Foods to Avoid With Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease is a condition where acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus and into your throat. Other symptoms include heart burn and stomach pain. It is important to control stomach acid reflux since it can lead to more serious conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus and cancer. Most people take medication to control reflux, but there are also foods you can avoid that will help reduce the symptoms.

Fatty Foods

The best way to avoid acid reflux is to avoid fatty foods like those made at fast food restaurants, deep fried things and meats loaded with fat. You will also want to avoid high fat dairy products as well. Eating chocolate is also not advisable since chocolate can weaken the sphincter muscle in the lower esophagus. If you must eat chocolate, dark is better for you than milk chocolate. You should still limit your consumption.

Alcohol and Caffeine

Drinks with caffeine, like coffee, are high in acid and can aggravate your stomach. You should try to cut your intact in half. Coffee helps promote the secretion of acid in the stomach, something you don't want more of. Alcohol can also increase the amount of acid in your stomach and it is best to cut down or avoid it all together. For those of you thinking of switching over to tea, it is important to note that peppermint can also act as an irritant.

Spicy Foods and Vegetables

You should also try to identify which foods give you symptoms. Sometimes spicy or tomato-based foods can worsen acid reflux. Keep an eye on your symptoms after eating something spicy or citrus foods. Tomatoes can be a major culprit, so just monitor your symptoms after you eat them. Some vegetables are also high in acids, such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and onions.