Gastric acid reflux disease, also known as gastric esophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a condition that occurs when the sphincter valve at the bottom of the esophagus becomes too relaxed and allows stomach acid to flow up into the esophagus. The symptoms can be very uncomfortable. A flare-up of GERD often happens when triggered by certain foods, such as spicy and fatty foods, as well as alcohol. However, many foods are generally safe and should reduce the severity and frequency of acid reflux episodes.
Leafy Greens
Assuming you don't smother your salad in a high-fat dressing or high-fat cheese, a salad with vegetables like romaine lettuce and/or spinach will accomplish a few things, such as provide an easily digestible food that is packed with nutrients and fiber, and reduce your calorie intake. Doctors at the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center say that obesity can contribute to or exacerbate acid reflux problems, and recommend losing weight to help ease symptoms.
Plant Proteins
Because saturated fats are among the leading causes of acid reflux episodes, the nutritional and health experts at Whole Foods recommend getting more of your protein from plant sources, such as beans, lentils and some nuts. Nuts can be high in calories and unsaturated fats,however. Soy products are healthy options for plant-based proteins, too. If you do have meat, make sure you choose very lean cuts of beef.
Skim Milk
The McKinley Health Center doctors and nutritionists suggest skim milk as a safe option for milk drinkers because it has no fat. You can do the same thing with other non-fat dairy options, such as frozen yogurt and non-fat cheese. This could be a good start toward moving from full-fat or even low-fat dairy products to those made with skim milk.
