Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a chronic digestive disease that occurs when your esophageal muscle weakens and stomach acid rises up into your esophagus and mouth. The esophagus is the tube that normally acts to transport food from your throat to your stomach. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, chest pain, and a bitter fluid rising up into your mouth. You may also experience coughing and shortness of breath. Many foods may contribute to these symptoms. It is important to consume a well-balanced, nutritious diet that can help relieve and control GERD symptoms.
Eat Low-Fat Foods
The McKinley Health Center suggests that you decrease your total fat intake in order to help relieve and avoid triggering GERD symptoms. Foods that are high in fat can decrease the pressure of your lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, the muscle at the base of your esophagus that normally prevents food from flowing back up. High-fat food can also slow down the rate at which your stomach empties, and think can increase your risk for GERD symptoms. High fat foods include fatty cuts of meats, and commercially prepared cookies, pies, and cakes. Fried foods, such as french fries and onion rings, are also high in fat. You should choose low-fat foods more often. Good choices include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean cuts of poultry and fish.
Avoid Chocolate
You may need to avoid chocolate if you experience GERD. Chocolate contains a substance called methylxanthine, and this has been shown to decrease pressure of your LES. This can increase the risk of acidic contents rising back up into your esophagus. You should monitor your own reaction to chocolate to see if it bothers you.
Smaller Meals
Eating smaller meals of low-fat and healthy foods can be a good choice when you have GERD. If you eat large meals, your stomach fills up quickly and may be unable to handle the quantity of food. This can increase the risk of food and acidic contents rising back up into your esophagus. Consuming smaller meals based on whole grains, low-fat proteins, and fruits and vegetables on a more frequent basis may be helpful.
Common Irritants to Avoid
Certain foods may irritate your lower esophagus and you may need to limit or avoid them. These foods include citrus fruits, such as grapefruits, oranges, and pineapples, which are high in acidity. Other common irritants include coffee, caffeinated soft drinks, and tea. You should monitor your own reaction to these foods. Fruits that are less acidic, such as berries, can be good choices as an alternative to citrus fruits. Good liquids to consume can include water, and unsweetened vegetable juices.
