GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition that occurs when the lower esophagus relaxes too much, allowing stomach acid to back up. GERD causes the sensation commonly known as heartburn, but it can also cause sore throat, hoarseness, bad breath and erosion of tooth enamel. The best way to treat GERD, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is through diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Helpful Foods
Vegetables which are mild in flavor and spice, and low in acidity cause the least gastrointestinal upset for those with GERD. Fill your diet with vegetables like sweet bell peppers, romaine or iceberg lettuce, potatoes, peas, celery and eggplant. Try different colors of bell peppers, as they tend to have slightly different flavors. Enjoy a garden salad or grilled vegetable kabobs, and incorporate different vegetable dishes into your menu by experimenting with new recipes.
If you tend to flavor your vegetables with greasy salad dressings, butter or cream sauces, be careful. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders recommends avoiding high fat foods and sauces, as these can allow the esophagus to relax and reflux to occur. Try seasoning your veggies with fresh herbs or a small amount of olive oil.
Problem Foods
Foods that can cause GERD sufferers the most distress are those that are highly acidic, since these can further increase the acid content of the upper digestive tract. It may be best to avoid tomatoes or tomato-based sauces and citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit. Chocolate can also cause irritation due to its acidity and high fat content.
Spicy foods, such as hot peppers and chili, and spicy seasonings, like Tabasco sauce, can also cause acid reflux. It may help your GERD symptoms to steer clear of these and opt for milder flavors and seasonings.
Other strongly flavored food items, like onions, garlic and peppermints can cause distress. By keeping track of what you eat and what your symptoms are, you will be able to narrow down the foods that irritate your system and the ones you can tolerate.
Considerations
There is no right or wrong diet for individuals with GERD. The University of Illinois McKinely Health Center recommends following a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding only those foods that cause you gastric distress.
The size of your meals is also important. Eating more frequent, smaller meals rather than fewer, larger meals allows less volume to pass through your digestive tract, which can help prevent increased reflux. Also, it may help to remain upright during your meals and for up to three hours afterward.
