Dining Out Choices for People With Heartburn (2024)

Digestive Health

Heartburn

Diet

BySharon Gillson

Updated on April 19, 2024

Medically reviewed byJay N. Yepuri, MD

Eating certain foods in restaurants can trigger heartburn, just like they do at home. However, there are methods you can use to reduce your chances of having acid reflux triggered by what you eat and drink. These include regulating food choices, knowing how the food is prepared, beverage selection, and limitingportion sizes.

The following recommendations on what to avoid and what is better to eat cover many of the trigger foods and safer foods identified by people with heartburn. Keep a food record to identify which are often a problem for you. Thiswill help you make smart choices for a heartburn-free dining experience.

Causes and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Dining Out Choices for People With Heartburn (1)

General Dining Guidelines

When you eat out, inquire how the dish is prepared and whether it is served with a sauce or gravy. Ask for a low-fat substitute or for the sauce to beserved on the side. Check whether the meal includes any of your trigger foods that you know are often followed by a bout of acid reflux.

Foods to Avoid

These foods are often identified as setting off heartburn:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, iced tea, and cola
  • Cheese-intense foods, including sandwich melts (grilled, with cheese)
  • Chili
  • Chocolate
  • Citrus drinks such as orange juice and lemonade
  • Citrus fruit and dishes with a lot of them
  • Club sandwiches
  • Creamy soup
  • Foods prepared with butter or oil
  • Fried foods, such as burgers, fried chicken, fried fish
  • High-fat sauces, salad dressings, gravy, mayonnaise
  • High-fat side dishes, such as french fries
  • High-fat sauces, salad dressings, gravy, mayonnaise
  • Onions
  • Peppers
  • Tomato-based foods, including catsup

Better Choices

These foods are less likely to set off heartburn.

  • Baked potatoes topped with low-fat salad dressing
  • Broth-based soups
  • Grilled foods
  • Lean cuts of meat, white meat
  • Low-fat or no-fat salad dressings
  • Lighter desserts, such as angel food cake
  • Sandwiches with turkey, chicken, or roast beef on whole grain bread
  • Steamed vegetables

Type of Cuisine

Dining out at your favorite Chinese, Mexican, or Italian restaurant can mean you have less control over your meal options and it may be harder to prevent heartburn.

If you aren't sure what is in a dish or how the dish is prepared, don't be afraid to ask and request alterations or substitutions. Here are some suggestions for dining out at one of the following specific types of restaurants.

8 Tips for How to Prevent Heartburn

Chinese Restaurants

Asian cuisine can range from mild to very spicy and use preparation styles that are heartburn-friendly or not. It may be best to avoid buffets and instead order off the menu requesting the type of preparation and ingredients that you best tolerate. Use these rules of thumb.

Foods to Avoid

  • Breaded and fried entrees

  • Crispy deep-fried noodles

  • Egg rolls

  • Hot and sour soup

  • Overly spicy dishes

  • Ribs

  • Sauces thickened with eggs and butter

  • Sweet and sour dishes

Better Choices

  • Brown rice

  • Dishes made with vegetables in a light sauce

  • Entrees such asbeef with broccoli, velvet chicken, or shrimp with mushrooms and bamboo shoots

  • Sauces thickened with broth and cornstarch

  • Steamed dumplings

  • Stir-fried or steamed dishes with light wine or lobster sauces

  • Wonton soup

  • Fortune cookies for dessert

Avoiding Acid Reflux When Eating Chinese Food

Mexican Restaurants

A typical chain restaurant may have dishes that are heavy on cheese, acidic ingredients, and spices. The basket of fried tortilla chips and salsa is probably best avoided. But you should be able to find choices that are more heartburn-friendly and request mild spices.

Foods to Avoid

  • Cheese and sour cream toppings

  • Chile peppers

  • Chimichangas

  • Chorizo (Mexican sausage)

  • Deep fried tortilla chips and taco shells

  • Mole (chocolate) sauce

  • Refried beans

  • Salsa, tomato, and onions

  • Sangria and margaritas (citrus)

  • Flanor other rich desserts

Better Choices

  • Broth-based soups

  • Burritos

  • Dishes prepared with herbs such as cumin and cilantro

  • Fajitas

  • Grilled chicken or fish

  • Low-fat refried beans and rice

  • Mild guacamole on a flour tortilla

  • Tortillas

Italian Restaurants

Visions of tomato sauce and cheese might come to mind when you think of Italian cuisine. You will need to learn to ask about preparation and sauces that are less likely to trigger heartburn.

