Green leafy vegetables are naturally low in fat and sugar and help to reduce stomach acid secretions. Spinach, broccoli, kale, asparagus and Brussels sprouts are highly alkaline which are good for the gut and offer respite from acid reflux.
Cool your heartburn with low-acid and fiber-rich foods such as whole grains and vegetables. Oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice help absorb and neutralize stomach acid and reduce your chances of experiencing that dreaded burn. Add banana to your oatmeal for the ultimate low-acid meal.
Green vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, peas, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts are known to prevent and alleviate acid reflux. In addition to being very low in fat, these vegetables are also high in alkaline content. The low pH offsets the high pH of the stomach acid.
While avocados are a very good-for-you food, thanks to its healthy fats6, if your diet is already packed with fat, eating high-fat avocados could bring about acid reflux (healthy nut butters may be a culprit here, too). Since guac is always extra, save a little money the next time you're out and avoid it!
Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet
Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets. Lean chicken and meat: Order or cook it grilled instead of fried. Plain breads and cereals: Skip overly processed carbs with high-fat ingredients like muffins and croissants.
Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.
Refined olive oil has a high acidity level, while extra virgin olive oil has an acidity level of less than 1.5 percent, making it the best choice in olive oils for those with heartburn and acid reflux. Like any other trigger, olive oil is not going to affect all heartburn sufferers in the same way.
Yogurt that is not too sour is also excellent for acid reflux, because of the probiotics that help normalize bowel function. Yogurt also provides protein, and soothes stomach discomfort, often providing a cooling sensation. It is easy to choose foods by looking them up to see how acidic they are.
Low in fat, egg whites are easier to digest, so they may be less likely to trigger your GERD. However, egg yolks are high in fat, so may increase your chances of getting acid reflux. If you want to include eggs in your diet, you could consider removing the yolks first.
Melons: potentially safe to eat if you have acid reflux
Watermelons and cantaloupes are high in vitamins and super low in calories. They're also high on the pH scale, meaning that they're relatively low in acid.
Whole grain foods like oatmeal, bread, and brown rice are healthy, hearty ways to combat occasional heartburn. These complex carbohydrates not only help absorb acid in the stomach, but they're also full of vitamins and minerals.
Honey is a well-known antioxidant and helps protect cells from free radicals. These free radicals may cause acid reflux because they can harm the lining in your esophagus, resulting in inflammation. Thus, adding some honey to warm water may reduce inflammation and soothe the burning sensation.
Banana is considered to be an alkaline food because of its high potassium content. A ripe banana can combat stomach acid and coat stomach lining to help prevent heartburn and other reflux symptoms. However, for some people, bananas can be a trigger, particularly if the banana is not yet ripe.
The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux. But nonfat milk can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms."
Ways to increase stomach acid include taking hydrochloric acid supplements, eating more zinc-rich foods, and consuming ginger. Stomach, or gastric, acid is a digestive fluid containing hydrochloric acid (HCL) and digestive enzymes. Stomach acid breaks down food and kills harmful bacteria.
Water is a good choice because it will help to dilute stomach acids. Try to drink eight glasses of water each day. Herbal teas like chamomile, lavender or ginger tea can help soothe the digestive system.
Lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruit are all foods that can make your GERD symptoms worse because of their citric acid content. Pineapple is another fruit high in citric acid you might want to avoid in order to manage your symptoms.
Effects of Kiwi on Acid Reflux
While kiwis are considered to be acidic, they are actually alkaline-forming when consumed due to their high levels of minerals such as potassium and magnesium. In fact, some studies have shown that consuming kiwis may help reduce symptoms of acid reflux by neutralizing stomach acid.
Foods That Help Reduce Acid Reflux
Root vegetables, like carrots and beets. Green vegetables, including broccoli, cucumbers or green beans. High-fiber foods, such as oatmeal and brown rice. Alkaline foods – which have a higher pH and are the opposite of acidic foods – including melons, cauliflower and bananas.
Avoid Fatty Foods and Simple Carbohydrates
Some research has found that people with acid reflux feel worse when they eat a high-fat diet4,5. Opt for lean meats, poultry, fish, or other protein sources and choose dishes that aren't fried, greasy, buttery, or heavy in creamy sauces.