Acid Reflux Foods To Avoid!

 There are at least 60 million Americans who suffer from acid reflux. And majority of them get heartburn at least once a month.

Aside from the usual symptoms, most of those with acid reflux have to suffer from nighttime symptoms, waking up in the night grabbing their chest in pain. A pain so intense most people mistake it for heart attack.

Some people with heartburn consider the pain they experience once a month to be an inconvenience they will have to live with. But for some, heartburn has proven to be more than just a nuisance that they can easily brush off.


Acid reflux symptoms may get in the way of almost everything you do, even preventing you from functioning well during daytime and having a well deserved rest at night.

Eating with Heartburn
People with heartburn will live the rest of their days with heartburn — unless they get into the habit of permanently washing it off their system. Most people do this with their antacids. While this measure does work, you know that in the long run, you need something that can totally set you free from heartburn pains.

According to the recent survey conducted by the National Heartburn Alliance (NHBA), 92 percent of heartburn sufferers lists food as the primary agent causing their digestive woes. What does this data reveal? First, that a change in your diet can help you avoid heartburn and, second, that you can actually do something that can permanently wash your acid reflux away.

Though what triggers your heartburn differs from the guy buying the very same antacid brand you have just purchased, there are known drinks and foods that encourage stomach acids to splash up into your esophagus. Here is our quick list:

Vegetable, fruit, and juice. It may look and even taste healthy, but some fruits and vegetables are known to do more harm than good to heartburn sufferers. Orange juice, grapefruit, cranberry juice, raw onion, tomato, and mashed potatoes are just some.

Pasta. When you think of fiber and energy, you may want to not include mac and cheese and spaghetti with marinara sauce in it.




Meats. Have a heartburn-friendly list when shopping for animal-based protein. This should not include ground beef, buffalo/chicken wings, chicken nugget cut, and marbled sirloin.

Sweets. Who says you can’t have dessert? But heartburn sufferers should strive to order anything but high-fat butter cookies, chocolate-based sweets, doughnuts, and brownies.

Oils and fats. And yes you can have your share of fried foods too. But make sure that you watch your portions and, of course, what goes in the pan. When you fry, go light, choose healthy fats.

Though salads look and sound healthy and safe, most of them are not, particularly for heartburn sufferers. Aside from the usual salad ingredients like tomato and citrus, you may want to check for salad dressings that are usually known for its high fat content.

A good rule of thumb: Oily and creamy salad dressings are essentially heartburn ready to happen!

Nighttime Heartburn Relief!

Nighttime heartburn not only disrupts your sleep but also negatively affects daytime productivity, impairing your ability to function, focus, and concentrate. Eight out of ten heartburn sufferers experience heartburn symptoms at night. Others get the worst part: heartburn during sleep.

Heartburn during daytime is one thing. But waking up with heartburn is another. Find nighttime heartburn relief with these tips:

Eat right. Plan your dinner – and the rest of your menu – around a light, low-acid diet. Have better and healthier options than acidic, spicy, and non-fatty foods. The DON’Ts of heartburn-safe menu are:

•    High-fat foods. Fatty and greasy foods stay longer in the stomach, which essentially cause more discomfort for many heartburn sufferers.
•    Acidic foods. Which include a seemingly healthy dish of tomatoes and anything tomato-based. Other heartburn no-nos are citrus fruits, such as lemons, grapefruits, and oranges.
•    Drinks that trigger heartburn. And these include some of our all-time fave: carbonated drinks, alcoholic beverages, and caffeinated drinks.
•    Chocolate. This temptation contains caffeine, which relaxes the LES making heartburn more likely. Eating more than the recommended serving is definitely a no-no.
•    Spicy foods. Anything peppery and showered with hot sauce provokes heartburn. Other items you need to include in your watch list are peppermint, onions, and garlic.

For dinner, try to limit your plate and palate with healthy alternatives, such as those that are prepared healthier (baked, broiled, or grilled), lean cuts of meat, and herbal teas or just plain water.

Savor foods. Managing heartburn is not only about eating the right foods but also eating it right. The best way to keep heartburn at bay? Take time to really taste your food. Don’t eat too quickly; multi-tasking while having dinner is definitely a no-no for heartburn nighttime sufferers. Don’t tackle your plate like some last-minute project.

