Citrus fruits along with tomato-based products (tomato is technically a fruit and

contains a lot of acid) have the potential to cause acid reflux, Dr. Chutkan says.

This applies to citrusy fruit juices as well. So while apple juice would probably be
fine, orange juice isn't the best choice.

Which foods should I limit or avoid?

Not all foods affect everyone the same way. You will need to learn which foods
cause your symptoms. Seasonings, such as pepper, increase stomach acid and may
irritate your stomach. Foods that contain chocolate, are spicy, or are high in fat
may also irritate your stomach. Drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine may also
cause symptoms. The following are some foods that you may need to limit or
avoid:

 Beverages:

o Hot cocoa and cola

o Whole milk and chocolate milk

o Peppermint and spearmint tea

o Regular and decaf coffee

o Green and black tea, with or without caffeine

o Drinks that contain alcohol

o Orange and grapefruit juices

 Spices and seasonings:

o Black and red pepper

o Garlic powder

o Chili powder
 Other foods:

o Dairy foods made from whole milk or cream

o Spicy or strongly flavored cheeses, such as jalapeno or black pepper

o Highly seasoned, high-fat meats, such as sausage, salami, bacon, ham,

and cold cuts

o Hot chiles and peppers

o Onions and garlic

o Tomato products, such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, or tomato

juice
Which foods can I eat and drink?

Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups. Eat fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy foods. Whole grains include whole-
wheat breads, cereals, pasta, and brown rice. Choose lean meats, poultry (chicken
and turkey), fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. A healthy meal plan is low in unhealthy
fats, salt, and added sugar. Healthy fats include olive oil and canola oil. Ask your
dietitian for more information about a healthy diet.
What other guidelines may be helpful?
 Do not eat right before bedtime. Stop eating at least 2 hours before
bedtime.

 Eat small, frequent meals. Your stomach may tolerate small, frequent

meals better than large meals.
 There are plenty of things you can do nutritionally to help: for example
 eating Manuka honey which is available from health food stores and some
 supermarkets. This honey has been shown to be very healing for ulcers and
also able to combat H pylori if eaten every day.
DO NOT EAT.
Dairy Products
Some people believe that drinking milk soothes a gastric ulcer, but milk actually
makes stomach ulcers worse. Why? Once it comes into contact with the stomach
lining, it stimulates the production of even more stomach acid which makes the
symptoms more pronounced. The bottom line? If you've been diagnosed with a
stomach ulcer, limit your milk consumption to one cup a day or less.
Coffee
This is a tough one for some people to give up, but they may experience fewer
ulcer symptoms if they do. Coffee is another food that aggravates gastric ulcer
symptoms by stimulating secretion of stomach acid. By the time you add a little
milk to your coffee, you've really added insult to injury. It doesn't seem to matter
whether you drink caffeinated or decaf, all coffee seems to be bad for gastric
ulcers.
Tea
Tea is another potent stimulator of stomach acid secretion. According to one study,
adding cream and sugar reduces the acid stimulating effect of tea. Go figure.
Alcohol
Not surprisingly, alcohol also stimulates stomach acid secretion - which is not a
good thing for people with gastric ulcers. It's best to completely avoid alcohol if
you have any type of stomach ulcer.
Spicy Foods
They taste good going down, but once they hit the lining of your stomach, spicy
foods cause problems if you have a gastric ulcer. Such spices as cayenne pepper,
chili powder, and garlic are all known to aggravate gastric ulcers. Even though
spicy foods can make ulcer symptoms worse, there's no evidence that these foods
actually cause them.