Foods to Eat on a Barrett's Esophagus Diet (Plus 5 to Avoid)

What Is Barrett's Esophagus?

Barrett's esophagus is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth and stomach) changes to tissue that is similar to the lining of the intestine due to damaging exposure to stomach acid, says Gregory Ginsberg, MD, a professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Barrett's disease is difficult to diagnose because it doesn't cause symptoms, according to the NIDDK. Instead, people will often show symptoms of GERD, per the Mayo Clinic, including:

  • Heartburn
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Regurgitation
  • The feeling of a lump in your throat
  • With medications called proton pump inhibitors, which reduce acid production in the stomach so there's less acid rising into the esophagus
  • Surgery to remove the damaged part of your esophagus
  • Dilation treatment to widen a narrowed esophagus

For some people, Barrett's esophagus can heal, per Cedars Sinai, though it's typically a permanent condition.

Tip

If you have severe or frequent GERD symptoms or take heartburn medicine more than twice a week, visit your doctor to get treatment and check for Barrett's esophagus, per the Mayo Clinic.

Best Foods to Eat With Barrett’s Esophagus

While Barrett's can't be cured by diet, watching what you eat can help.

The key, according to Elena Ivanina, DO, a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, is to prevent acid reflux into the esophagus, because Barrett's esophagus is linked to exposure to acid in the esophagus.

Here's what you can eat with Barrett's esophagus to limit reflux:

1. Most Fruits and Vegetables

Dr. Ginsberg says it's important to eat foods that can help reduce inflammation.

They're also full of fiber, Dr. Ginsberg says. Eating fibrous foods like fruits and veggies can support good digestion and help you feel full to avoid eating a lot at once, all of which may reduce your risk for heartburn from GERD, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

However, the researchers noted that more studies are needed to further establish this connection.

Tip

Eating small, frequent meals rather than a few large meals can also help reduce reflux, according to the NIDDK.

2. Whole Grains

Whole grains are another staple to include in your Barrett's disease diet, Dr. Ginsberg says. They're likewise full of fiber, which can help reduce symptoms of acid reflux.

Whole grains to add to your meals include:

  • Brown rice
    • Bran
  • Oatmeal
  • Whole-wheat breads and pastas

3. Low-Acid Foods

Acidic foods can trigger reflux, according to the NIDDK. As a result, sticking to low-acid options can help you avoid the heartburn and other symptoms that may come with a GERD flare-up.

Per Johns Hopkins Medicine, low-acid foods include:

  • Bananas
  • Melons
  • Cauliflower
  • Fennel
    • Nuts

4. Watery Foods

Eating foods that contain lots of water can dilute your stomach acid and potentially reduce symptoms of GERD, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Watery foods to add to your Barrett's mucosa diet include:

  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Lettuce
  • Watermelon
  • Broth-based soups
  • Herbal tea

5. Lean Proteins

High-fat foods can trigger GERD symptoms, according to the NIDDK. To avoid reflux, opt for lean proteins like:

  • Lean poultry like chicken and turkey
    • Tofu
  • Lentils
  • Non-fat yogurt

Foods to Avoid With Barrett’s Esophagus

Although changing your diet doesn't guarantee that Barrett's esophagus won't become cancerous, avoiding certain foods can help reduce acid reflux, Dr. Ginsburg says.

If you have Barrett syndrome, foods to avoid include:

1. High-Fat, Processed Foods

Skipping fatty, processed foods can help ease symptoms of GERD associated with Barrett's esophagus, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. These include:

  • Fried food
  • Fast food
  • Pizza
  • Potato chips and other processed snacks
  • Fatty meats such as bacon and sausages
  • Cheese

2. Acidic Foods

Next on the list of Barrett's disease foods to avoid is anything with high acid content. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this includes:

  • Tomatoes and tomato products like sauce
  • Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit

3. Spicy Foods

It's also best to steer clear of spicy foods if you're following a Barrett's esophagus diet, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. That means skipping any spicy dishes and avoiding seasonings like chili powder and black, white and cayenne pepper.

4. Certain Beverages

Some drinks can also lead to reflux. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the following beverages can aggravate GERD:

  • Coffee
  • Alcohol
  • Carbonated drinks

5. Other Trigger Foods

Chocolate and peppermint can also commonly cause reflux, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.

And this list is by no means exhaustive — different people have different trigger foods, so paying attention to your diet overall is a good idea to detect which snacks give you the most trouble, Dr. Ivanina says.

"It is important to avoid that personalized list of foods that cause reflux," she says.

Tip

Besides following the right diet for Barrett's esophagus, quitting smoking is another important way to prevent esophageal cancer, Dr. Ivanina says.

Read more on: livestrong