Citrus fruits, fibrous vegetables, spicy foods, oils, fats, dairy products, chocolate, tea, coffee and a host of other food and drink products all have the potential to negatively affect people with gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Eating even a small amount of one trigger food can stimulate heartburn or reflux, so it's important to be aware of healthy foods that are not likely to compromise the digestive system.
Trigger Foods
GERD is a more severe form of GER, or gastroesophageal reflux, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. When the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle that acts as a barrier between the stomach and esophagus, relaxes or creates an opening, a backflow of stomach acid and food may re-enter the esophagus. Certain trigger foods, including citrus fruits, creamed vegetables and fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower or cabbage, are more likely to relax the LES muscle and cause reflux.
Safe Fruits
Because of their high acid content, citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes and grapefruits are not ideal for most people with GERD. Other highly acidic fruits, such as pineapple, may also aggravate reflux symptoms. But most noncitrus fruits are safe to eat and are not likely to complicate the condition. Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology Clinic of Pennsylvania recommends that GERD patients try eating apples, bananas, berries, melons and stone fruits such as peaches and plums.
Safe Vegetables
The Pediatric/Adolescent Gastroesophageal Reflux Association notes that "gassy foods" and particularly gassy vegetables have the potential to make reflux or heartburn more severe for many patients, especially children and young adults. The association suggests avoiding vegetables such as turnips, Brussels sprouts, and kale; instead, choose vegetables such as iceberg or romaine lettuce, sweet bell peppers, potatoes, eggplant, squash, peas and celery.
Low Calorie Foods
Another issue that can increase the severity of GERD is obesity. For that reason, the Mayo Clinic recommends that GERD patients attempt to maintain a healthy weight and lose weight if necessary. The Clinic suggests choosing healthy, low-calorie fruits and vegetables as a natural step to help achieve weight loss and lessen incidences of reflux. Substitute fatty, high-calorie snacks and meals with alternatives that feature "safe" fruits and vegetables, such as a fruit salad medley, fruit kebabs with low-fat yogurt dip or fresh sliced vegetables with a light dip or salad dressing.
Considerations
Even if GERD sufferers create a diet that consists entirely of "safe" foods and avoid all reflux triggers, there is no guarantee that the condition will improve. In addition to forming a reasonable diet, patients should refrain from lying down after meals, wearing tight clothing, smoking and eating very large meals.
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