Acid Reflux Foods To Avoid

Q: I have had heartburn for years. It happens even if I don't drink coffee for a day. or seemiingly no matter what. I take prevacid and tums and rolaids. I feel awful most of the time, constant burning in the esophagus, it feels raw and irrtated down my throa, similar to a bad cold. Has gotten gradually worse over 3 or 4 years. Doctors have dismissed it or given me a prescription. I asked my current doctor if I should stop drinking coffee or change diet and she said it isn't necessary. Is it just me or does anyone else experience the medical profession being in love with pills, and just dispensing somethign rather than trying to get at the how, why and cure of the problem? I guess we have to be our own doctor nowadays. I would change my diet, but I am not sure how. I read many different things in books. Caffeine and chocolate are generally bad. But almost anything drinkable seems to be acidic or acid-stimulating : OJ, milk, soda, tea, gatorade, etc.Foods are similar in that most things cause irritation. I can't forgo everything. I do not want some stronger medication, or any if I can avoid it. I am think of trying this beginning with the new year . So can anyone suggest the things that I should avoid

A:breakfast: oatmeal, plain or with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and 1 teaspoon maple syrup. (or) toast with very light butter, 1 serving eggs made with just egg whites (i found and bought some of this, right next to the "Egg Beaters.") also with small glass of skim milk. lunch: cup of herbal or green tea, not too strong, with touch of skim milk to lighten. 1 sandwich, no condiments. whole wheat bread. 1 small serving of vegetable cooked the night before. Different one each day. 1 fruit 20-30 minute walk dinner: 1 small potato, baked or mashed. with 1 teaspoon real butter. dash of salt and pepper allowed. 1 glass of wine 1 cup of vegetable, steamed. make extra to save for next day's lunch. 1 serving of meat, pasta, soup&crackers, or different/interesting dish. keep portion small. 1 fruit as dessert 20-30 minute walk before dinner when possible dinner at least 2

hours before sleeping. in between: 1 liter of bottled water, taken in small sips throught the day. more if any heavy exercise performed. for variety, water can be flavored by adding a small amount of juice to it. 1 plain bagel, no condiments. quality bagels are good by themsleves. eat whenever mood strikes or not filled by one of the meals. other rules: - chew all food completely, eat slowly. If short of time, eat less - it is ok to be a part of special meals, buffets, etc, just eat less quantity, more variety. - stop yourself when you find you are eating because of compulsiveness or nervousness alone - just say no to candy, coffee, chocolate, etc. -