Stomach acid reflux is a common problem. Your doctor has recommended that you avoid foods and drinks that are known to make stomach acid reflux worse. These include fatty foods, alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated drinks (such as coffee, tea, and soda), peppermint, spearmint, and spices. If you are overweight, dieting may also help.
It's alright to drink cranberry juice, apple juice diluted with water, and herbal teas (except peppermint and spearmint). Drink lots of water.
Coffee substitutes: Postum; Coffree (a Swiss blend of chicory, figs, wheat, malted barley and acorns).
Foods & drinks to avoid
- Fatty foods
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Coffee, tea, caffeinated soft drinks (decaffeinated coffee still has some caffeine)
- Peppermint & spearmint
- Spices & vinegar
- Citrus fruits & juices
- Tomatoes & tomato sauces
Other anti-reflux measures
- Don't eat or drink for 2 hours before going to bed
- Avoid lying down after meals
- Elevate the head of your bed 6 inches (use a bed wedge from any surgical supply store)
- Don't wear tight clothing around your abdomen
- Avoid straining, weight lifting, prolonged bending, and constipation
- Lose weight (if you are overweight)
- Stop smoking — nicotine stimulates stomach acid and impairs lower esophageal sphincter function
Since the likelihood of reflux is increased after a meal, it is important to avoid eating or drinking for 2 hours before going to bed, except for taking any medicine prescribed by your doctor. Remember to avoid lying down after any meal.
Reflux-acceptable foods (if cooked with mild herbs)
| Food group | Acceptable |
|---|---|
| Meats | All loin, flank, ribeye and sirloin steak; rib and rump roast; liver; veal; chicken; capons and Cornish hens; turkey; pork loin chops; pheasant; quail; venison |
| Fish & shellfish | Sole, halibut, monkfish, tuna, bass, smoked fish, salmon, flounder, haddock, lobster, mackerel, perch, pike, shad, scallops, shrimp, trout |
| Potatoes | All red, white, sweet, and yams (no canned potatoes) |
| Rice | All white, brown, and gourmet varieties |
| Soups | All non-tomato soups, with discretion (cream soups may cause excess mucus and/or reflux upset) |
| Pasta | Pesto or garlic-and-oil sauce; white clam sauce only |
| Vegetables & starches | Beets, eggplant (grilled or sautéed only), beans, lima beans, green beans, wax beans, spinach, artichokes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, broccoflower, parsnips, carrots, buttercup squash, acorn squash, butternut squash, delicata squash, zucchini (both yellow and green), gourmet squashes, sun-dried pears |
| Sweet fruits | Bananas, dates, figs, raisins (Thompson and Muscat), prunes, persimmons, melons, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries |
| Herbs & seasonings | Basil, bay leaves, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme, garlic, soy sauce, white pepper |
Questions about your prep?
If anything in these instructions is unclear, or your medications aren't covered here, contact our office before you start your prep.