Summer barbecues are a wonderful way to get friends and family together, but the meals are often filled with common acid reflux triggers that can ruin anyone's fun. If your chest is burning after having a burger or you're reaching for another antacid after enjoying a tangy artichoke dip, then you may be experiencing symptoms of acid reflux.
Acid reflux, also referred to as heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a condition marked by the migration of stomach acid into the esophagus, which affects one in five Americans.
"When food enters the esophagus, digestive muscles push it down through the lower esophageal sphincter, a valve-like opening that connects the esophagus and the stomach," said M. Emin Donat, M.D., Chief of Gastroenterology, Beaumont Hospital, Troy. "For most people, the lower esophageal sphincter remains closed after the food passes through it. In those with reflux, stomach acid splashes into the esophagus during digestion, which causes the burning sensation in the chest or a feeling of a lump in the throat. "
Some people are able to manage acid reflux by simply making lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight or avoiding food triggers. "Uncontrolled acid reflux is one of the leading causes of esophageal cancer in North America. It is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing acid reflux symptoms more than twice a week,” Dr. Donat said.
To avoid having acid reflux at your next summer cookout, try avoiding these common foods and beverages:
- tomatoes
- raw onions and garlic
- fatty red meat
- oil and vinegar or creamy salad dressings
- potato chips and other fried foods
- fatty desserts, such as ice cream
- alcohol
- citrus fruits and beverages, like lemonade
- tea
- carbonated beverages
While some of your favorite foods may be listed, your summer fun doesn't have to end here. Consider these seven tips for your next backyard BBQ:
- Pass on the greasy burgers and make them from extra-lean ground beef, turkey or chicken.
- Instead of grilling chicken wings with heaps of barbecue sauce, grill skinless chicken breast with sauce on the side.
- Try grilling a fish steak such as salmon, tuna, swordfish or halibut.
- Top your sandwich with low-fat cheese, such as part-skim mozzarella.
- Leave out the fatty mayonnaise and mix in a fat-free mayonnaise to your coleslaw.
- Enjoy baked potato or tortilla chips instead of the greasy fried chips.
- Make fruit kebabs and enjoy them raw or grilled for a fantastic dessert. Fruits like apples, bananas, peaches, plums and nectarines are good choices to try.
Follow these tips and the only burn you may be feeling will be from the sun. Grill on!