GERD is a condition that affects your gastrointestinal tract and can cause uncomfortable and painful symptoms including heartburn. GERD is usually influenced by the foods you eat. Therefore, it is important to follow a diet that prevents illness and eliminates foods that can trigger GERD symptoms.
What is GERD?
GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is a chronic condition that affects the stomach and esophagus. GERD occurs when the acid in your stomach flows into your esophagus. This causes an irritation in the lining of the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, sore throat and acid reflux.
Heartburn
One of the main symptoms of GERD is heartburn. Heartburn occurs when the contents of the stomach reach the esophagus and cause a burning sensation. This feeling can spread through the throat and even up to the mouth. Following a good GERD diet can help alleviate your heartburn.
Considerations
The GERD diet varies from person to person. The foods that cause the worst symptoms for you may not have the same effect on someone else. Therefore, it is important to find out which foods are best for you and adjust your diet accordingly.
The GERD Diet
When following the GERD diet, you want to try to eliminate foods that will trigger acid reflux. While it may take time to figure out which foods are good or bad for you, there are certain guidelines that can help you form a healthy diet. Try eating a variety of vegetables and non-acidic fruits, such as carrots, beans, baked potatoes, cabbage and broccoli, as well as bananas and apples. Most meats are acceptable, though you should try to eat lean meats such as chicken or fish. Cheeses, specifically cream cheese, feta or goat cheese can be good GERD diet foods. As far as beverages, avoid carbonated drinks as much as possible. Try substituting these drinks for water, which will not cause GERD symptoms.
Foods to Avoid
While the GERD diet varies, there are certain foods that commonly trigger pain and illness in most GERD patients. Try to avoid these foods as much as possible. Fried and spicy foods, such as chicken nuggets, French fries and buffalo wings, are generally considered bad if you have GERD. It is important also to limit foods that have acid in them, such as certain fruits and fruit juices. Lemons, grapefruits, oranges, cranberries, tomatoes and their respective juices can all trigger GERD symptoms.
