While the diet for heartburn is similar to other heart-healthy diets, it also places an emphasis on avoiding the foods that are known to aggravate your heartburn symptoms. Foods to avoid on this diet include chocolate, peppermint, and fried or fatty foods. Other features of the diet include losing weight and changing when and how much you eat.
An Overview of the Heartburn DietLifestyle and dietary changes are usually the first line of treatment for heartburn. As part of your heartburn treatment, your doctor may recommend a special diet, which some people call a heartburn diet. This diet is no different than any other heart-healthy diet, except for the following features:
- Knowing which foods make heartburn symptoms worse
- Avoiding the foods that worsen your heartburn symptoms
- Changing when and how much you eat
- Losing weight (if you are overweight).
Healthy Diet Choices for HeartburnAs part of a heartburn diet, people should choose a wide variety of low-calorie, nutritious foods in moderate amounts. This should include lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free milk, as well as fish, lean meat, poultry, or dry beans. Also, choose foods that are low in fat and added sugars.
A healthy diet includes the following:
- 8 to 10 percent of the day's total calories coming from saturated fat
- 30 percent or less of the day's total calories coming from fat
- Consuming less than 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol a day
- Limiting sodium intake to 2,400 milligrams a day
- Choosing sensible food portions
- Consuming just enough calories to achieve or maintain a healthy weight and reduce your blood cholesterol level. (Ask your doctor or registered dietitian to recommend a reasonable calorie level for you.)