Bland Diet for Acid Reflux

A bland diet for those who suffer from heartburn is recommended to help solve the discomfort that is felt from this type of acid reflux. This kind of diet will consist mainly of foods that are much easier for the stomach to digest, as well as foods that do not produce a lot of unnecessary acid. By taking the time to examine your diet and limit the food you eat, you can control acid reflux and the pain it can cause.

Meats and How to Cook Them

When you are looking for meats for your diet, you will want to find the leanest meats. Although lean meats cost slightly more, they produce less grease, which can cause more acid to be produced in the stomach. Greasier meats have a tendency to sit in the stomach and cause heartburn. Skinless chicken breasts are another meat that can be gentle on those who suffer from acid reflux. Various fish, such as cod and orange roughy, are milder in taste and will produce less acid in the stomach.

When cooking meat, avoid frying it in too much butter or oil. The best bet for cooking meat is to bake it, using a light spray of fat-free butter.

What Beverages to Avoid

Alcoholic beverages have a tendency to cause acid reflux because the alcohol can damage a person's stomach as well as the esophagus, causing pain. Some wines and beers can also cause an increase in how much acid is produced because of the fermenting process in which they are made. Cutting back on alcohol can help reduce the acid the stomach produces.

Acidic beverages also include coffee, soda pop, and even cocoa drinks. Soda can easily trigger an episode of acid reflux because of the carbonation, no matter if it is caffeine-free or not. The best bet for those suffering from this ailment is a diet of mainly water and limited use of the aforementioned beverages.

Other Foods

There are certain trigger foods that should be avoided, although they may vary from person to person. Tomatoes and citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are especially acidic. Many sauces, such as tomato and spaghetti sauce, can cause more acid buildup. Foods that have a high fat content in them typically take a longer time to digest, leaving them to sit in the stomach. In addition to making a person feel sluggish, this can cause acid reflux to occur. Check your labels to ensure that the food you are consuming is low in fat.

Record everything you eat for a few weeks to determine just what causes the acid reflux to occur. Reduce these foods slowly, and carefully examine your body's response. In time, you will learn what your body can easily handle, and what it cannot. Since no two people experience the same problems, it is best to tailor your diet to what works well for you.