What Is GERD?
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General Dining Guidelines
Foods to Avoid
These foods are often identified assetting off heartburn:
Better Choices
These foods are less likely to set off heartburn.
Type of Cuisine
Dining out at your favorite Chinese, Mexican, or Italian restaurant can mean you have less control over your meal options and it may be harder toprevent heartburn.
If you aren’t sure what is in a dish or how the dish is prepared, don’t be afraid to ask and request alterations or substitutions. Here are some suggestions for dining out at one of the following specific types of restaurants.
13 Home Remedies for Acid Reflux Relief
Chinese Restaurants
Asian cuisine can range from mild to very spicy and use preparation styles that are heartburn-friendly or not. It may be best to avoid buffets and instead order off the menu requesting the type of preparation and ingredients that you best tolerate. Use these rules of thumb.
Foods to AvoidBreaded and fried entreesCrispy deep-fried noodlesEgg rollsHot and sour soupOverly spicy dishesRibsSauces thickened with eggs and butterSweet and sour dishesBetter ChoicesBrown riceDishes made with vegetables in a light sauceEntrees such as beef with broccoli, velvet chicken, or shrimp with mushrooms and bamboo shootsSauces thickened with broth and cornstarchSteamed dumplingsStir-fried or steamed dishes with light wine or lobster saucesWonton soupFortune cookies for dessert
Foods to AvoidBreaded and fried entreesCrispy deep-fried noodlesEgg rollsHot and sour soupOverly spicy dishesRibsSauces thickened with eggs and butterSweet and sour dishes
Breaded and fried entrees
Crispy deep-fried noodles
Egg rolls
Hot and sour soup
Overly spicy dishes
Ribs
Sauces thickened with eggs and butter
Sweet and sour dishes
Better ChoicesBrown riceDishes made with vegetables in a light sauceEntrees such as beef with broccoli, velvet chicken, or shrimp with mushrooms and bamboo shootsSauces thickened with broth and cornstarchSteamed dumplingsStir-fried or steamed dishes with light wine or lobster saucesWonton soupFortune cookies for dessert
Brown rice
Dishes made with vegetables in a light sauce
Entrees such as beef with broccoli, velvet chicken, or shrimp with mushrooms and bamboo shoots
Sauces thickened with broth and cornstarch
Steamed dumplings
Stir-fried or steamed dishes with light wine or lobster sauces
Wonton soup
Fortune cookies for dessert
Avoiding Acid Reflux When Eating Chinese Food
Mexican Restaurants
A typical chain restaurant may have dishes that are heavy on cheese, acidic ingredients, and spices. The basket of fried tortilla chips and salsa is probably best avoided. But you should be able to find choices that are more heartburn-friendly and request mild spices.
Foods to AvoidCheese and sour cream toppingsChile peppersChimichangasChorizo (Mexican sausage)Deep fried tortilla chips and taco shellsMole (chocolate) sauceRefried beansSalsa, tomato, and onionsSangria and margaritas (citrus)Flan or other rich dessertsBetter ChoicesBroth-based soupsBurritosDishes prepared with herbs such as cumin and cilantroFajitasGrilled chicken or fishLow-fat refried beans and riceMild guacamole on a flour tortillaTortillas
Foods to AvoidCheese and sour cream toppingsChile peppersChimichangasChorizo (Mexican sausage)Deep fried tortilla chips and taco shellsMole (chocolate) sauceRefried beansSalsa, tomato, and onionsSangria and margaritas (citrus)Flan or other rich desserts
Cheese and sour cream toppings
Chile peppers
Chimichangas
Chorizo (Mexican sausage)
Deep fried tortilla chips and taco shells
Mole (chocolate) sauce
Refried beans
Salsa, tomato, and onions
Sangria and margaritas (citrus)
Flan or other rich desserts
Better ChoicesBroth-based soupsBurritosDishes prepared with herbs such as cumin and cilantroFajitasGrilled chicken or fishLow-fat refried beans and riceMild guacamole on a flour tortillaTortillas
Broth-based soups
Burritos
Dishes prepared with herbs such as cumin and cilantro
Fajitas
Grilled chicken or fish
Low-fat refried beans and rice
Mild guacamole on a flour tortilla
Tortillas
Italian Restaurants
Visions of tomato sauce and cheese might come to mind when you think of Italian cuisine. You will need to learn to ask about preparation and sauces that are less likely to trigger heartburn.
