Have you ever experienced the burning sensation of acid reflux? The sudden chest pains and a sour taste in your mouth ruin your favorite meal. Unfortunately, there are foods that make your acid reflux worse, and you might need to ditch them.
The good news? There are better alternatives for you to enjoy your favorite food without sacrificing your health. With this, we’ve rounded up 10 foods that trigger your acid reflux and what you should eat instead.
10. Midnight Snacks
If you love midnight snacks, you might want to stop this habit as it triggers your acid reflux. Set up a strict rule to avoid eating any food two hours before you plan to go to bed. If you’re someone who’s always hungry, it may take time before your stomach adjusts to not eating anything before bedtime. What you can do is to eat four to five smaller and balanced meals throughout the day.
9. Citrus Fruits
It’s a known fact by people who suffer from acid reflux that Citrus Fruits are a call for the rise of their stomach acid. The natural acidity found in Citrus Fruits such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits can increase the production of stomach acid, which makes heartburn worse. If you know that you’re suffering from acid reflux, opt for gentler fruits like apples and bananas.
8. Coffee
Caffeine found in coffee weakens the lower esophagus in your body, which triggers acid reflux. And when your esophagus weakens, it causes your stomach to flow backward which is one of the causes of acid reflux. If you really need a wake-me-up drink, you can try low-acid coffee or mushroom coffee from ground mushrooms. You can also explore non-acidic teas like matcha.
7. Tomatoes
Yup, Tomatoes and even products that are based on tomatoes, like ketchup and salsa can trigger acid reflux. Why? They relax the lower esophagus sphincter (LES), or the muscle that separates your stomach and esophagus. Consuming tomatoes may allow stomach acid to flow back, causing acid reflux. Instead of tomatoes, you can opt for pesto dishes or olive oil bases for the flavoring of your food.
6. Spicy Foods
Any Spicy Food, including hot peppers and chili, can irritate the esophagus and worsen symptoms of acid reflux. Even spices alone can relax the LES, allowing stomach acid to escape. You can instead opt for other herbs like basil and oregano for flavors. But if you really want heat, choose milder spices that won’t affect your reflux. However, beware of a sensitive stomach when picking out a mild spice.
5. Fried Foods
Who doesn’t love fried foods? Your taste buds might celebrate, but your stomach won’t, especially when acid reflux comes knocking. Fried Foods can slow down digestion and lead to relaxation of the LES. This causes increased pressure on your stomach, allowing acid to move upward. Instead, invest in an air-fryer or choose to bake your food.
4. Carbonated Beverages
Soda and sparkling water are considered Carbonated Beverages as they share the same sparkling sensation with every sip. Unfortunately, this spark in the carbonated beverage causes stomach pressure, which backflows the acid from the stomach. Instead of picking up a can of soda, you can explore your options with herbal teas. You can also opt for coconut water instead of sparkling water.
3. Chocolate
Chocolates contain caffeine, theobromine, and plant chemicals that can all trigger heartburn. Chocolates relax the LES, which allows the stomach acid to flow back to the esophagus. You can eat a small amount just to see how it affects you. But the moment that your body reacts, just opt for desserts without chocolate to fix your sweet tooth.
2. Fatty Cuts of Meat
Since Fatty Cuts found in the meat sit on your stomach longer, it can risk acid reflux. Fatty Cuts can be identified as bacon, deli meats, or sausage. Also, red meat is also high in fat. Instead of consuming meats with high-fat content, choose lean protein sources like skinless poultry or lean beef.
1. Peppermint
Don’t be fooled by the claims that Peppermint can soothe the stomach, as it’s considered an acid reflux trigger. Instead of calming your stomach, peppermint relaxes the LES that allows the stomach acid to transfer through the esophagus. Instead of Peppermint, you can say hello to ginger, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe the digestive tract.