dairy products such as milk shakes, cottage cheese, and sour cream as they are not god for acid reflux. The same goes for diets containing grain products such as spaghetti (with sauce), cheese and macaroni.
Though meats are a good source of protein which is good for acid reflux, avoid marbled sirloin, chuck ground beef, buffalo wings and chicken nugget in your acid reflux diet. These portions are a bit fatty and hence you should go for leaner portions.
Sweets have also been identified as triggers for acid reflux and hence should not be included in your acid reflux diet. Specifically, avoid doughnuts, chocolate and cookies. However, you can east safe sweets such eat cookies that are fat free, red licorice and jelly beans. Also make a habit of including some mineral water in you acid reflux diet to wash your food down, but strictly avoid tea, wine, coffee or liquor in this diet.
