No one can deny how it can cause you to have GERD or heartburn. The resulting discomfort can prevent you from enjoying certain foods. WebMD says the time you eat and how much you eat can be a major factor in acid reflux.

Controlling your diet can help relieve heartburn and acid reflux. Here are 11 foods that you should avoid if you have GERD or heartburn.

 

1. Citrus fruits.

Mayo Clinic warns that citrus fruits are very acidic and add acid to your stomach. According to WebMD, if you already have problems, you should avoid taking it on an empty stomach.

 

2. Caffeine.

If you suffer from a stomach acid problem, Healthline suggests putting these on the list of items you should cut back on.

 

3. Chocolate.

Scientifically speaking, chocolate contains caffeine as well as being its own acid builder. It also relaxes the muscles at the bottom of the esophagus. Thus, when heartburn troubles you, pack all of your chocolate and give it to your gastroenterologist for preservation, according to a report by Dr. Shotcan from WebMDnd.

 

4. Tomatoes.

Tomatoes are another acidic food, so Mayo Clinic recommends limiting your intake of them.

 

5. Soft drinks.

If you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux, soft drinks are something to avoid, as mentioned in both WebMD and Healthline.

 

6. Spicy foods.

Peppers, Mexican food, hot peppers - anything spicy can secrete stomach acid, so WebMD says to reduce your intake of these foods.

 

7. Mint.

While peppermint tea is supposed to be good for an upset stomach, it may actually worsen an acid problem, especially after you overeat. As mentioned earlier, Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding it if you have acid reflux.

 

8. Alcohol.

According to Healthline, alcohol might relax muscles in the lower esophagus, so it is recommended that you avoid them together.

 

9. Fatty foods.

Healthline and WebMD recommend, again, avoiding cheese, nuts, fatty meats and any other foods high in fat. If you like to eat them, try to avoid eating large amounts at the end of the day and before bed.

 

10. Fried foods.

Medical history proves that fried foods are harmful to your arteries and heart. At this rate, anything fried reaches the "no-go" zone due to heartburn and acid reflux, according to Healthline.

 

11. Garlic and onions.

Although these may not affect all heartburn sufferers, they may be a problem for some. If so, WebMD recommends cutting it off your diet.

 

You can still enjoy life and food if you suffer from heartburn and acid reflux, just learn how to control your diet. Talk to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis, but if the solution is as simple as limiting certain foods, you can rejoice finding an easy solution !