Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive disorder characterized by the back flow of stomach acid or bile into the esophagus. Symptoms include heartburn and acid reflux. If you experience these symptoms more than twice a week, a doctor will likely diagnose you with GERD, according to MayoClinic.com. Treatment of GERD usually involves medication, but a bland diet may also be recommended to help alleviate symptoms.
Starches and Bread
The bland diet includes soft, low-fiber foods that are easy to chew and digest. Choose breads and cereal made from refined flours to limit fiber intake and ease digestion and tolerance. Starches and bread choices on the bland diet for GERD include white bread and rolls, cream of rice cereal, cream of wheat cereal, white pasta, white rice, saltine crackers and mashed potatoes. Fat can be difficult to digest by people with GERD and can increase symptoms. Limit the use of added fats to your starches, such as butter, margarine, gravy and high-fat sauces.
Fruits
Eating large meals can increase your GERD discomfort. MedlinePlus suggests eating small frequent meals when following a bland diet for GERD. Fruit choices on a bland diet should be soft and low in fiber; examples are canned fruit, applesauce, cooked fruits without the skin and bananas. Mild juices may also be tolerated with GERD and include apple, grape and pear juice. It helps if you drink beverages in between meals to limit intolerance.
Vegetables
Maintaining a healthy weight can also improve GERD symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. Vegetables are low in calories and make healthy food choices for a healthy weight. On a bland diet, choose soft cooked vegetables that are easy to digest, such as green beans, carrots, winter squash and summer squash.
Dairy Foods
Choose low-fat milk and dairy foods on a bland diet, including 1 percent fat milk, low-fat yogurt without seeds and mild cheeses such as Colby or Meunster.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Fried and spicy foods should be avoided on a bland diet for GERD. Choose soft-cooked, fork-tender meats such as poultry, fish and stew meat to improve tolerance. Bland meat substitutes for GERD include creamy peanut butter, eggs and tofu.
Beverages and Soups
In addition to milk and mild juice, beverage choices allowed on the bland diet for GERD include herbal teas, water and decaffeinated beverages. Caffeine should be avoided by GERD sufferers because it stimulates acid secretion and can aggravate symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Choose broth-based soups without any tomatoes on a bland diet, such as chicken noodle or beef barley.
