Acid Reflux

There is no special diet for people with acid reflux or similar conditions such as hiatus hernia or heartburn.

The majority of symptoms from these conditions are caused by acid from the stomach getting into the oesophagus (gullet).

Tablets and other treatments for acid reflux are very effective and mean that it is not necessary to follow a strict or special diet. It is possible, however, that some lifestyle changes shown below may help reflux sufferers.

Weight

If you are overweight this can make reflux symptoms worse. Following a healthy eating diet and losing weight might help.

Smoking

Stopping smoking can lead to an improvement in reflux symptoms.

Other Tips

• Avoid sleeping flat. Sleep propped up with 2 or 3 pillows.
• Avoid tight fitting clothing.
• Eat little and often. Avoid large meals and try not to eat too late at night.

Food

There is little evidence that any foods make the symptoms of reflux worse. "Acidic" or citrus foods are often thought to aggravate reflux, but the symptoms are caused by acid in the stomach which is much stronger than any acid in food.

Some people have found through trial and error that avoiding certain foods such as coffee, alcohol, chocolate and spicy foods has improved their symptoms.

Below is the "Balance of Good Health". This is a guide to healthy eating showing the different food groups and the proportion of your diet they should make up.

The Balance of Good Health

Avoiding only one or two foods will not effect the overall quality of your diet. Check that you are not avoiding whole groups of foods.

Ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian if:

• You would like to lose weight
• You are having to avoid a number of different foods
• You think you are not eating enough