Acid Reflux Diet – Facts and Myths

Contrary to popular belief, milk does not help acid reflux. People tend to think that milk is helpful because it calms down the burning sensation in the esophagus. In fact milk does have these cooling properties going down, but when it reaches the stomach more acid is built. Usually foods high in citrus and spices do not cause acid reflux. More often than not overeating causes most of the problems. Those who are on an acid reflux diet need to have many small meals during the day rather than a few large meals. Take everything in moderation, you can enjoy your citrus fruits ands spicy foods as long as you don't overdo it.

Tomato products are bad for those who are on an acid reflux diet. You may have an acid reflux episode if you eat tomato-based products because of their high acid content. This is also true for foods containing garlic and onions. Limiting the intake of these foods is preferable although you may eat small amounts from time to time. Chocolate and fatty foods are also culprits, so eat this sparingly. These types of foods are heavy on your stomach and take up more room. The longer the food is in your stomach and the more food is in your stomach the more acid can build up and potentially cause a lot of acid reflux.

Appropriate Foods for the Acid Reflux Diet

You may worry that being on an acid reflux diet means that you can no longer enjoy the many foods that you have come to love. This is far from the truth because almost any food can be eaten in moderation, and there happens to be many foods that are better for you. What you really want to eat when you're on an acid reflux diet is complex carbohydrates. These great foods such as breads and pastas tend to soak up the acid in your stomach, reducing the amount that can go up your esophagus. These foods are good for an acid reflux diet, but they can also cause weight gain, so it is better to eat smaller portions of these.

Frying foods should be avoided. To help yourself maintain a good weight and also stem acid reflux, you should bake or broil foods instead of frying them. Do not drink to excess, especially wines. You may drink in moderation but too much can lead to more acid building up in your system.

Non-carbonated beverages are preferable. Decaf coffee is ok in moderation but water is the best for you. Many different types of flavored water are available and they are quite good for you and for an acid reflux diet. Herbal tea is another good choice. Experimenting with your foods to test your tolerance is not unheard of. Everybody reacts to foods differently. By using moderation and making sure you understand the causes of acid reflux, you should be able to eat healthily and be happy on an acid reflux diet.