To prevent nighttime heartburn, remember to:

•    Schedule your meal
•    Eat at least two hours before bedtime
•    Avoid nightcap
•    Eat more smaller meals than three large ones
•    Watch food portions
•    Avoid midnight or even bedtime snacks

Dress properly. Donning on tight clothes can trigger heartburn. Steer clear of anything with tight waistbands and belts. This probably should not be a problem if you’re heading to bed. But make sure that you wear only heartburn-safe clothes during daytime.

Relax more often. Stress essentially fuels stomach acid production, encouraging heartburn symptoms. Meditating or doing yoga poses is a better, healthier way to end the day than succumbing to stress eating after a long day at work.

Keep a food journal. By keeping track of your eating habits and activities, you can easily and accurately determine what triggers your heartburn and what doesn’t.

Exercise safely. Two things heartburn sufferers need to remember when exercising:  First, don’t workout immediately after a meal and, second, drink plenty of water.

Sleep correctly. Research shows that sleeping on the left actually aids digestion by encouraging the removal of stomach acids. Lying on the right side, on the other hand, has been shown to aggravate heartburn.

If you lay flat on your back, make sure that you sleep with your shoulders and head elevated. You can do this by either using a wedge pillow or placing sturdy blocks under the bedpost to raise your head.

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Tips When Travelling With Acid Reflux And Heartburn

One of which is traveling. Aside from the not-so fun business travels, the spring gives many we-are-here-to-enjoy travelers and road warriors to see, feel, and have fun on the road. But one out of every four American travelers knows that traveling is not fun at all — especially when his heartburn symptoms get in the way. Traveling with heartburn is not easy: An excess baggage you will regret bringing.

Acid reflux can set in without warning, that is, if you do not heed to your doctor’s advice. And heartburn symptoms can ruin everything — from your sleep to your itinerary. People on vacay often forget about their efforts to permanently put a lid on heartburn when they are faced with exotic foods and booze, notes Dr. David Carr-Locke of Women’s Hospital in Boston. And you know that when you have booked a local tour somewhere exotic and truly wonderful, sticking to your safe heartburn diet is really no fun.

But this doesn’t mean that acid reflux symptoms should get in the way of fun. In spite of your don’t-eat-this-and-that perspective when it comes to dining, it is definitely great to hear that there are ways to manage heartburn without being boring.

The Key: Moderation

Know your time. And we are not only talking about keeping tabs of your schedule. When it comes to heartburn sufferers, nothing calls heartburn better than not having your meals on time. Eating, and specifically mindful eating, can significantly reduce your acid reflux episodes. Eat sensibly and be on time can guarantee a heartburn-free vacation. Though this may sound boring, especially if you have booked a guided tour (Imagine when you have to asked the bus driver to pull over just because you have to eat), but, remember, managing heartburn is not easy when you are on the road — especially when there is no drugstore on site.

Practice mindful eating. Sampling local dishes is a must. Savoring exotic dishes should be on everyone’s list — except yours. But you don’t have to worry about having to faking how fun it can be eating crackers and rice while everyone else is on the buffet table. When it comes to heartburn and acid reflux, there are no fast and hard rules that you have to follow. As long as you keep you portions, we are sure that you are safe even if you feel like hopping from table to another.

Drink what is good for you. Aside from keeping hydrated, you also need to practice about drinking well. If you are on your way to the Napa, it may really sound boring if you don’t sip some of the wonderful reds that are offered to all travelers. Again, the key is moderation. The truth is alcoholic drinks should be on top of your list when it comes to heartburn drinks triggers. A glass of wine is okay and healthy; but cocktails and booze shouldn’t tempt you in any way. Never indulge in beers, cocktails, and, yes, even wines. Cocktails that boast of having healthy base like citrus juices should not fill your cup either as it can trigger reflux faster than you can finish your second cup.

Have your meds always with you. Do not think that a drugstore somewhere in the middle of nowhere can save you because chances are they don’t carry your meds. Secure your meds in a convenient pack, something that you can easily fit in your purse. Place it in a bag that you always carry, not in one of your luggage bags you leave in your hotel room. Remember, the easier you can access your meds, the better for you and your tummy.

Also make sure that you bring what the doctor ordered and more. If your doctor asked you to bring six, at least bring eight. These extras can save you because you will never know what will surprise you on the road.