Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a chronic digestive illness that occurs when acid in the stomach backs up through the esophagus. The acid irritates the lining of the esophagus and creates symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain and sore throat. There are a variety of conditions that can cause GERD as well as diet treatments that can help relieve the symptoms.
Weight
According to the Mayo Clinic, maintaining a healthy weight is an important treatment tool for GERD. Excess weight puts pressure on the stomach and can force undigested food and acid up through the esophagus. They recommend losing weight if the patient is obese, maintaining a level weight loss of about one to two pounds per week.
Avoidance
Treatment for GERD is often more about foods that should be avoided rather than those that can help. People who are prone to acid reflux disease should avoid fried and fatty foods, chocolate, caffeine, spices and mint. Foods high in fat also contribute to GERD symptoms, report doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Triggers
Citrus fruits and food high in acidity, such as tomatoes, can be triggers for GERD symptoms. If a particular food always induces a bout of reflux or heartburn, then that food also should be avoided. Everyone is different, and patients should take responsibility for identifying their own GERD triggers and not consume that particular dish.
Timing
Lying down after eating can be another source of GERD symptoms that's easily avoided. Mayo Clinic doctors recommend waiting at least two to three hours after eating before lying down. Doctors at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report that while smaller portions will help, patients with GERD should wait two to three hours between eating each small meal. The size of meals and portions plays a role in the recurrence of GERD symptoms as well. The Foundation for Better Health Care recommends eating smaller meals and decreasing portion size to give the stomach more time and space to properly digest the food.
Low-Carb
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health report that GERD symptoms were significantly reduced in patients who ate a strict low-carbohydrate diet. Obese patients with GERD were placed on restrictive diets that provided about 20 grams of carbohydrates per day. Whole grains, pasta, potatoes and rice were limited. Patients reported reduced symptoms within two weeks.
