Jeffrey Salazar
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic acid reflux condition that affects about 20% of the population. It is caused by the relaxation of the esophageal sphincter, a muscular tube that usually blocks food from coming back up into the esophagus. While medication and surgery can help treat GERD, dietary changes are the first line of therapy and treatment for the condition. This involves avoiding foods that trigger acid reflux and eating foods that prevent it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Reduce discomfort in the esophagus caused by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) |
| Foods to eat | Water-based foods such as celery, cucumber, and lettuce, low-fat yogurt, lean meat, egg whites, vegetables, bananas, cauliflower, and various melons |
| Foods to avoid | Fatty and fried foods, carbonated beverages, large meals, late-night eating, acidic foods, and highly processed foods |
| Lifestyle changes | Remain upright for at least 2 hours after eating, wear loose clothing, and consult a doctor or dietitian for specific recommendations |
Explore related products
Foods to avoid
Diet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms and is the first line of therapy used for people with GERD. While there is no single diet to prevent all symptoms of GERD, certain foods can help you avoid acid reflux.
Some people also find that ginger, peppermint products, lemon water, and apple cider vinegar trigger their acid reflux, although many people swear by these remedies. It is important to note that drinking apple cider vinegar at full concentration can irritate the oesophagus.
Processed foods are known to increase symptoms of GERD and delay digestion, as they are often more difficult for the body to digest. These include foods with artificial food colours, artificial sweeteners, MSG, or high-fructose corn syrup.
Hunger Pangs: Dieting and the Hunger Factor
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Foods to eat
Diet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms and is the first line of therapy used for people with GERD. While there is no single diet to prevent all symptoms of GERD, certain foods may ease symptoms in some people.
People with GERD are often advised to eat a low-fat diet. Fatty, greasy, and fried foods cause the stomach to produce more acid and linger longer in the stomach, making it more likely that stomach acid leaks back up into the oesophagus, causing uncomfortable GERD symptoms. Lean meat is a great substitute for fattier meats such as chicken, turkey, and seafood. Non-fat or low-fat milk and yoghurt can also help provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. Low-fat yoghurt also provides probiotics, which help keep a healthy balance between good and harmful bacteria.
Water-based foods have been shown to limit symptoms of GERD, with the caveat that they must also be low in acidity. These can include celery, cucumber, and lettuce. These foods act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and stomach acid. Bananas, cauliflower, and various melons are also less likely to trigger stomach acid.
Ginger has medicinal properties and is one of the best digestive aids due to its alkaline and anti-inflammatory properties. It encourages gastric emptying, helping food move on through the gastrointestinal tract beyond the stomach. However, ginger can trigger heartburn in some people.
Oatmeal can help absorb stomach acid so that it doesn't return to the oesophagus. It is recommended to choose complex forms of fibre over simple carbs.
Calorie-Burning Strategies for a 1200-Calorie Diet Plan
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lifestyle changes
If you have GERD, certain foods can help you avoid acid reflux. Vegetables are naturally low in fat and sugar. Lean meat, oatmeal, egg whites, and low-fat yogurt are good choices if you have acid reflux. Low-fat yogurt also provides probiotics, which help keep a healthy balance between good and harmful bacteria. Bananas, cauliflower, and various melons are alkaline-heavy foods that can improve the balance of your diet and soothe symptoms.
Some foods can trigger acid reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter (valve) or by slowing the stomach from emptying. Fatty, greasy, and fried foods cause your stomach to produce more acid and linger longer in the stomach, making it more likely that stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus. Acidic foods, carbonated beverages, large meals, and late-night eating can also have this effect. Processed foods are known to increase symptoms of GERD and delay digestion, as they are often more difficult for your body to digest.
To identify your individual triggers, keep a food diary for at least a week. A doctor or dietitian can advise you in more detail on what to eat and what to avoid, and they can help you make a plan.
