Stomach acid reflux is a common problem.
Your doctor may recommend that you avoid foods and drinks known to make stomach acid reflux worse. These include fatty foods, alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated drinks (such as coffee, tea, soda), peppermint, spearmint, and spices. If you are overweight, dieting may also help. It’s alright to drink cranberry juice, apple juice diluted with water, and herbal teas (except peppermint and spearmint). Drink lots of water.
Coffee Substitutes: Postum; Coffee (Swiss blend of chicory, figs, wheat, malted barley & acorns)
Foods & Drinks to Avoid | Acid Fruits to Avoid | Spicy Meals in These Restaurants | Many Individuals are Sensitive To: | Other Anti-Reflux Measures |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fatty foods | Orange | Japanese | Cucumbers | Don’t eat or drink for 2 hours before going to bed |
Alcohol | Grapefruit | Mexican | Scallions | Avoid lying down after meals |
Chocolate | Pineapple | Thai | Onions | Elevate the head of your bed 6 inches (Use a bed wedge from any surgical supply store) |
Coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks (decaffeinated coffee still has some caffeine) | Pomegranate | Chinese | Radishes | Don’t wear tight clothing around your abdomen |
Peppermint & spearmint | Tomato | Indian | Leeks | Avoid straining, weight lifting, prolonged bending, constipation |
Spices & vinegar | Lemon/Lime | Some Italian | Lose weight (if you are overweight) | |
Citrus fruits & juices | Sour Apple | Avoid Dairy Products (Cause excess mucus, refrain) | ||
Tomatoes & tomato sauces | Sour Grape | |||
Sour Peach | ||||
Sour Plum | ||||
Sub-Acid Fruits to Avoid | ||||
Fresh Fig | ||||
Pear | ||||
Sweet Cherry | ||||
Papaya | ||||
Mango | ||||
Cherimoya | ||||
Sweat Peach | ||||
Sweet Apple | ||||
Apricot | ||||
Sweet Plum | ||||
Huckleberry | ||||
Mangosteen |
Since the likelihood of reflux increases after a meal, it is important to avoid eating or drinking for 2 hours before going to bed, except for taking any medicine prescribed by your doctor. Remember to avoid lying down after any meal.
Reflux-ACCEPTABLE Foods (If Cooked with Mild Herbs)
Meats | Fish | Vegetables & Starches | Sweet Fruits | Herbs & Seasonings | Potatoes |
All Tenderloin, Flank, T-Bone & Porterhouse Steak | Sole | Beets | Bananas | Basil Leaves | All Red, White, Sweet & Yams (No canned potatoes) |
Rib & Rump Roast | Halibut | Carrots | Dates | Bay Leaves | |
Liver | Monk | Eggplant (Grilled or sautéed only) | Figs | Chervil Leaves | Rice |
Veal | Tuna | Kidney Beans | Raisins | Chives | All White, Brown & Gourmets |
Chicken | Bass | Lima Beans | Thompson & Muscat | Cilantro Leaves | |
Capons & Cornish Hens | Smoked Fish | String Beans | Grapes | Dill Weed | Soups |
Turkey | Salmon | Spinach | Prunes | Marjoram | All non-tomato, use with discretion (Creamed soups may cause excess mucus and/or reflux disorders) |
Loin Pork Chops | Flounder | Artichokes | Persimmons | Oregano Leaves (Mediterranean) | |
Pheasant | Haddock | Asparagus | Melons | Parsley Flakes | Pasta |
Quail | Lobster | Brussel Sprouts | Strawberries | Rosemary | Pesto Sauce, Garlic & Oil |
Venison | Mackerel | Cauliflower | Raspberries | Sage | White Clam Sauce only |
Perch | Buttercup Squash | Blueberries | Savory | ||
Pike | Acorn Squash | Blackberries | Tarragon Leaves | ||
Shad | Butternut Squash | Sun-Dried Pears | Thyme | ||
Scallops | Delicata Squash | Garlic | |||
Shrimp | Zucchini Squash (Both yellow and green) | Soy Sauce | |||
Trout | Gourmet Squash | White Pepper | |||
Broccoli | |||||
Parsnips | |||||
Wax Beans | |||||
Brocco Flower |