Many of us suffer from symptoms of acid reflux and have tried over the counter antacids and medications with little or no relief. Doctors are just going to give us prescriptions for expensive medications, which might work but they are costly and some people just can’t afford them, so they continue to suffer. The good news is that relief could be as close as making some simple changes to your diet. There are foods that cause acid reflux, and if you are eating these foods on a regular basis, then avoiding them may be all that’s needed to take care of your acid reflux.

The following is a list of common foods that cause acid reflux symptoms in many people. Take a look at this list and see if there are foods on it that you eat on a regular basis and try some alternatives to see if these help reduce your acid reflux symptoms.

High Fat Foods

Dairy foods that are high in fat such as whole milks, cottage cheeses, and many other high fat cheeses can be an almost instant trigger for acid reflux. Try using non fat milk and low fat cottage cheese. Some processed cheese foods are low in fat and taste almost as good as their real cheese counterparts. Check the labels.

High fat meats like marbled steaks and other cuts of beef, ground beef, dark chicken and turkey meat and their skins can all be foods that cause acid reflux in you. Alternatively, you can find cuts of beef that are less marbled and closely trimmed, ground sirloin is typically lower in fat, and boneless, skinless chicken and turkey breasts are a wonderful and healthy alternative.

Fried foods, especially those found at any fast food restaurant, are also foods that cause acid reflux in most people. Try finding foods that are fried in lower fat oils like peanut oil. They still may cause some discomfort, but it is possible that they won’t cause as much discomfort as the others.

Fruits and Veggies

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits and their juices can irritate the esophagus and cause symptoms of acid reflux. Try fruits like apples and apple juice, which have been known to actually relieve heartburn.

Onions have been known to cause acid reflux, especially when eaten raw. If you love the taste of onion but they cause you pain, try using onion powder as an alternative.

Tomatoes are full of acid and should be avoided. This also includes products made from tomatoes like sauces, salsa, and condiments. There really is no alternative for tomatoes, but some other condiments and vegetables could replace them and still be satisfying.

Beverages

Coffee, both caffeinated and decaffeinated, can trigger acid reflux in many people and should be avoided. Try a cold glass of apple cider and 20 minutes on the treadmill for a morning pick-me-up.

Sodas and other carbonated drinks can cause symptoms of acid reflux. Water is the best alternative to soda, especially on hot summer days.

Alcohol, especially beer, can be damaging to the esophagus and cause acid reflux. This is where a lifestyle change may be necessary. When you go out volunteer to be the designated driver and have fun watching everybody else act like drunken idiots. You’re likely to win at darts more often this way, too.

There are other foods that cause acid reflux symptoms, too. The best way to figure out what is causing your acid reflux is to keep a journal and then avoid the foods that you find are your triggers. If this doesn’t help, then a trip to the doctor to discuss your acid reflux is recommended.