Although experiencing heartburn after eating spicy food is quite normal, it is considered a problem if you get it more than twice a week. You may have gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease). If you have gerd symptoms, there are certain types of food to avoid as well.
Foods to Avoid if you Have Gerd
- Fruits: orange, lemon, grapefruit, cranberry, canned sweetened foods
- Tomatoes: this includes all tomato based products such as spaghetti sauce and ketchup
- Vegetables: french fries, onions, garlic
- Meats: ground beef, sirloin, chicken nuggets, buffalo wings, any other meats high in fat
- Dairy: sour cream, whole milk, cottage cheese, ice cream
- Any Fatty and Oily Foods: all fried foods, salad dressing (raw, unheated, and unprocessed oils should be eaten though)
- Greasy and Salty Foods
- Sweets: brownie, cookies, doughnuts, etc
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated Beverages: Coffee(this includes decaffeinated as well), tea
- Carbonated Beverages: coke, sprite, etc
- Alcohol
- Spicy Foods
- Mints: don’t forget about products like toothpaste that contain mint
Some of these foods may not worsen symptoms for you. You need to make sure what foods do this to you. You need to be proactive to find out that these are and make sure you are on a proper treatment.
Also, you do not have to eliminate everything from this diet and not be able to eat it forever, but you’ll want to stop eating it until your gerd symptoms get better. Also, if do choose to eat it, make sure you eat it in small portions and not as frequently.