Your esophagus is a tube that transports food from your throat to your stomach. The lower part of your esophagus has a muscle around it. This muscle is meant to keep your esophagus closed. If the muscle weakens, acid from your stomach can back up into your esophagus, causing heart burn. This condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. If reflux occurs frequently, your esophagus may become inflamed, according to Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology. An inflammation of your esophagus is referred to as esophagitis. Proper dietary habits can help prevent reflux esophagitis. Dietary changes can also help reduce the incidence of reflux.
Eating to Reduce Symptoms
Since small meals digest more easily, you should consume small, frequent portions of food and avoid overeating. Eat a light, low-fat supper a few hours before you go to bed. Doing these things can help your esophagus heal and eliminate heartburn. Avoid drinking large amounts of liquid to reduce your stomach acid reflux, according to Digestive Health Physicians. It's best for you not to eat or drink before going to bed.
Foods to Include
Since fat takes longer to digest, follow a low-fat diet for reflux esophagitis ulcers. Your diet should include low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and cheeses, fruits such as apples, pears, peaches, berries, bananas and melons, all fresh vegetables other than tomatoes, loin or round cuts of meat, skinless chicken, fish, all animal fats and vegetable oils. Your dessert choices should include fresh fruit, gelatin, fat-free puddings and fat-free or low-fat cookies.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid alcohol, carbonated beverages, peppermint, spearmint, chocolate, animal fats, oils, onions, fast foods, fatty and fried foods, whole milk and anything prepared with cream. You may also need to avoid all caffeinated beverages. These items tend to aggravate gastroesophageal reflux.
Considerations
If you are overweight, weight loss may decrease your incidence of reflux. You can lose weight by following a low-fat diet and eating small portions spread throughout the day. Additional foods that irritate esophagitis include spicy foods and citrus fruits and juices, such as orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, tomato and pineapple, according to McKinley Health Center.
