Also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD is a condition where stomach acid or digestive juices flow back up your esophagus. This material contains acid, which can cause painful burning, stomach upset, chest pain, cough, hoarseness or a sour taste in the mouth. In fact, GERD symptoms can be so severe, they often are mistaken for a heart attack. Because consuming certain foods can trigger GERD symptoms, it is best to follow a diet that reduces the incidence of GERD.
Function
When working properly, the esophagus' muscular tube stays closed, only allowing food or drink to the stomach. A person with GERD does not have an esophagus that works properly. This means factors such as muscle weakness, smoking, obesity and even eating certain foods can cause the esophagus to weaken. For these reasons, an anti-GERD diet focuses not only avoiding foods that cause the esophagus to weaken; it also focuses on consuming healthy foods that do not result in weight gain.
Considerations
Fatty foods, fried foods, peppermint or other mint varieties, whole milk, oils, chocolate, cream-based soups and convenience foods often aggravate GERD symptoms and should be avoided whenever possible. Other foods may cause the lower esophagus to become inflamed, but do not necessarily affect all those with GERD. These include citrus fruits, coffee, sodas, tea and drinks that contain caffeine. Other foods that may be difficult to eat include spicy foods or foods that are highly acidic, such as corn, cranberries or plums.
Habits
An anti-GERD diet also involves changing the portions or the way you eat. For example, chewing gum or hard candy should be avoided because this allows air into the stomach, which can lead to reflux. Instead of eating large meal portions, change your portion sizes into smaller servings as this will reduce the overall air taken in while eating. Additionally, you should avoid lying down immediately after eating, which may make it necessary to avoid eating very late at night.
Solution
Instead of eating the foods that may exacerbate GERD, incorporate the following foods into your daily diet to reduce symptoms and maintain a healthy weight: low-fat milk and milk products; vegetables (with the exception of tomatoes); fruits, such as apples, berries, melons, peaches or pears; low-fat or whole-grain breads; lean meats; water; decaffeinated tea and fat-free soups. Your daily cholesterol intake should be less than 300 milligrams, and sodium should be limited to 2,400 milligrams or less per day.
Warning
Different foods may worsen GERD symptoms, and for this reason it's very important to closely observe yourself for symptoms and refrain from eating this food or dishes containing it. Those with GERD should practice avoidance of foods that exacerbate symptoms, as eating these foods can not only cause symptoms right away--they may also can weaken the esophagus. This can make your next GERD episode even more pronounced.
