Low-acid and low-fat foods like apples, potatoes, lean meats, and nonfat dairy products are best for heartburn. Experimenting with different foods and noting their effects can help determine which to avoid. Lifestyle changes like losing weight and quitting smoking can also help. Severe cases may require medication and a doctor’s visit.
The best foods for heartburn are generally very low in acid and fat content. Some typical items in a heartburn diet are apples, potatoes, carrots, lean meats, nonfat dairy products, multi-grain breads, and rice. Sweets like jelly beans, licorice, and any type of fat-free dessert are also considered safe to eat. These foods most likely will not cause or aggravate heartburn symptoms, but each case is different. Experimenting with different foods and noting the effects they have on heartburn after eating may help a person with heartburn determine which foods to eat or avoid.
There are a few other heartburn foods that will generally not cause problems as long as they are eaten in moderation. Some items considered safe in moderation in the diet for heartburn include berries, low-acid orange juice, garlic, eggs, hot dogs, tuna or chicken salad, yogurt, cheddar cheese, granola, root beer and ketchup.
Certain other heartburn foods should always be avoided in most cases. People diagnosed with heartburn are generally advised to stay away from citrus fruits and juices, French fries, raw onions, ground beef, chicken nuggets, ice cream, sour cream, spaghetti with tomato sauce, coffee, tea , alcoholic beverages, full-fat salad dressing, French fries, and any dessert that is not low-fat.
Certain lifestyle changes may also decrease the occurrence of heartburn and acid reflux. Losing weight and quitting smoking take time and effort, but can have a positive impact on heartburn frequency. Smaller changes include avoiding tight clothing and belts, chewing slowly, eating six small meals a day, and not lying down for a nap or sleeping immediately after eating. Some people find that sleeping with their head slightly elevated at night is also beneficial. Doing this probably works because of gravity. When a person is in a fully reclined position, it is much easier for acid to travel from the stomach up into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.
When heartburn symptoms are severe and lifestyle and diet changes don’t seem to help, a visit to the doctor is usually recommended. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is common in people with extreme heartburn. There are certain medications that a doctor can prescribe to help control GERD symptoms. These medications are often stronger and more effective than acid blocker products available without a prescription. The combination of prescription medications, lifestyle changes, and eating foods recommended for heartburn often positively impact GERD and its symptoms.
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