If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic heartburn, otherwise known as Acid Reflux Disease, then you know what it feels like to suffer with (what seems like) every bite of food that you consume. The fact is if you are suffering from heartburn then you may need to formulate a special diet which can help in alleviating some of the symptoms that make having acid reflux so unbearable.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods you should stay away from altogether in order to make heartburn as close to a non-issue as possible. Foods that are recommended against would include things like hot wings, orange and grape fruit juices and many dairy products along with a litany of other acidic foods that should be avoided. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to limit your acid, grease and fat intake in order to avoid a flare up of acid reflux. There are also some fruits that you may want to avoid, however, not all of your favorite foods are off limits if you are going to be on a heartburn diet.

Foods to Eat in Moderation

There are some foods which may cause you to suffer from symptoms of heartburn; however, some of those foods are not completely off limits. Items like orange juice are acidic, however not nearly as acidic as something with lime or lemon in it and may be easier on your stomach than other citrus products. You may also want to monitor the kinds of dairy products that you consume as lactose can play a serious role in inducing acid reflux flair up. Eating certain types of fruits in moderation is also very important. Berries in general are a good thing to try and stay away from as well as peaches and grapes.

Foods Safe to Eat on Heartburn Diet

As you begin to research what kind of foods you can and cannot eat while you are on a heartburn diet you may start to think that such a diet is very restrictive and not at all palatable for the average person. However, it is important to remember that most of your favorite products that you buy from the grocery store come in fat free and low fat versions. This is important because as stated earlier, it is mostly overly fatty, greasy or acidic foods that cause heartburn to occur. In other words, instead of buying regular sour cream, try the low fat. It tastes just as good and won’t cause your throat and chest to feel as though they are on fire.

Keeping the Pain to a Minimum

Having heartburn can be a very unpleasant and even painful ordeal if you do not go about treating the condition the right way. Most people think that having chronic heartburn pain is a curse that they are never going to be able to get rid of, however if you know what you are putting into your body and are conscious of the effects that each item is having on you, then your chances of reducing an acid reflux flare up can be greatly reduced.

As a general rule of thumb, a heartburn diet is basically a generalized low fat, low spice diet that can be easily integrated into any lifestyle and can be just as tasty as a regular full fat diet. It is up to you to decide if you want to change your diet since no one else is going to do it for you. You are the one suffering so it is up to you to do something about it. Try a basic heartburn diet along with any medications your doctor recommends and you will feel so much better for it.