Foods to Avoid

  • Antipastos with cheese, salami, and spicy peppers

  • Carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon)

  • Foods prepared with lots of garlic and spices

  • Heavy tomato or cream sauces

  • Oil-based salad dressings

  • Parmigiana (fried, smothered in tomato sauce and mozzarella)

  • Pizza toppings such as double cheese, lots of sauce, sausage and pepperoni, hot peppers

  • Rich, heavy desserts, such as cheesecake or tiramisu

Better Choices

  • Dishes with little or no cheese

  • Grilled meat, poultry, or fish.

  • Minestrone (vegetable) or pastafa*gioli(macaroni and bean) soups

  • Pasta "enbrodo," which is a light broth-type sauce

  • Pasta primavera without sauce

  • Pizza with little sauce and cheese

  • Risotto or polenta dishes made with vegetables, not butter and cheese

  • Veal or chicken in a light mushroom sauce

  • Vegetable side dishes without garlic or too much olive oil

  • Biscotti(crunchy Italian cookies) for dessert

A Word From Verywell

In addition to avoiding certain foods, aim to eat half of the meal and take the rest home to eat the next day. Avoid eating at least 2-3 hours before lying down or going to bed.

ROBERT BURAKOFF, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD

Dining Out Choices for People With Heartburn (2)

Heartburn

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is GERD?

    Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as chronic acid reflux, is a condition that causes acid contents in the stomach to travel upward into the esophagus. This happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't.

  • What causes GERD?

    Some common causes for GERD include a malfunctioning LES, obesity, certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, smoking, impaired stomach function, and asthma, among others.

    Learn MoreCauses and Risk Factors of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

  • What's the difference between heartburn and GERD?

    Heartburn, or acid reflux, can happen to anyone. It is a digestive problem defined by stomach acid coming into contact with the esophagus which causes inflammation and burning. When reflux is frequent and severe, it is known as GERD.

    Learn MoreSymptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

  • Is pasta good for acid reflux?

    By itself or with little sauce and cheese, pasta shouldn't trigger acid reflux. However, specific ingredients and toppings can lead to heartburn in people prone to it, such as heavy tomato or cream sauces, lots of garlic and spices, and carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon).

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Harvard Health Publishing. What to eat when you have chronic heartburn.

  2. Koufman, JA, Stern, J, Bauer, MB. Dropping acid: the reflux diet cookbook & cure. New York, New York.

Additional Reading

By Sharon Gillson
Sharon Gillson is a writer living with and covering GERD and other digestive issues.

See Our Editorial Process

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Dining Out Choices for People With Heartburn (2024)

FAQs

Dining Out Choices for People With Heartburn? ›

Broth based soup, fajitas, grilled chicken or fish, low-fat refried beans and rice, mild guacamole, tortillas, Burritos with grilled chicken, steak, or fish.

What to eat out when you have acid reflux? ›

Broth based soup, fajitas, grilled chicken or fish, low-fat refried beans and rice, mild guacamole, tortillas, Burritos with grilled chicken, steak, or fish.

What to make for dinner that won't cause heartburn? ›

To curb heartburn, build your meals around naturally low-acid foods like:
  • Melons and bananas. While most fruits have a high acid content, these don't. ...
  • Oatmeal. It's a great way to start your day. ...
  • Bread. ...
  • Rice and couscous. ...
  • Green veggies. ...
  • Lean poultry and meats. ...
  • Potatoes. ...
  • Fish.
Mar 15, 2024

What can I eat at a Mexican restaurant with GERD? ›

There are plenty of foods that are less likely to trigger heartburn, many of which are readily available across cuisines. When eating at a Mexican restaurant, for example, experts point to options including fajitas, broth-based soups, low-fat beans and rice, guacamole and tortillas.

What food cancels out acid reflux? ›

Foods That Help Prevent Acid Reflux
  • High-fiber foods. Fibrous foods make you feel full so you're less likely to overeat, which may contribute to heartburn. ...
  • Alkaline foods. Foods fall somewhere along the pH scale (an indicator of acid levels). ...
  • Watery foods. ...
  • Milk. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Apple cider vinegar. ...
  • Lemon water.

