People with GERD and acid reflux are advised to be more selective in their daily food choices. Certain foods are known to trigger acid reflux, causing a burning sensation in the chest, bloating, nausea, and even a burning sensation in the throat.
This condition occurs because a number of foods can stimulate the production of excess stomach acid or weaken the valve separating the stomach and esophagus.
As a result, stomach acid rises more easily and causes GERD symptoms to recur.
The following is a list of foods that GERD sufferers should limit or avoid, summarized from Eat This Not That , Sunday (17/5/2026).
1. Fried Food
Fried foods tend to be high in fat and take longer to digest. This causes the stomach to produce more acid.
High fat can also weaken the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) valve so that stomach acid can more easily rise into the esophagus.
2. Oranges
Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit have high acid levels that can trigger excess stomach acid production.
Therefore, this type of fruit should be avoided when GERD is flaring up.
3. Chocolate
Although it is popular with many people, chocolate can actually worsen GERD symptoms if consumed in excess.
Chocolate can relax the esophageal valve muscles, allowing stomach contents to rise more easily and triggering a burning sensation in the chest.
4. Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks can cause bloating and put more pressure on the stomach.
This pressure makes it easier for stomach acid to rise into the esophagus.
5. Coffee and Caffeinated Beverages
The caffeine content in coffee and tea can stimulate excess stomach acid production, especially if consumed in excess.
6. Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks can increase gas production in the stomach, thus triggering bloating and heartburn.
7. Spicy Food
Spicy food is one of the most common triggers of GERD.
A 2020 study found that 62 percent of GERD patients cited spicy food as a major trigger for acid reflux.
8. Ultra-Processed Snacks
Ultra-processed foods that contain lots of additives, sweeteners, and artificial colors are also considered bad for GERD sufferers.
Diets high in fat, salt, and spices are known to be associated with an increased risk of acid reflux.
9. Tomatoes and their products
Tomatoes contain malic acid and citric acid which can increase stomach acid production.
Not only fresh tomatoes, tomato sauce and pasta sauce can also worsen GERD symptoms.
10. Peppermint Tea
Although known to aid digestion, peppermint tea can actually worsen acid reflux by causing the esophageal valve to relax too much.
As an alternative, GERD sufferers are advised to choose ginger or chamomile tea.
11. Sour Fruit Juice
Orange juice, tomato juice, or grapefruit juice still have acidic properties that can trigger reflux even when they are in drink form.
12. Fatty Meat
High-fat meats such as ribs, chicken with skin, or fatty beef take longer to digest, increasing stomach acid production.
13. Pizza
Pizza is a food that is quite risky for GERD sufferers because it usually contains acidic tomato sauce, fatty meat, and high salt content.
GERD sufferers are advised to pay closer attention to their diet to prevent acid reflux symptoms from recurring. In addition to avoiding trigger foods, it’s also important to control portion sizes and avoid lying down immediately after eating.