What to Eat With Esophagitis: Foods That Soothe an Irritated Esophagus

When you have an irritated or inflamed esophagus, also known as esophagitis, eating, drinking, and swallowing can be very painful.

In most cases, your esophagus will heal on its own, but in the meantime, it can be helpful to lean on soothing, anti-inflammatory foods and avoid irritating foods in your daily diet.

Foods That Heal Esophagitis

No specific food heals esophagitis. However, plenty of options can help minimize irritation as your esophagus recovers.

If your esophagus is very inflamed and painful, Cleveland Clinic says to lean on softer, nutrient-dense foods, such as:

• Avocado
• Cooked fruits
• Cooked vegetables
• Fish

Each of these options is easier to swallow than raw produce and tougher meat selections. They cause less friction and ultimately feel less irritating on the esophagus.

These foods also have many anti-inflammatory properties, notes Harvard Medical School, which may help reduce pain and swelling in your esophagus as you heal.

Dairy and Esophagitis

So long as you’re not lactose intolerant, low-fat dairy products, such as certain milks, yogurts, and cheeses, may be tolerated with esophagitis, according to Cedars Sinai.

Avoid dairy products that contain nuts, seeds, spices, granola, or whole fruits, as these additional elements are difficult to swallow comfortably when your esophagus is inflamed.

It’s also best to minimize your consumption of high-fat dairy products to avoid acid reflux, says Johns Hopkins Medicine, because these foods can further agitate a case of esophagitis.

Keep Foods Cool or Room Temperature

According to Penn Medicine, it may also feel more comfortable to eat foods that are cool or kept at room temperature rather than very cold or very hot options. Avoid temperature extremes to make eating tolerable as your esophagus heals.

Try a Pureed or Liquid Diet

If swallowing is very painful, you can also try switching to a pureed diet, suggests Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Cook your foods until they’re very soft, put them in a blender with a liquid like milk or stock, and puree them until they’re the consistency of smooth mashed potatoes.

You can also include warm (not hot) soups and cool (not cold) smoothies.

Foods to Avoid When Your Esophagus Is Inflamed

Diet may not cause an inflamed esophagus, but certain foods may make it worse, says Mayo Clinic. It’s often helpful to keep a food journal so you can track your symptoms, learn which foods make you feel worse, and avoid them until you feel better.

Most of the time, acid reflux causes esophagitis, according to Cleveland Clinic. When acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus, it can burn and damage the lining of your esophagus.

Eating very spicy or very acidic foods can make your inflamed esophagus feel even worse because they can burn the tissue that’s already irritated.

When acid reflux is behind esophagitis, it’s key to limit the foods that trigger the event and lead to irritation in the first place. The foods that cause acid reflux differ from person to person. However, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, common trigger foods and beverages include:

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Citrus
• Coffee
• Fatty, greasy foods, like fried chicken or french fries
• Peppermint
• Spicy foods
• Tomatoes and tomato products

More Helpful Tips for Eating With Esophagitis

In addition to what you eat and don’t eat, how you eat can have an impact on an inflamed esophagus as well.

Eat Slowly

Eating slowly and chewing your food very well is key, says Cedars Sinai. Smaller bits of food that are chewed thoroughly can travel down your esophagus much more quickly and smoothly than larger bites.

Include a Drink With Your Meal

Make sure you drink while you eat to keep the food moist and easier to swallow. If your meal is too dry, it’s more likely to hurt your esophagus when you swallow.

Research recommends sticking to water and herbal teas like chamomile for soothing hydration. You may also find it more comfortable to avoid carbonated beverages.

Eat Smaller Meals

Eating smaller meals can also be helpful for esophagitis, says Northwestern Medicine. Smaller meals maintain a helpful distance between the top of your stomach and the bottom of your esophagus. They allow your stomach to empty faster and reduce your risk of an acid reflux event.

Avoid Eating Close to Bedtime

It can also help to eat dinner several hours before going to bed or lying down. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, by remaining in an upright position after eating, you allow gravity to support digestion. This keeps stomach acid in your stomach and out of your esophagus.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If your esophagitis comes on suddenly after taking a new medication, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist whether esophagitis is one of the potential side effects, suggests Cleveland Clinic. You may need to alert your doctor and ask about a medication change.

If you have a mild case of acid reflux that’s causing esophagitis, it will likely resolve on its own once you eliminate foods that trigger it. However, if your symptoms seem severe or continue to worsen, call your doctor.

Chronic esophagus irritation is a leading cause of more serious conditions including Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer, so it’s important to seek medical advice whenever you experience esophagitis.