The following table can help you choose foods that will reduce stomach reflux. Your individual tolerances may differ.
Milk and milk products
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Fat-free, low-fat, and reduced-fat milk, low-fat buttermilk, low-fat or fat-free yogurt, soy milk, low-fat cottage cheese
- Possible trigger foods: Whole milk, chocolate milk, chocolate shakes or drinks, milkshakes, whole milk fat yogurt, whole milk fat (4%) cottage cheese, full-fat cheese
Breads and cereals
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Plain (with or without whole grain flour) bread, cereals, rolls, and crackers, pancakes, waffles, muffins made with low-fat ingredients, bagels, corn tortillas
- Possible trigger foods: Breads and cereals prepared with high-fat ingredients such as croissants, biscuits, doughnuts, sweet rolls, muffins, granola, pizza, French toast
Desserts
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Angel food cake, sponge cake, low-fat cookies, gelatin, fruit-based desserts, sherbet, fruit ice, reduced-fat ice cream, pudding or custard made with 1% or 2% low-fat milk, fat-free pudding
- Possible trigger foods: All other pies, cookies, and cakes, ice cream, any desserts containing chocolate frosting, whole milk pudding, pastries
Fats
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Non-fat or fat-free dressing, mayo, powdered or liquid creamer, sour cream and cream cheese as desired. Low-fat or reduced- fat products, including lite butter and margarine (Limit to less than 8 tsp per day.)
- Possible trigger foods: Gravies, heavy cream, bacon, meat drippings, butter, margarine, vegetable oils, regular sour cream, cream cheeses, olives, avocados/guacamole, nut butters, vegetable oils (Limit to less than 4 tsp per day.)
Fruits
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Fresh, frozen, and canned fruits as tolerated, juices (any except those listed as trigger foods)
- Possible trigger foods: Orange, lemon, lime, tangerine, pineapple, grapefruit
Meats and meat substitutes
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Well-cooked lean meat, poultry (without skin), fish (fresh or water-packed), lean pork, shellfish, low-fat luncheon meats and cheeses, low-fat hot dogs, tofu, dried beans and peas (includes fat-free refried beans), eggs
- Possible trigger foods: Fried versions of meat, poultry, fish, or eggs; regular luncheon meats, hot dogs, sausages, refried beans, nuts
Potatoes and potato substitutes
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Baked, boiled, and mashed potatoes without added fat, plain pasta, pasta with low-fat cream sauce, rice
- Possible trigger foods: French-fried potatoes, risotto, potato chips, pastas served with cream sauces and tomato-based sauces
Soups
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Fat-free broths, homemade soups made with lean meat and vegetables (except tomatoes) and fat-free or low-fat milk
- Possible trigger foods: Regular cream- and tomato-based soups
Sweets
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Sugar, honey, jam, jelly, molasses, maple syrup, hard candy, marshmallows
- Possible trigger foods: Coconut, cream-filled candies, nuts, chocolate, spearmint, peppermint
Vegetables
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Plain fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables prepared without added fat
- Possible trigger foods: Fried or creamed vegetables, tomatoes and tomato products, onions, vegetable juices
Miscellaneous
- Foods that are generally considered safe: Salt, oregano, sage, pepper, other spices and herbs (as tolerated), decaffeinated coffee, decaffeinated tea, non-mint tea
- Possible trigger foods: Spices and herbs in tomato-based sauces, chili and jalapeno peppers, vinegar, carbonated beverages, caffeinated or mint-flavored coffee and/or teas, alcoholic beverages