Candida Diet: Safe or Harmful to Your Organs?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Dietary tips
Diet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms and is the first line of therapy used for people with GERD. While there is no single diet that can prevent all symptoms of GERD, certain foods may ease symptoms in some people.
Foods to eat
When looking at what to eat, try to incorporate foods that are alkaline (the opposite of acidic) to help neutralise stomach acid. Dairy products are a reliable source of alkaline foods. Non-fat milk, for example, can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. Low-fat yoghurt has the same soothing qualities and also provides probiotics (good bacteria that enhance digestion).
Lean meats are a good choice as they are low in fat and high in protein. Vegetables are also naturally low in fat and sugar. Try celery, cucumber, lettuce, bananas, cauliflower and various melons. Oatmeal can help absorb stomach acid so that it doesn't return to the oesophagus. Ginger is useful for some people, as it has medicinal properties and can help food move on through the gastrointestinal tract beyond the stomach. You can add grated or sliced ginger root to recipes or smoothies, or drink ginger tea to ease symptoms.
Foods to avoid
Fatty and fried foods can cause your stomach to produce more acid and linger longer in the stomach, making it more likely that acid will leak back up into the oesophagus. Acidic foods can also trigger symptoms by relaxing the lower oesophageal sphincter. Carbonated beverages such as sodas and seltzers can cause pressure in the stomach that forces the lower oesophageal sphincter open. Large meals and late-night eating can also have this effect. Processed foods are known to increase symptoms of GERD and delay digestion, as they are often more difficult for your body to digest.
Other tips
If you experience acid reflux, try to remain upright for at least 2 hours after eating. Water can help clear acid reflux from your oesophagus, but try not to drink a lot during meals as it can fill up your stomach and put pressure on the oesophageal valve.
HCG Diet: Strategies for Managing Hunger and Starvation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Triggering foods
Diet plays a major role in controlling acid reflux symptoms and is the first line of therapy used for people with GERD. While frequent heartburn is the most common GERD symptom, some people may experience other signs or symptoms that are related to GERD or could be potential signs of cancer. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor if you have any severe or long-lasting symptoms.
Foods that trigger acid reflux cause the esophageal sphincter to relax and delay the digestive process, letting food sit in the stomach longer. Fatty and fried foods, for example, linger in the stomach for longer, making it more likely that stomach acid leaks back up into the esophagus, causing uncomfortable GERD symptoms. Fatty, greasy foods also cause your stomach to produce more acid.
Carbonated beverages such as sodas and seltzers can cause distention (pressure) in the stomach that forces the lower esophageal sphincter open. Large meals and late-night eating can also have this effect. Consuming highly acidic foods can also trigger GERD symptoms. Processed foods are known to increase symptoms of GERD and delay digestion, as they are often more difficult for the body to digest.
Foods that are likely to trigger reflux and heartburn include:
- Tomatoes and citrus fruits
- Egg yolks
- Butter
- Spices
- Lemon
- Ketchup
- Salad dressings
Where Did Diet Cherry Pepsi Go?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A GERD diet is used to help reduce discomfort in the oesophagus caused by acid reflux. It is recommended to eat a low-fat diet, as fatty, greasy foods cause the stomach to produce more acid.
Acidic and fatty foods can trigger symptoms by relaxing the lower oesophageal sphincter or by slowing down the rate at which the stomach empties. Fried foods, carbonated beverages, large meals and late-night eating can also have this effect.
Water-based foods such as celery, cucumber and lettuce have been shown to limit symptoms of GERD. Non-fat milk, low-fat yoghurt, lean meats, egg whites, vegetables, bananas, cauliflower and various melons are also good choices. Ginger is useful for some people but may worsen symptoms in others.
GERD is a chronic acid reflux condition diagnosed by a doctor. It is caused by the oesophageal sphincter relaxing and allowing food to push upward through the loosened opening, causing acid reflux.
Heartburn, chest discomfort, a bitter taste in the mouth, coughing, hoarseness and shortness of breath are all symptoms of GERD.
