Often, the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are triggered by certain foods. Most people who suffer from GERD have similar triggers, such as full-fat dairy products, citrus fruits, tomatoes, fatty or fried foods, spicy foods, mint, chocolate, coffee and tea. It's wise to avoid foods that cause the worst symptoms, but it's also an option to modify your diet to include trigger-food alternatives.
Low-Fat Dairy
Avoid full-fat dairy products; instead, choose soy products or low-fat items. Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology, a clinic based in Pennsylvania, recommends that GERD patients try low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt and other dairy items as an alternative to their full-fat counterparts. Immuno Laboratories points out that some patients with severe GERD have food allergies of which they are unaware. By getting tested for allergies and then choosing alternatives to problem items (such as soy milk instead of dairy milk), you may be able to alleviate GERD symptoms.
Caffeine-Free Products
Choose caffeine-free alternatives to coffee or tea, which are common reflux triggers. The caffeine in these beverages acts as a muscle relaxant for the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle, which normally contracts to block partially digested food and bile from re-entering the esophagus.
Mild Spices
Try dishes that are flavored with mild spices. If you enjoy spicy ethnic foods, decrease the amount of hot spices you put in the dishes or order them to be mild instead of spicy. Very spicy foods tend to irritate the lining of the esophagus as well as trigger reflux. You can also try flavoring these foods with a different blend of spices. Keep the core ingredients intact, but use a milder blend for an alternate flavor.
Fruits
Avoid citrus fruits; instead, try apples, berries, melons or bananas. Citrus fruits and tomatoes are highly acidic, but more alkaline foods have a far lesser chance of initiating reflux. Use alkaline fruits instead of their citrus counterparts in salads, smoothies, desserts and other dishes.
Method
Eat several small meals per day instead of just a few big meals. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD) suggests that how you eat may be more significant than what you eat if you have GERD. Large meals can put pressure on the LES muscle, increasing the likelihood of reflux. Small meals are easier to digest and exert less pressure. Eating earlier in the day, when you can remain standing and elevated for at least several hours, is also helpful.
