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Eating right

Eating right to help manage your
acid reflux

If you have acid reflux disease, you may know it’s very important to watch what you eat. In this section, you’ll find tips on which foods to avoid, portion control, how to dine out, and more.

Steer clear of trigger foods

You may be surprised at some of the foods and drinks that can trigger acid reflux disease symptoms. Here's a list of what you should avoid or limit:

Alcoholic beverages

Carbonated drinks

Chocolate

Citrus fruits

Coffee and tea

Fatty or fried foods

Garlic and onions

Peppermint and spearmint

Tomatoes or tomato sauces

Tips for dining out

When you eat at restaurants, there are temptations on the menu that can bring on your symptoms. While you’re dining out, keep these suggestions in mind:

 Pick restaurants that offer variety on their menus

If you're not sure what's in a dish, ask your server

Watch “weighty” words like supersize, jumbo, or deep-fried

Split dishes with friends or put extra food in a doggie bag to take home

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

Eat slowly so you’re more likely to feel full

Ask for sauces on the side

“All-you-can-eat” may be too much, so try to avoid buffets

Tips for cooking at home

Replace your trigger ingredients with substitutes that may be less likely to cause heartburn or that bad taste in your throat. Use our Trigger Replacements chart as a guide:

Keep track of your acid reflux triggers

A great way to manage your acid reflux symptoms is to write down what and how much you eat—and how you feel afterwards. Use our Trigger Tracker and share it with your doctor to identify the triggers you should avoid or limit.

Simply download and print out to track your triggers:

The information in this section is not a substitute for medical advice. Only your doctor can determine if you have acid reflux disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Next: Healthy recipes