Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a digestive condition that occurs when the stomach's acid and bile move up into the esophagus. The acid irritates and burns the esophagus, causing pain that can be so severe it may feel like a heart attack. Symptoms of esophageal reflux can interfere with your daily life, so knowing what to eat and what to avoid is helpful in order to relieve your discomfort and prevent it from recurring.
Symptoms
Symptoms of reflux disease vary from person to person, but often include a burning sensation in the chest and upper abdomen, pain in the throat area, difficulty swallowing, dry coughing, and hoarseness. Some people also experience regurgitation of food and acid, or acid reflux.
Treatment
If you present some of the symptoms of GERD, your physician will probably recommend that you take some sort of medication. The most common medications for this disease are those that neutralize the acid in the stomach, those that reduce acid production, and those that block acid production completely. In severe cases, your doctor might recommend surgery to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter. Most commonly, though, your physician will recommend that you visit a dietitian so that you can start making some dietary and lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, and eating or avoiding certain foods to help you reduce some of the symptoms.
What to Eat
The American Dietetic Association, or ADA, recommends that GERD patients choose milk products that are lower in fat. Also, when choosing meats, try to eat meat, poultry or fish that is tender, well-cooked and lean. If you want a non-animal protein, try eating eggs or dried beans or peas. In terms of grains, the ADA recommends that you eat any grain as long as it is prepared without any added fat, and the same goes for fruits and vegetables. Finally, try to keep your fat and oil intake to 8 tsp. or less per day.
What to Avoid
According to the American Dietetic Association, you should avoid things like peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can further irritate the lining of your esophagus. Also, avoid spicy foods and high-fat foods such as fried meats, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, pastries and other high-fat desserts. If a particular fruit or vegetable is causing you discomfort, try to limit or avoid eating it as well. One way to determine this is to keep a food journal and write down if a certain food is well tolerated or causes you discomfort.
Other Helpful Tips
Try to maintain a healthy weight for your height. When you are overweight, the extra weight puts pressure around your abdominal area, further worsening your symptoms. Also, avoid using tight-fitting clothes, as these too can put pressure on your abdomen and lower esophageal sphincter. Try to avoid lying down until three hours have passed since your last meal. Gravity is your friend. Finally, if your symptoms are really discomforting at night, you might want to elevate the head of your bed as well. Finally, if you smoke, try to quit. Smoking affects the ability of the esophageal sphincter to close properly.
