What Sweets Can You Eat With Acid Reflux

December 13, 2023 by Mani Pandey

When holidays are around the corner, and one thing you see everywhere is sweets, resisting becomes hard even if you have acid reflux.

Acid reflux is associated with symptoms like heartburn, chest pain, and regurgitation. However, following a low-acid and stomach-friendly diet can manage the issues considerably.

Unfortunately, some sweets can trigger the symptoms when consumed, especially in large quantities. Occasional treats are fine, but when holidays are coming, things may go south.

It is when knowing what sweets you can eat with acid reflux helps. Once you know which sweets and desserts won’t worsen, the symptoms will help satisfy your sweet tooth during the festive season.

So, let’s find out what sweets you can eat with acid reflux.

Article Contains

What Sweets Can You Eat With Acid Reflux?

If you think most sweets and desserts are needed to be avoided with acid reflux and GERD, you are not completely right. Certain sweet treats you can enjoy irrespective of the season without compromising your acid reflux.

Some sweets that you can indulge in are-

Honey
Jams
Jellies
Angel food cake
Low-sugar yogurt
Ice cream or sorbet
Low-fat cookies

No matter what you like, eating them in moderation is necessary. Too much of anything, especially sugar, could deteriorate your health.

Check the Ingredients

Whatever sweet you are consuming, check the labels or ask the baker what ingredients are used in it.

If there are any added trigger ingredients like caffeine, cocoa beans, artificial sweeteners, or anything else that doesn’t suit your system, avoid it straight away.

Any ingredient which is otherwise healthy or a part of healthy food that can trigger the symptoms of acid reflux should not be consumed.

Sweets Safe For Acid Reflux

Sweets safe on a low-acid diet are usually made with low or moderately low sugar. At the same time, they should not contain too much fat as it can increase stomach acid.

Therefore, some safe sweets for acid reflux include honey, jam, syrup, low-sugar yogurt, low-fat cookies, and gelatine from allowed food such as animal bones.

Since these foods are low-fat, the chances of increasing stomach acid reduce. Furthermore, they are low-sugar, contributing to a decreased frequency of acid reflux and GERD symptoms.

Since they are still sweets, occasional intake in moderate amounts is necessary. However, it doesn’t mean you have to eliminate sugar and fat from your diet entirely. Since both these are good sources of energy and help different organs to function properly, sugar and fat are essential.

The only thing to make sure of is to control your intake of it.

[ Read: 7 Best & Simple Exercises to Reduce Belly Fat at Home ]

What Sweets To Avoid With Acid Reflux?

The thumb rule is to check the sugar and artificial flavoring in the sweets to ensure whether it is safe for acid reflux or not.

Since most sweets are infused with artificial sweeteners, flavoring agents, preservatives, and whatnot, they all contribute to stomach acid, leading to acid reflux and GERD.

Some of the most common sweets that you should completely avoid include-

Desserts and sweets with chocolate flavoring
Pastries high in fat
Nuts
Chewing gums
Hard candies
Lollipops

While some of these sweets are infused with artificial sweeteners and additives that can cause indigestion, some are rich in fat that can inflame the stomach lining and irritate the esophagus, triggering acid reflux.

Natural Sweet Treats For People With Acid Reflux

If you want to stick to natural sweets (fruits) instead of processed ones, you have made the right choice.

Some sweets are natural, healthier, and a great substitute for store-bought candies and syrups. At the same time, they deliver essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients to the body while satisfying your sweet tooth.

Also, since natural sweets that are fruits are fiber-rich, they will make you feel full while soaking up excess stomach acid. The best fruit choices are-

Banana
Watermelon
Papaya
Dates
Figs
Berries
Cantaloupe

All these fruits are highly beneficial for people with acid reflux as it contributes to good gut health. However, you should still keep in mind that even if they are fruits, you should consume them in moderation and never overdo them.

Eating Cake With Acid Reflux

Generally, cakes are loaded with high-fat ingredients. They are high in sugar as well. So, if you have heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux, it is better to avoid it.

Cakes, pastries, and cupcakes are filled with artificially sweetened frosting, heavy cream, and chocolate sprinkles. All these impact the digestive system negatively. So, avoiding them will be a wise decision.

Final Words

We understand that it is hard to control the urge to have sweets, especially when festivals are around the corner. But sticking to the mentioned choices will ensure you stay healthy and enjoy the festival with your beloveds instead of visiting your doctor.

The choice is yours!

Image Credit: freepik

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