What To Eat With Acid Reflux: Best Foods for Heartburn & GERD

Heartburn is not fun, and most of us have experienced heartburn at some point in our lives. Sometimes it happens after eating a hearty meal. But for about 20% of the population, heartburn is a regular occurrence.

We all know that acid reflux is aggravated by fatty and spicy foods, but what foods are the best foods for heartburn? In this article, we’ll be taking a look at what heartburn is and what foods are good for acid reflux.

What Is Acid Reflux (GERD)?

Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a disease characterized by stomach acid coming up into the esophagus. This happens because the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) doesn’t close properly during digestion.

Heartburn is the most common, and most noticeable, symptom of GERD. However, acid reflux disease that goes unchecked can lead to some serious issues, such as esophageal ulcers and esophageal cancer.

Learn more about the relationship between anxiety and acid reflux: Can Anxiety Cause Acid Reflux – Bariatric Surgery

What Foods Help Acid Reflux Go Away?

Unfortunately, there are no foods that can help acid reflux go away on their own. GERD has no known cure, but there is evidence that some foods (particularly foods that are high in fiber and low in fat) can help reduce symptoms of GERD.

If you’re dealing with GERD or just have occasional heartburn and you want to try and reduce the effect of heartburn on your life, try eating more of the following foods.

Best Foods for Heartburn Symptoms

Noncitrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are high in citric acid, which can worsen acid reflux symptoms. But fruits are great for overall health, and more alkaline fruits such as banana, watermelon, and honeydew can help make digestion better for those with GERD.

Vegetables

There are a million reasons to eat vegetables, and their fiber content is one of the biggest. Vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, and beets can help increase your fiber and reduce acid reflux symptoms.

Lean Meats

Fatty meats have high levels of saturated fat, which is known to make heartburn worse. Choosing leaner cuts of meat such as chicken breast, tilapia, pork tenderloin, and top sirloin can help reduce your overall saturated fat intake.

hole Grains

Whole grains are high in fiber, making them ideal for reducing acid reflux symptoms. Try replacing your refined grain foods like white pasta and bread with their whole grain equivalents. If nothing else, adding more fiber in your diet will help improve your digestion overall.

Surgical Treatment for GERD & Reflux in Baltimore

If you have severe heartburn that doesn’t seem to go away and you’re in the Baltimore area, consider giving Maryland Bariatrics a call. We’re one of the leading surgery clinics in Baltimore, specializing in hernia surgery and bariatric surgery. Dysphagia (or trouble swallowing) is one of the most severe symptoms of GERD and is seen in people with both hiatal hernia and severe GERD. Learn more about how we treat hiatal hernia: GERD & Reflux Baltimore