Acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can ruin your life. If you suffer from this disease, then you need to change your diet. Some foods are good for the stomach, but some can cause heartburn.

In seeking acid reflux relief, you must tailor your diet especially for your condition. Medical professionals cannot confirm if your diet has anything to do with the symptoms of this disease. However, many sufferers respond well when their eating habits change. All you need is a diet that not only provides essential nutrients but also controls stomach acid levels. Therefore, you must select the right foods that do not stimulate too much acid in the stomach. Your food choices should work for you even if they don’t work for someone else.

Heartburn free foods are usually alkaline. Your diet should incorporate a majority of alkaline-based foods. Suggested safe foods include

Vegetables: broccoli, carrots, cabbage, peas, green beans

Fruit: apple, banana

Meat: egg whites, extra-lean beef, skinless chicken breast

Dairy: fat-free cream cheese, low-fat soy cheese, fat-free sour cream

Grains: bran, oats, corn

Oils: low-fat salad dressing

You should stay away from foods that stimulate the production of stomach acid. These include all kinds of coffee, alcohol, citrus juices, garlic, onions, spicy foods, tomatoes, and alcohol. Avoid high-fat foods, as they tend to stay in the stomach longer because they need more acid for digestion.

An acid reflux diet is not enough. You also need to change the way you eat. Break up your regular meals into smaller, more frequent meals. This will reduce the load on your stomach since the smaller portion needs less acid for digestion. Do not overeat as this will increase the production of stomach acid. Always maintain an upright posture when eating. Maintain the same position for a minimum of 45 minutes after the meal.

Keeping a food diary is a good method of determining which food is responsible for your GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Record what you eat for two weeks. Write down any irritation. This information can help your doctor plan your diet.

The idea of ​​treating acid reflux disease with diet is to minimize excess production of stomach acid and avoid any foods that need more enzymes to speed up the digestive process. If you still experience heartburn for more than two days after a diet change, you may need medical attention.