Can I eat pizza with acid reflux? ›

Therefore, fast foods like pizza, salty snacks like potato chips, fatty meats like bacon and sausages, and dairy products, such as cheese, can trigger acid reflux. Some other foods that can trigger symptoms of acid reflux include citrus fruits, carbonated beverages, tomato-based sauces, chocolate, and peppermint.

What foods are easy on heartburn? ›

Foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and healthy fats help reduce the likelihood of heartburn. Remember to try to avoid or reduce citrus fruits and foods high in fat or oil.

Is pasta ok for acid reflux? ›

While pasta can be ok to eat if you're suffering from acid reflux, often your favourite sauces might not be! As we've already mentioned, tomatoes might make acid reflux symptoms worse – so it's best to swap out tomato-based sauces for a low-fat milk sauce or a broth. Milk can be a key component of many of our diets.

What meat is good for acid reflux? ›

Lean Meats

Fatty meats have high levels of saturated fat, which is known to make heartburn worse. Choosing leaner cuts of meat such as chicken breast, tilapia, pork tenderloin, and top sirloin can help reduce your overall saturated fat intake.

What settles acid reflux immediately? ›

Once acid reflux starts, you can use over-the-counter medications like antacids or H2 blockers to stop the symptoms fast. Home remedies like drinking milk or eating a banana may help relieve heartburn symptoms. If medications don't relieve heartburn, and the pain is very severe, you may need to get medical care.

What takeaway can I eat with acid reflux? ›

  • Dishes with little or no cheese.
  • Grilled meat, poultry, or fish.
  • Minestrone (vegetable) or pasta fa*gioli (macaroni and bean) soups.
  • Pasta "en brodo," which is a light broth-type sauce.
  • Pasta primavera without sauce.
  • Pizza with little sauce and cheese.
  • Risotto or polenta dishes made with vegetables, not butter and cheese.
Apr 19, 2024

What desserts can I eat with acid reflux? ›

Desserts
  • angel food cake.
  • sponge cake.
  • low fat cookies.
  • low fat ice cream.
  • sherbet.
  • frozen low fat yogurt.
  • hard candy.

What to have for dinner with acid reflux? ›

Acid reflux takes place when the acid from your stomach touches the esophagus, causing pain and irritation. Good foods to eat for dinner to avoid heartburn include leafy greens, non-citrus fruits, ginger, oatmeal, healthy fats, seafood and aloe vera juice.

What salad dressing is ok for acid reflux? ›

Creamy Yogurt Salad Dressing

Mix 8 oz fat free plain yogurt with 1/4 cup fat free mayonnaise. Add 2 TBSP dried dill weed, 1 TBSP ginger, cilantro or basil, and 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar. Whisk well and refrigerate. Yields 8 (2 TBSP) servings.

Is grilled cheese bad for heartburn? ›

DAIRY. People often think dairy, like whole milk, will soothe a burning throat or upset stomach. However, milk and dairy products are high in fat and tend to make heartburn worse. When you have frequent GERD symptoms, like heartburn, eating high-fat dairy products like cheese can aggravate your symptoms.

What fast food is good for acid reflux? ›

Tracy's 9 Best Fast Food Picks for Those With GERD
  • McDonalds. I order, "Grilled chicken, plain, with a small order of fries."
  • Chinese Take Out. ...
  • Smoothie Shops. ...
  • Food Court at the Mall - the Japanese place. ...
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken. ...
  • Snow Cone Stands. ...
  • Pizza shops. ...
  • Convenient stores such as Wawa or Royal Farms.
Aug 1, 2007

Can I eat chicken if I have acid reflux? ›

Examples of the best foods for acid reflux include: Chicken breast – Be sure to remove the fatty skin. Skip fried and instead choose baked, broiled or grilled. Lettuce, celery and sweet peppers – These mild green veggies are easy on the stomach – and won't cause painful gas.

How do you flush acid out of your stomach? ›

How to Treat Acid Reflux Naturally
  1. Drink diluted baking soda. Also known as sodium bicarbonate or bicarbonate of soda, baking can help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux. ...
  2. Drink diluted lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. ...
  3. Drink a glass of milk. ...
  4. Chew some gum. ...
  5. Enjoy ginger root in soups, smoothies or tea. ...
  6. Take Iberogast®
Feb 18, 2022

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