Acid reflux disease, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a condition that results from stomach acid entering the esophagus. Left untreated, this condition can lead to Barrett's esophagus and can also contribute to esophageal cancer. The diet for acid reflux disease helps to control the symptoms of acid reflux and prevent more serious medical conditions from developing.
Approved Foods
The diet for acid reflux disease is designed to minimize the occurrence of acid reflux and the esophagus from damage. Foods on this diet are low in fat and do not irritate the esophagus. Lean proteins can help the lower esophageal sphincter close, preventing the contents of the stomach from moving back up into the esophagus. Examples of lean proteins include lean beef, poultry cooked without the skin and cooked fish. These foods should be baked, grilled or broiled to avoid adding fat and calories to meals.
Excluded Foods
Foods that are excluded from the diet for acid reflux disease are high in fat or are known irritants of the esophagus. Fatty foods may cause the lower esophageal sphincter to open and allow stomach acid to move into the esophagus. Examples of fatty foods to avoid include poultry with the skin, fatty cuts of meat, processed meat, cakes, cookies, pies, butter, lard and some cooking oils. Trigger foods are foods that can cause flareups of acid reflux disease. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, fried foods, mint, chocolate, coffee and carbonated beverages.
Portion Control
Portion control is a necessary element of the diet for acid reflux disease. Eating a large meal puts too much pressure on the stomach, which can cause its contents to back up into the esophagus. Eat several small meals each day instead of just two large meals. Read food labels carefully to determine how much food is in one serving size. When ordering a meal at a restaurant, order the appetizer portion of a dish or take half of the entree home for another meal. Reducing portion control can also help with weight loss, which is another way to control acid reflux disease.
Food Elimination
Some people may experience flareups of acid reflux disease even if they avoid known trigger foods. In order to determine which foods cause flareups, foods must be eliminated from the diet at once. After avoiding these foods for several days, they can be added back to the diet one at a time. If acid reflux disease symptoms do not occur after an item has been added to the diet, then it is most likely not a trigger food. If symptoms do occur, then that food is a trigger food and should be avoided.
