Choosing the wrong foods can make life miserable for anyone struggling with acid reflux.
Here’s a quick guide to some foods you should cross off your menu if you want to avoid heartburn, bloating, and that burning sensation in your throat.
Fried foods
Deep-fried foods take longer for your stomach to digest, which means your body has to produce more acid.
Plus, the high fat content can relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), letting stomach acid leak up into your esophagus.
Also read: Do This Before Your Coffee and Feel Better Every Single Day
Citrus fruits
While oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes are healthy and packed with vitamin C, their high acid content can trigger excess acid production in your stomach.
For people with GERD, they can easily set off reflux symptoms.
Chocolate
Chocolate may feel like a comfort food, but it contains substances that relax the LES muscle.
That means stomach contents can more easily flow back up, causing that painful burning sensation in your chest and throat.
Also read: Eat Your Way to Healthy Arteries: Foods that Keep Your Blood Flowing
Fizzy soft drinks
Carbonated drinks like soda expand your stomach, creating pressure that pushes stomach acid up into the esophagus.
Opt for still water instead of sparkling if you’re sensitive to reflux.
Coffee
Coffee contains caffeine, which can overstimulate your stomach’s acid production — especially if you drink too much.
It’s not just coffee; strong black tea can have the same effect.
Also read: What Dermatologists Wish You Knew About Your Skin Routine
Alcohol
Alcohol can increase gas in your stomach, making you feel bloated and more likely to experience heartburn and acid reflux.
Cutting back on wine, beer, or spirits can really help control symptoms.
Spicy foods
Many people love spicy food, but for GERD sufferers, it’s often the number one reflux trigger.
Ultra-processed snacks
Highly processed snacks often come loaded with fats, salts, and additives — all of which can contribute to reflux.
Also read: 7 Hidden Clues that Could Mean You Have a Brain Tumor
A diet rich in these snacks increases the risk of GERD symptoms.
Tomatoes and tomato-based products
Tomatoes are naturally acidic and stimulate your stomach to make more acid. This includes fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce, ketchup, canned tomatoes, and pasta sauce.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is often used to calm the stomach, but for acid reflux it can backfire by relaxing the LES too much.
Instead, choose chamomile or ginger tea to soothe your stomach after meals.
Also read: New research suggests your grandmother’s chicken soup might actually help fight off a cold
A glass of acidic juice
Citrus or tomato juices have the same acidic effect as their whole fruit versions.
For sensitive stomachs, just one glass of orange juice or tomato juice can be enough to trigger reflux.
Fatty cuts of meat
High-fat meats like ribs, marbled steak, or chicken with the skin on take a long time to digest.
Your stomach has to work harder and produce more acid, increasing the risk of reflux.
A tempting slice of pizza
Pizza is a triple threat: acidic tomato sauce, fatty meat toppings, and salty crust.
Together, they make reflux worse. Make a gentler version at home with less fat, no tomato sauce, and a lighter crust.
This article is based on information from CNBC Indonesia.