A GERD Recommended Diet

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an irritation of the esophagus. It is caused by stomach acid that backs up into the esophagus. It is a chronic condition that is treated with medication when it begins to interfere with a patient's life. A good diet can help reduce the amount of acid the stomach provides and the need for medication to treat it.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of GERD include: heartburn or burning in the chest and throat, a sour taste in the mouth, chest pain, trouble swallowing or dysphagia, sore throat with a dry cough, acid reflux and a feeling of a lump in the throat. See a doctor if you have treated the condition for two weeks with over-the-counter medications and seen no substantial improvement. Your primary care doctor may be able to treat your GERD, but also may refer you to a gastroenterologist.

Basic Diet Info

A diet that can help prevent or reduce acid reflux is one that includes cereal, vegetable, fruit, dairy and meat, with some limitations. Although this diet meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), a Vitamin C supplement can be used if you can't tolerate fruit, juices or other citrus foods that are highly acidic.

What You Can Do

GERD can be slowed by avoiding tobacco, chewing gum and hard candy. You also should avoid lying down after eating and should stay away from evening or bedtime snacks. Wear loose clothing and, if you are overweight, consider losing weight. A an extra pillow can elevate your head at night and help prevent acid from backing up in your throat. But a better option is to elevate the head of your bed by putting something under the legs of the bed.

Foods to Avoid

Foods that tend to aggravate reflux include fatty or fried foods, peppermint and spearmint, whole milk, oils, chocolate, creamy foods or soups and many fast foods. The following foods irritate the lower esophagus and also should be avoided: citrus fruits and juices, coffee, tea and any other drinks with caffeine. Also some people with GERD may be sensitive to individual foods containing spices or acid.

Foods To Eat

Foods that can be tolerated by people with GERD are: Skim, 1 and 2 percent milk, vegetables (except tomatoes), apples, berries, melons, bananas, peaches, pears, low-fat breads, low-fat meat, fish, poultry, desserts with fewer than 3 g of fat, water, decaffeinated drinks, non-citrus juices, non-mint teas and any soup that is low fat or fat-free.