Foods To Eat To Avoid Gerd

GERD, or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when the acid in your stomach flows back into the esophagus if the lower esophageal sphincter is compromised. The lower esophagus sphincter is a muscle that prevents the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus and usually stays tightly closed to only allow food and liquid through to the stomach. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn acid reflux. Both of these are common digestive conditions that most people experience occasionally. However, when they occur more than twice a week, doctors term the condition GERD. Certain foods can trigger the symptoms of GERD.

Foods That Aggravate GERD

High fat meals, fried foods and fast foods tend to decrease the lower esophageal sphincter pressure and slow stomach emptying to increasing the risk of GERD symptoms. Creamed foods or soups are also high in fat and may contribute to the lessening of the lower esophageal sphincter pressure, thereby, encouraging acid to reflux into the esophagus. Chocolate and spicy foods are trigger foods that may or may not aggravate GERD symptoms, depending on the individual; you may want to experiment with these foods yourself.

Foods That Irritate an Inflamed Lower Esophagus

If you already have an inflamed esophagus avoid citrus fruits and their juices such as grapefruits, oranges, pineapples and tomatoes. You should avoid both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee as they may further irritate your esophagus. You should avoid carbonated beverages in general, especially those that are caffeinated when you experience heartburn. Mint is another trigger food that may increase the heartburn sensation in your esophagus.

Lifestyle Habits

Wearing tight fit clothing, smoking cigarettes, and excessive alcohol consumption also increase the occurrence of GERD. According to the National Institute of Health, risk factors for GERD include pregnancy and hiatal hernia, whereby part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm; it is important to avoid trigger foods that may exacerbate GERD if you have these conditions. Lying down directly after a meal is not the best idea if you experience GERD. It is wise to wait 2 to 3 hours after eating before lying down or going to bed. When you do lie down, elevate the head of the bed to about 6 to 9 inches with a wedge or pillows to allow gravity to help keep the acid inside your stomach.

Your Weight May Be a Risk Factor for GERD

Being overweight or obese is a major risk to increase reflux symptoms. Excess pounds put pressure on your abdomen, pushing up the stomach and allowing acid to flow into your esophagus. If you are healthy, eat a balanced diet to maintain your weight. Large meals increase the pressure in the stomach and may aggravate reflux. If you are overweight or obese, work to lose up to 1 to 2 pounds a week. Always consult your doctor and/or dietitian to help devise a reasonable goal and healthy weight loss plan before beginning any new regimen. Following a GERD diet to avoid trigger foods that aggravate GERD can improve its symptoms and help avoid its complications such as esophageal ulcers or esophagitis.