If you suffer from Barrett's esophagus, choose foods that are low in fat and avoid foods that trigger gastroesophageal reflux, or heartburn. Barrett's esophagus occurs when squamous cells of the lower esophagus are replaced with intestinal cells, usually due to longstanding gastroesophageal reflux disease. Because these intestinal cells are more resistant to stomach acid, you may feel fewer reflux symptoms. However, the UpToDate website explains that these cells are more likely to develop into cancer cells. Five to 10 percent of those with Barrett's esophagus develop esophageal cancer. Treatment aims at stopping damage to the esophageal lining by eliminating acid reflux through dietary and lifestyle changes, medications and, if needed, surgery.
Fruits and Vegetables
Aim to include five or more servings daily of fruits and vegetables. Look for brightly colored fruits and vegetables that tend to be high in antioxidants, such as blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, apples, melons, peaches, carrots, squash, pumpkin, spinach and greens. Eating more fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Avoid acidic fruits and vegetables -- like tomato products, citrus and pineapple -- if they trigger reflux for you. Also avoid fried vegetables or those with cream sauces.
Grains
Choose any breads and grains that are made with a low fat content, such as whole-grain bread, pasta, rice, pita, bagels, corn tortillas, barley, quinoa and buckwheat. Avoid fried chips and high-fat snack crackers or pastries.
Dairy Products
Choose skim, 1 percent or 2 percent low fat milk and fat-free or low-fat yogurt, cheese or cottage cheese. Avoid whole milk and chocolate milk. Johns Hopkins Pathology explains that lower-fat foods and meals will digest more quickly, so you'll have less reflux.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Choose lean meats, such as fish, skinless white meat chicken or turkey, beef loin or round and pork loin, center cut or ham. Avoid high-fat cold cuts, sausage, bacon, frankfurters and fatty meats. It may be beneficial to increase intake of omega-3 rich sources, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, lake trout, tuna, soy products and walnuts. You can also include any type of legume. Nuts and peanut or other nut butters are high in fat, so it is best to limit them.
Fats and Oils
Limit fats and oils as much as possible, because fat delays gastric emptying and increases reflux. As part of an anti-inflammatory diet to treat Barrett's esophagus, the University of Maryland Medical Center especially recommends eliminating polyunsaturated vegetable oils, such as corn oil, partially hydrogenated fats, and trans fats from margarine and vegetable shortening. When you do use oil, choose omega-3 rich olive oil.
Miscellaneous
For beverages, choose caffeine-free, non-mint herbal teas; juices, except citrus; fat-free or low-fat milk; and water. Caffeine and alcohol both tend to relax the lower esophageal sphincter and increase reflux. Peppermint and spearmint are also potential irritants. Even decaffeinated coffee can irritate the digestive system. While it is best to reduce alcohol, if have a drink, make sure you have food in your stomach. Chocolate can also increase reflux due to its fat and caffeine content.
References
- UpToDate; Barrett's Esophagus; Stuart J. Spechler; August 2010
- Barrettsinfo.com: Frequently Asked Questions About Barrett's Esophagus
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diet; Frank W. Jackson
- Johns Hopkins Pathology; Diet and Barrett's Esophagus; Kerry Dunbar; April 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; September 2009
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Barrett's Epithelium in the Human Lower Esophagus; Samir P. Mehta, et al,; April 2008
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