Foods and Drinks to Avoid

• Depending on your personal chemistry, there may be various foods, drinks, or combinations of foods and drinks that cause your acid reflux.
  
  Foods and drinks to avoid include: Coffee, alcohol, foods with high fat content (fat content can be found on the product label) such as potato chips and dips, fatty red meats like pork, dairy products and foods strong in mint flavoring.
  
  

Acid Reflux Rules of Thumb

• Diets to reduce acid reflux are generally broken down into several small meals per day rather than a few larger meals; the last meal of the day to be taken at least three hours prior to going to bed. If you insist on drinking coffee, have your last cup around noon. If you have frequent acid reflux while you are sleeping, try propping your head up with an extra pillow to avoid acid reflux that may startle you awake.
  
  Substitute mustard for mayonnaise as a condiment. While mustard is actually more acidic, it is lower in fat than mayonnaise and may be easier to digest.
  
  Keep a diet log of the foods you eat and the times you eat them, noting the fat content of the foods as well as salt and calorie count. This will quickly help determine which particular foods cause you the most problems. In addition, a dietary log can keep you on track and honest about your diet.
  
  

Acid Reflux Prevention Recipe

• Follow this example for a day devoid of acid reflux. Treat each day similarly (mixing in combinations of good foods) and you will rid yourself of acid reflux.
  
  Breakfast
  1 banana
  2 eggs
  1 slice of whole wheat toast
  1 package of oatmeal
  1 cup skim milk or 1 cup orange juice
  
  Midday Snack
  1 banana or 1 apple
  
  Lunch
  ½ chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread with mustard, tomato and lettuce
  1 cup chicken noodle or beef barley soup
  1 cup skim milk
  
  Early Evening Snack
  1 banana or 1 cup of low-fat yogurt
  1 serving low-fat crackers with one or two pieces of low-fat cheese
  
  Dinner
  1 piece steamed or grilled salmon or chicken
  ½ cup of broccoli
  1 serving of mashed potatoes (instant and low salt)
  1 to 2 full glasses of water