Can You Eat Anything to Get Rid of Heartburn?

Heartburn can sometimes be difficult to get rid of. Sometimes consuming certain foods, such as yogurt or milk, can help reduce heartburn, but often avoiding certain foods can help decrease heartburn. Heartburn can also indicate a serious underlying problem so if you frequently experience heartburn, inform your doctor. Long-term heartburn may cause permanent damage to certain organs, such as your esophagus.

A family is sitting at the dinner table with glasses of milk. (Image: View Stock/View Stock/Getty Images)

Foods That Help Relieve Heartburn

Certain dairy products, such as yogurt and warm milk, can help heartburn, according to the American Pregnancy Association. The APA recommends adding 1 tbsp. of honey to a warm glass of milk to help relieve heartburn. Alternatively, try eating a cup of yogurt when you begin to experience heartburn symptoms.

Foods That Worsen Heartburn

Acidic, fatty and foods that contain carbonation or caffeine can aggravate heartburn, according to Drugs.com. Fatty and spicy foods such as chili, Buffalo wings and deep-fried foods can aggravate heartburn. Coffee, tea and soda contain either caffeine, carbonation or a combination of both, which cause and worsen heartburn. Tomato-based foods such as red pasta sauce, pizza sauce or marinara sauce can cause heartburn conditions to become worse. Peppermints and mint-flavored foods can also aggravate heartburn. Acidic or citrus foods, such as grapefruit, onions and orange juice can worsen heartburn symptoms.

Foods To Help Avoid Heartburn

Including certain foods in your diet can help stave off heartburn, according to MedlinePlus. Foods such as whole grains, vegetables, lean meats and certain vegetables can help reduce the risk of heartburn. These foods do not have a high fat content, nor do they contain caffeine, grease or other factors that can induce heartburn. You can also consume bland foods such as peanut butter and crackers, soup, oatmeal and pudding or custard to reduce the chance of heartburn.

Considerations

Chronic or frequent heartburn can indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, or acid reflux disease. Over-the-counter antacids can help reduce stomach acid to alleviate the symptoms associated with heartburn. If you experience heartburn three or more times per week, every week, ask your doctor about finding out the cause of your heartburn. If your diet consists of high-fat, spicy foods with a lot of caffeine, making necessary changes can help reduce heartburn. Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can also aggravate heartburn.