Recommended Diet for GERD in Children

Children are known to be picky eaters, but add gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) into the mix and it makes feeding a child even more complicated. There are some foods that should definitely be avoided and some that are known to be nonirritant for children suffering from GERD.

Foods to Avoid

Some foods are likely to cause problems for children with GERD; many of them are acidic foods that can give anyone heartburn. Citrus fruits, cranberry, onions and tomatoes are some of the fruits and vegetables to absolutely avoid. Some meals like pizza and buffalo wings are more obvious no-no foods, but some traditional "kid foods" like french fries, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets and even many types of ground beef have been known to cause problems, too. What is especially difficult for many children is the fact that dairy can also be a major gastrointestinal irritant. Milk and yogurt, which are usually staples of a young child's diet, often need to be avoided.

What to Eat

Every child is different, and the severity of their disease will determine exactly what types of foods will work for them. Some foods that have been historically nonirritant are a good place to start. Fruits and vegetables like bananas, apples, carrots and broccoli are good options. Fish, chicken and lean meats like ground sirloin usually digest with ease. Although most high-fat cheeses will bother children with GERD, low-fat cheeses are sometimes OK for them to eat, with soy cheese being a similar-tasting alternative. Grains and legumes are almost always fine, too.

Tips

No child wants to feel deprived or boxed-in by their disease. Parents need to be sensitive to how mentally and physically difficult this disease can be on their child. Don't try to force cabbage into your child simply because it is a safe food, but rather find a vegetable he enjoys eating and work with it. If broccoli is the only vegetable he will eat, try preparing it in different ways, like raw with a bit of low-fat ranch dressing, or cooked with some soy cheese melted over it.
Always look for low-fat, lean options, since high-fat and fried foods are often irritants. For example, hot dogs may not be an option because of their high fat content, but many kids can't taste the difference if you substitute the lower fat and less irritant turkey dog during the family barbecue.
The calcium that dairy provides is essential to growing bones, so if even low-fat dairy products bother your child, check with your doctor about calcium supplements.