Acid Reflux Diet - Part 1

What is a diet for acid reflux? Many people have acid reflux. It’s that feeling when the muscular ring at the lower end of the esophagus opens at the wrong time and lets stomach juices flow back into the esophagus. It is not a disease. It is a muscular problem. It is thought by some that adjusting diet will cure acid reflux.

Ask what is a diet for acid reflux, however, and many doctors shrug. They tell patients to keep a journal of what they eat and when acid reflux occurs. If a pattern develops, the “trigger” food should be avoided.

For example, let’s say that you get acid reflux every time you eat spaghetti. You notice that pattern, says the doctor, and stop eating spaghetti. Use that method until you have eliminated all foods that seem to trigger acid reflux.

The problem here is that spaghetti may not be the culprit. Perhaps you love spaghetti so much that you always overeat when it is served. Acid reflux may be triggered by overeating. Or suppose you just happen to be wearing clothing with a tight waistband every time you eat spaghetti. Tight clothing can cause acid reflux.

Nevertheless, let’s consider the common advice on what foods to avoid with acid reflux.

What Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux

Most health care providers recommend that those suffering frequent acid reflux avoid foods that are acidic in nature. The belief is that acid reflux is occurring because the stomach is too acidic. If you eat acidic foods, you will aggravate the problem.

What is a diet for acid reflux like if it eliminates all acidic foods? You will no longer eat any of the following:

* Citrus fruits and juices: oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits
* Cranberries and cranberry products
* Salad dressings containing vinegar
* Tomatoes, tomato juice, sauces, puree, etc.

The question of what foods to avoid with acid reflux goes further, though. Not only is the acidity of our food thought to be a factor. Foods such as mashed potatoes, which are not acidic, are also thought to trigger acid reflux. Foods containing fats or spices are added to the list. Sweets that may sit heavy in the stomach are claimed as triggers. So are dairy products. All coffee and tea, caffeinated and decaffeinated, are said to belong on a list of what foods to avoid with acid reflux.

What Is A Diet for Acid Reflux?

Many lists leave you thinking that it is a starvation diet. Yet, as noted above, this is not a disease. This is a muscular problem. The symptoms of acid reflux are acid flowing back into the esophagus. Can heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD be caused by nothing more than diet? Is there no other treatment that might be effective?

In Part 2 of this article, we will discuss the answer to that question.

CAUTION: If you have heartburn, acid reflux, or GERD on a regular basis, please see your doctor. The information here is for educational purposes only. The author is not a licensed medical professional.