Q: I have been told that I have acid reflux and my diet needs to change dramatically. I have been eating a lot of ketchup since I was a child and have been told to stay away from tomatoes, along with almost everything else that I enjoy. Can you recommend an alternative to ketchup that does not have the acidity, sugar and high sodium content? I find food to be quite bland and am looking for a tasty condiment. – Roger

A: Acid reflux can be very difficult for individuals who enjoy condiments because many of them contain salt and vinegar. If you are looking to enhance the taste of your meals consider creating chutney. If you have a food processor these condiments are pretty easy to create. Avoid recipes that call for vinegar though and limit the amount of garlic you use. If you really want to eat tomatoes or incorporate them into a chutney use Roma tomatoes. These have a lower acid content. You can even find acid-free tomatoes at some supermarkets or farmer’s markets.