A  survey performed by the National Heartburn Alliance found that 92% of regular heartburn sufferers indicate food as one of the primary factors of their heartburn causes. So, if an adjustment in diet can help you avoid heartburn, which foods should you avoid?

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Foods to Avoid with Reflux

Fruits
Any citric fruit including: Lemon, Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice, Tomatoes or Tomato Juice

Vegetables
Mashed Potatoes, French Fries, Garlic, Onions, Red or Black Pepper, Cauliflower, Brussels sprouts

Meats
Cold cuts, Sausage, Bacon, Fatty meat, Chicken fat and skin, Ground Beef, Chicken Nuggets, Marbled Sirloin, Buffalo wings.

Dairy
Full fat dairy, Sour Cream, Milk Shake

Grains
Macaroni and Cheese, Spaghetti with Sauce

Beverages
Alcohol, Coffee (any caffeinated drink), Fizzy or carbonated soft drinks, Citric fruit juices

Fats & Oils
All fried food, Creamy Salad Dressing, Oil & Vinegar Salad Dressing

Herbs
Spearmint and peppermint

Sweets
High-fat Butter Cookies, Brownies, Doughnuts, Chocolate, Potato Chips

Foods and beverages like these contribute to heartburn causes (and the more serious GERD) by reducing the effectiveness of the LES to keep stomach contents in the stomach.

Smoking also plays a major role, and carbonated beverages should be avoided as they can put pressure on the stomach, which drives stomach acid back up into the esophagus.

Higher-fat meals often remain in the stomach for longer before travelling into the small intestine, so the LES and esophagus are potentially exposed to stomach contents and acid for a longer period.

Eating Out
A lot of us may eat out many times a week and restaurants certainly present a few challenges for those with acid heartburn. But, once you know what your personal heartburn causes are then eating out can be easier and more enjoyable. This leaves just two restaurant challenges:

High-fat foods. Pick low-fat options when you eat out and you’ll avoid one of the main heartburn causes – fatty foods.

Huge portions. Eating too much can increase stomach pressure, forcing acidic stomach contents to splash back into the esophagus. When you eat out, avoid big portions and take your time with the meal.

So what can you eat? See Heartburn Good Foods.

Foods to Avoid with Reflux posted by reflux