Bloating, a taste of acid in the mouth, and a burning sensation in the chest area are all symptoms of acid reflux. While some people experience mild versions of the condition, the symptoms are a trigger for more serious conditions like GERD in others. While food cannot cure the condition, eating the right foods can help prevent flare-ups and keep them to a minimum. Here are the foods to eat and avoid for people with acid reflux.

Beneficial foods

• Vegetables: This is a no-brainer, as vegetables are low in sugars and fats and aid in reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. Cucumbers, potatoes, green leafy vegetables, beans, and broccoli are great options to add to the daily diet to prevent reflux.
• Ginger: Ginger ranks high among the beneficial foods to eat for people experiencing acid reflux episodes. The anti-inflammatory properties of this root make it perfect for treating heartburn, and it can be added to a cup of tea to help with the symptoms.
• Egg whites: While egg yolks are known to trigger acid reflux, egg whites are healthy and a nutritious option for treating it. However, some people may be allergic to eggs, so they should be avoided in such cases.
• Non-citrus foods: It’s best to stay away from citrus fruits as they have high acidic content. Instead, one can choose fruits like melons, bananas, apples, and pears that are known to help neutralize the stomach acids. Among the most helpful foods to eat for people acid reflux, non-citrusy fruits help soothe the symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Harmful foods

• Chocolate: It may sound like a simple and harmless treat, but the combination of fat, cocoa, and caffeine is not the best for people who experience acid reflux. This is certainly on the list of the latter among the foods to eat and avoid for managing acid reflux.
• Coffee and tea: Again, the caffeine content is the cause of the trouble. Coffee and tea contain enough amounts of caffeine to trigger or worsen the symptoms of acid reflux, so it’s best to opt for non-caffeinated tea or coffee.
• Alcohol: Alcohol messes with the gut in several ways. It relaxes the sphincter valve muscles and stimulates the production of stomach acids, which is the opposite of what one wants when dealing with acid reflux.
• Fried foods: Frying adversely affects food in terms of its nutritional value and releases harmful chemicals. Also, it makes the digestive system work harder to process it, so people with acid reflux should bake or steam their foods instead of frying it.
• Late-night snacks: Meals must be light so that the stomach can process the food quickly. Having four to five small meals throughout the day instead of three large meals helps relieve acid reflux, and one should avoid late-night snacks.

These are simple but smart and effective tips for which foods to eat and which ones to avoid for managing acid reflux.