Food trigger checker

Alcohol relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter and can irritate the oesophagus.

Apple juice is less acidic than citrus juice but more acidic than whole apples.

Sweet apples are usually well tolerated.

Avocado is healthy but high in fat.

Processed meats like bacon and sausages are usually high in fat and salt.

Ripe bananas are low in acid and fat and are one of the most commonly recommended snacks for people with reflux.

Beans and lentils are low in fat and high in fibre.

Beer combines alcohol with carbonation, and is often drunk in large volumes, all of which can worsen reflux.

Berries are healthy but some, like cranberries and raspberries, are fairly acidic.

Black tea contains less caffeine than coffee.

Most bread is well tolerated.

Broccoli and most green vegetables are low in fat and acid.

Burgers are often high in fat and served with cheese, onion, ketchup and fries, several common triggers in one meal.

Chamomile is caffeine-free and not acidic, and is a popular replacement for peppermint tea.

Many cheeses are high in fat, which slows stomach emptying.

Skinless chicken breast that is grilled, baked or poached is lean and usually well tolerated.

Deep-fried food is high in fat, which slows stomach emptying and is one of the most consistent reflux triggers.

Chocolate contains theobromine and some caffeine, which are thought to relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, and is often high in fat.

Coffee is one of the most commonly reported triggers, but research is mixed: a meta-analysis found no clear link between coffee intake and GERD across populations.

Fizzy soft drinks combine carbonation, acidity and often caffeine, all of which can worsen reflux symptoms.

Crisps are fried and often strongly flavoured with vinegar, onion or spice.

It depends on the curry.

Decaf removes most of the caffeine.

Boiled or poached eggs are usually well tolerated.

Energy drinks are usually high in caffeine, fizzy and acidic, a combination that commonly triggers heartburn.

White fish such as cod and haddock is very lean.

Fried food is high in fat.

Garlic, especially raw, is a commonly reported trigger for some people.

Ginger is often used for nausea, and small amounts are usually well tolerated.

Ginger is widely used for nausea and indigestion, and small amounts are usually well tolerated.

Grapefruit is acidic.

Green tea has less caffeine than black tea or coffee and is usually well tolerated, although it still contains some caffeine.

Honey is not acidic and is rarely a trigger, though there is little evidence that it treats reflux.

Ice cream feels cooling but is usually high in fat and sugar, and chocolate or mint flavours add their own triggers.

Ketchup is made from tomatoes and vinegar, both acidic, and is a commonly reported trigger.

Despite popular claims, there is no good evidence that lemon water helps reflux.

Melons, including watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew, are low in acid and rarely trigger symptoms.

A glass of milk can feel soothing for a moment, but it is not a treatment.

Peppermint and spearmint are thought to relax the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Nuts are healthy but high in fat.

Oat milk is low in fat and not acidic, and is usually well tolerated.

Porridge oats are low in fat, filling and high in fibre, and make a popular reflux-friendly breakfast.

Raw onion has been shown to increase heartburn in people with reflux in a small study, and it is a commonly reported trigger.

Orange juice is acidic.

Citrus fruit is acidic and often stings an inflamed oesophagus, though it does not usually cause reflux by itself.

Pasta itself is usually fine.

Peanut butter is high in fat, which can trigger reflux in some people.

Peppermint feels soothing, but it is thought to relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve that keeps acid in the stomach.

Pineapple is fairly acidic.

Pizza combines tomato sauce, cheese (fat), often spicy or fatty toppings, and is frequently eaten late at night in large portions.

Plain air-popped popcorn is low in fat and usually well tolerated.

Boiled, baked or mashed potatoes are usually well tolerated.

Fatty cuts of red meat are more likely to cause trouble than lean cuts, because of their fat content.

Plain rice is low in fat and acid and is rarely a trigger.

Carbonation adds gas to the stomach, which increases pressure and burping.

Chilli contains capsaicin, which activates pain receptors and can cause burning in a sensitive oesophagus.

Strawberries are mildly acidic.

Tofu is a lean, plant-based protein and is rarely a trigger.

Cooked-down tomato is concentrated and acidic, and is one of the most common triggers.

Tomatoes are acidic, and concentrated tomato products such as sauce, purée and ketchup are among the most commonly reported triggers.

Vinegar is acidic and can sting a sensitive oesophagus.

Still water is the safest drink for reflux.

Wine is acidic and contains alcohol, which relaxes the lower oesophageal sphincter.

Plain, low-fat yoghurt is usually well tolerated.