BBQ Without the Burn: 5 Foods to Avoid Acid Reflux

Summer is winding down and barbecues are a wonderful way to get friends and family together, but the meals are often filled with common acid reflux triggers that can ruin anyone’s fun. If your chest is burning after having a burger or you’re reaching for another antacid after enjoying a tangy artichoke dip, then you may be experiencing symptoms of acid reflux.  

Acid reflux, also referred to as heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition marked by the migration of stomach acid into the esophagus, which affects one in five Americans.

“When food enters the esophagus, digestive muscles push it down through the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve-like opening that connects the esophagus and the stomach,” says Richard Wille, M.D., co-director, Center for Reflux and Esophageal Cancer Prevention, Beaumont Hospital, Troy. “For most people, the lower esophageal sphincter remains closed after the food passes through it. In those with reflux, stomach acid splashes into the esophagus during digestion, which causes the burning sensation in the chest or a feeling of a lump in the throat. ”

Some people are able to control acid reflux by simply making lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight or avoiding food triggers. "Uncontrolled acid reflux is one of the leading causes of esophageal cancer in North America. It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week," says Dr. Wille.

To avoid having acid reflux at your next summer cookout, to try avoiding these  common foods and beverages:

1. Tomatoes
2. Raw onions and garlic
3. Fatty red meat
4. Potato chips and other fried foods
5. Carbonated beverages