Persistent acid reflux that occurs more than twice a week is considered GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Severe cases of GERD require medication and sometimes surgery; however, some patients can manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes such as losing weight and eating a healthy diet. Since GERD is a serious condition, you should speak with a health care provider before making any changes to your diet.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
After eating, the food passes through the food tube or esophagus and into the stomach. At the end of the esophagus there is a ring of muscles called the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. The LES opens to allow food to pass through, then should close so that digestive acids in the stomach do not enter the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs when the LES either does not close properly or opens spontaneously, allowing acid to back up. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest, behind the breast bone or in the mid-abdomen. You may also experience a sour or acid taste in the back of the throat and some patients develop a dry cough, asthma symptoms or trouble swallowing. If GERD is left untreated, the acid can cause serous damage to the lining of the esophagus.
Low Calorie Diet
While the exact reasons that some people develop GERD and others do not is not well understood, being overweight or obese increases your risk of having GERD, reports MayoClinic.com. When you eat large amounts of food, the acid content of the stomach increases to digest the food, which means there is more acid that can back up. In addition, a large abdomen can press up against the LES, causing it to open, allowing the acid to regurgitate. If you are overweight, an important step is to cut back on calorie intake to achieve a healthy weight. Since one pound is equal to 3,500 calories, to lose 1 to 2 lbs. per week, you must create a daily deficit of 500 to 1,000 calories.
Low Fat Diet
Since too much fat in the diet can decrease LES pressure and slow stomach emptying, the University of Illinois McKinley Health Center, suggests limiting or eliminating high fat meals. Each case is unique and some patients may need to cut back on fatty foods more then others. In general, fat consumption should make up no more than 25 to 30 percent of your total daily calorie intake, and most of that should come from healthy unsaturated fats. Look for low fat options of dairy products and lean sources of protein. Use olive oil over vegetable oils and look for margarines that are trans-free and either soft or in liquid or spray form when cooking. Go for fresh or lightly cooked vegetables such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, carrots, green beans, peas or cabbage.
Avoid Trigger Foods
When it comes to GERD, there is no one-size-fits-all diet, as each patient has a different sensitivity to foods. It may be helpful to keep a food and symptom journal to help you identify personal trigger foods. Avoiding common trigger foods such as chocolate, peppermint, coffee, tea, colas, alcohol, tomatoes, citrus fruits or juices may help, notes Cleveland Clinic. Go for less acidic fruits such as bananas and apples. Sometimes, it is not the food you eat, but when and how much food you eat. You may find that you can tolerate small amounts of trigger foods if you eat several small meals throughout the day so there is less food in the stomach at one time. You may also get some relief by sitting upright when eating and avoiding lying down for 2 to 4 hours after a meal.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD); May 2007
- MayoClinic.com; GERD Risk Factors; May 23, 2009
- University of Illinois McKinley Health Center: The GERD Diet
- Cleveland Clinic: GERD Diagnosis and Treatment
