We often talk about foods that can make heartburn worse, from coffee to chocolate to tomatoes. But what about foods that can help relieve it? Here are a few key foods to add to your diet if you suffer from this problem.

This unpleasant feeling occurs when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. However, once the acid is in your stomach, it’s not the only problem. Natural acids in foods, found in many fruits, vegetables, and beverages, also play a role, says Bunny Roland, MD, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University.

To prevent heartburn, she advises, base your meals on naturally low-acid foods, such as:

Melons and bananas
While most fruits are high in acid, there are exceptions, bananas are always a welcome snack. All types of melons and watermelons are good.

Oatmeal
In addition to being a great way to start your day, it doesn’t cause reflux, is filling, and is full of healthy fiber.

Bread
Choose one made with whole grains, wheat, or whole-wheat breads that are packed with fiber and nutrients.

Rice and couscous
These healthy complex carbs are great if you have reflux. When choosing rice, opt for brown rice, which has more fiber.

Green vegetables
Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, celery, and cauliflower are all low in acid. Another benefit to your body is, of course, the amount of vitamins they contain.

Lean poultry and meat
Grill or steam chicken and turkey. Just remove the skin and don’t fry them, says Roland.

Even ground beef and steak can be good, if they’re lean, says Roland.

Potatoes
They’re great, as are other root vegetables. Avoid onions.

Fish
Grilled, poached, and baked fish are good choices. Just don’t fry them or use fatty sauces.

Egg whites
They’re a good source of protein and low in acid. Just skip the yolk, which is more likely to cause problems.

There are other foods and herbs that have long been touted as remedies for reflux and stomach problems.

But keep in mind that while they may provide relief for some, they won’t work for everyone, says gastroenterologist Jay Kummerle, M.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University.

These include:

Fennel: There’s some evidence that it can improve your digestion. It has a pH of 6.9, so it’s low in acid.

Ginger: A long-standing natural remedy for stomach problems, it also seems to help with reflux.

Parsley: That sprig of parsley on your plate isn’t just for decoration. Parsley has been a traditional remedy for stomach ailments for hundreds of years.
Aloe vera: This is another old remedy for gastrointestinal problems that seems to help with reflux. You can buy aloe vera as a plant or as a supplement—in capsules, juices, and other forms. Just make sure it’s not in latex form and doesn’t contain anthraquinones (primarily the compound aloin), which can irritate the digestive system.

How do you know which foods are good for you?

You can’t see how acidic a food is, and this information isn’t even listed on the nutrition label. But you can look at the pH of a food, which is a measure of its acid content. The lower the pH, the more acidic it is.

So, lemon juice has a pH of 2.0. If you aim for foods with a pH of 5 or higher, you may experience fewer symptoms. You can find the pH levels of foods on some websites and specialty cookbooks.