Foods to AvoidAntipastos with cheese, salami, and spicy peppersCarbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon)Foods prepared with lots of garlic and spicesHeavy tomato or cream saucesOil-based salad dressingsParmigiana (fried, smothered in tomato sauce and mozzarella)Pizza toppings such as double cheese, lots of sauce, sausage and pepperoni, hot peppersRich, heavy desserts, such as cheesecake or tiramisuBetter ChoicesDishes with little or no cheeseGrilled meat, poultry, or fish.Minestrone (vegetable) or pasta fagioli (macaroni and bean) soupsPasta “en brodo,” which is a light broth-type saucePasta primavera without saucePizza with little sauce and cheeseRisotto or polenta dishes made with vegetables, not butter and cheeseVeal or chicken in a light mushroom sauceVegetable side dishes without garlic or too much olive oilBiscotti (crunchy Italian cookies) for dessert
Foods to AvoidAntipastos with cheese, salami, and spicy peppersCarbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon)Foods prepared with lots of garlic and spicesHeavy tomato or cream saucesOil-based salad dressingsParmigiana (fried, smothered in tomato sauce and mozzarella)Pizza toppings such as double cheese, lots of sauce, sausage and pepperoni, hot peppersRich, heavy desserts, such as cheesecake or tiramisu
Antipastos with cheese, salami, and spicy peppers
Carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon)
Foods prepared with lots of garlic and spices
Heavy tomato or cream sauces
Oil-based salad dressings
Parmigiana (fried, smothered in tomato sauce and mozzarella)
Pizza toppings such as double cheese, lots of sauce, sausage and pepperoni, hot peppers
Rich, heavy desserts, such as cheesecake or tiramisu
Better ChoicesDishes with little or no cheeseGrilled meat, poultry, or fish.Minestrone (vegetable) or pasta fagioli (macaroni and bean) soupsPasta “en brodo,” which is a light broth-type saucePasta primavera without saucePizza with little sauce and cheeseRisotto or polenta dishes made with vegetables, not butter and cheeseVeal or chicken in a light mushroom sauceVegetable side dishes without garlic or too much olive oilBiscotti (crunchy Italian cookies) for dessert
Dishes with little or no cheese
Grilled meat, poultry, or fish.
Minestrone (vegetable) or pasta fagioli (macaroni and bean) soups
Pasta “en brodo,” which is a light broth-type sauce
Pasta primavera without sauce
Pizza with little sauce and cheese
Risotto or polenta dishes made with vegetables, not butter and cheese
Veal or chicken in a light mushroom sauce
Vegetable side dishes without garlic or too much olive oil
Biscotti (crunchy Italian cookies) for dessert
A Word From VerywellIn addition to avoiding certain foods, aim to eat half of the meal and take the rest home to eat the next day. Avoid eating at least 2-3 hours before lying down or going to bed.—ROBERT BURAKOFF, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
In addition to avoiding certain foods, aim to eat half of the meal and take the rest home to eat the next day. Avoid eating at least 2-3 hours before lying down or going to bed.—ROBERT BURAKOFF, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
In addition to avoiding certain foods, aim to eat half of the meal and take the rest home to eat the next day. Avoid eating at least 2-3 hours before lying down or going to bed.
—ROBERT BURAKOFF, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Heartburn
Frequently Asked Questions
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as chronic acid reflux, is a condition that causes acid contents in the stomach to travel upward into the esophagus. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t.
Some common causes for GERD include a malfunctioning LES, obesity, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking, impaired stomach function, and asthma, among others.Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Some common causes for GERD include a malfunctioning LES, obesity, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking, impaired stomach function, and asthma, among others.
Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Learn MoreSymptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
By itself or with little sauce and cheese, pasta shouldn’t trigger acid reflux. However, specific ingredients and toppings can lead to heartburn in people prone to it, such as heavy tomato or cream sauces, lots of garlic and spices, and carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon).
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.What to eat when you have chronic heartburn.Koufman, JA, Stern, J, Bauer, MB.Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure. New York, New York.Additional ReadingKubo A, Block G, Quesenberry CP, Buffler P, Corley DA.Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-230x-14-144National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, eiet, & nutrition for GER & GERD.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harvard Health Publishing.What to eat when you have chronic heartburn.Koufman, JA, Stern, J, Bauer, MB.Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure. New York, New York.Additional ReadingKubo A, Block G, Quesenberry CP, Buffler P, Corley DA.Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-230x-14-144National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, eiet, & nutrition for GER & GERD.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harvard Health Publishing.What to eat when you have chronic heartburn.Koufman, JA, Stern, J, Bauer, MB.Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure. New York, New York.
Harvard Health Publishing.What to eat when you have chronic heartburn.
Koufman, JA, Stern, J, Bauer, MB.Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure. New York, New York.
Kubo A, Block G, Quesenberry CP, Buffler P, Corley DA.Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-230x-14-144National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, eiet, & nutrition for GER & GERD.
Kubo A, Block G, Quesenberry CP, Buffler P, Corley DA.Dietary guideline adherence for gastroesophageal reflux disease.BMC Gastroenterology. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-230x-14-144
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, eiet, & nutrition for GER & GERD.
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