GERD Diet – Foods To Eat And Avoid To Reduce Acid Reflux Or Heartburn

Imagine you are at a friend’s wedding. The food is so inviting that you end up overeating. After a few minutes, your chest starts burning, and this keeps amplifying with every passing second. Drinking gallons of water doesn’t douse the fire either.

Heartburn is a typical symptom of GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. It is a condition that occurs when the contents of your stomach flow back into the esophagus. About 20% of adults in the West are affected by GERD (1). According to doctors, one of the best ways to prevent and manage GERD is to change your diet and lifestyle. Read on to know everything about GERD and stop it from being a recurring nuisance. Swipe up!

Highlights Of The Article

1. What Causes GERD?
2. GERD Symptoms
3. Foods To Eat
4. Foods To Avoid
5. Diet And Lifestyle Strategy To Reduce The Symptoms Of GERD
6. GERD Trigger Foods
7. Is There A Specific Diet For GERD?

What Causes GERD?

GERD or acid reflux is caused when the food and digestive juices in your stomach flow back into the esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to the stomach). The lower esophageal sphincter or LES (much like the valve of a tap) closes to prevent the backflow of the stomach contents into the esophagus.

But a weak or damaged LES fails to do so. The stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, irritating the lining of the esophagus, thereby causing heartburn (2).

But not all heartburn is severe. The severity of acid reflux or GERD depends on the amount of stomach content that flows back, the condition of your LES, and the neutralizing effect of the saliva.

GERD is also caused due to a hiatal hernia. The hiatus is a small opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest and the abdominal cavity. The esophagus runs through the hiatus. Sudden physical exertion, coughing, and vomiting may cause a small part of the stomach to move up into the chest through the hiatus, leading to a hiatal hernia (3).

Apart from heartburn, there are other symptoms of acid reflux or GERD that you should be aware of.

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GERD Symptoms

• Laryngitis
• Chronic dry cough
• Bad breath
• Earache
• Chest pain
• Discomfort
• Feeling a lump in your throat
• Asthma
• Hoarseness
• A sudden increase of saliva

Note:

When you experience one or more than one of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

The long-term treatment of acid reflux or GERD involves taking care of your diet and lifestyle. Here’s a list of foods that will help subdue the symptoms.

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Foods To Eat

• Veggies – Vegetables are high in dietary fiber and mostly leave an alkaline metabolic residue that helps neutralize the acidity. Consume broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, kale, carrot, potato, cucumber, and green beans.
• Fruits – Fruits are rich in fiber, vitamins, fruit sugar, and minerals. Consume non-citrus fruits like banana, watermelon, muskmelon, and honeydew melon.
• Lean Protein – High saturated fats in your food can also cause acid reflux. Therefore, it is best that you consume lean protein sources like fish, skinless chicken breast, mushroom, egg whites, turkey, and shrimp.
• Dietary Fiber – Dietary fiber-rich foods like oatmeal, whole grain bread, buckwheat, barley, and whole grain rice help absorb the acid.
• Probiotics – Yogurt is the best source of probiotics, especially if you are suffering from acid reflux or GERD. Consume a small cup of fat-free yogurt with a pinch of salt. You can also drink a smoothie made of ½ cup yogurt, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and ¼ cup water.
• Prebiotics – Green banana, apple, leeks, and Jerusalem artichokes are best to consume if you suffer from GERD regularly.
• Natural Remedies – Ginger, licorice, and slippery elm bark are useful for reducing GERD symptoms along with nausea. These help improve gastric emptying and coat the esophageal lining with mucilage, thereby preventing further irritation of the esophageal lining.
• Dairy – It is best to consume low-fat milk and yogurt as whole-fat milk may aggravate the symptoms.
• Soups – Consume clear soups with lean meat and veggies. Avoid using cream or butter.
• Dessert – Frozen yogurt, popsicles, low-fat cookies, and cakes.
• Beverages – Herbal teas, water, freshly pressed and strained fruit juices, except citrus fruits.

What is it that you have to avoid consuming? Here’s a list – take a look.

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Foods To Avoid

Avoid consuming the following:

• Citrus fruits
• Caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and energy drinks
• Deep-fried foods like fries and fried chicken
• Fatty foods like cream, cheese, full-fat milk, butter, ghee, too much oil full-fat yogurt, hot chocolate, and chocolate milk
• Spicy foods
• Pork, beef, and chicken with skin
• Cereals with whole milk
• Cream soups
• Lasagne
• Coffee
• Alcohol
• Carbonated beverages
• Packaged fruit juices and citrus fruit juices
• Tomatoes, ketchup, and tomato-based sauces
• Peppermint
• Chocolate
• Garlic
• Bacon
• Cream cheese
• Lard

Apart from understanding what to eat and avoid, you also have to take care of your lifestyle. Scroll down to take a look at the “to-do” list.

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Diet And Lifestyle Strategy To Reduce The Symptoms Of GERD

• Stop smoking. The nicotine tends to weaken the LES, making you more prone to acid reflux.
• Avoid eating at least 3 hours before hitting the bed.
• Practice portion control and eat frequently.
• Reduce weight if you are overweight or obese.
• Do not chew gum.
• Do not bend over and eat.
• Close your mouth and chew slowly.
• Avoid greasy foods.
• Stay hydrated.
• Practice yoga.
• Consult your doctor before buying any over-the-counter medicines.
• Raise the head of your bed to at least 4 inches before going to sleep.
• Avoid trigger foods.

What are “trigger foods?” Well, here’s what you’ve got to know.

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GERD Trigger Foods

GERD trigger foods, as the name suggests, trigger a new episode of acid reflux. But the “trigger foods” vary from person to person. To know which foods don’t suit you, keep a food journal for a week. Check what, how much, and when you ate for a week. Record how you felt and if any of the foods you ate caused acid reflux.

So, is there a specific diet for GERD? Let’s find out!

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Is There A Specific Diet For GERD?

No, there is no specific diet for GERD. But the foods recommended in the foods to eat list will help you reduce fat, lower cholesterol, and improve bowel movement. You must talk to your doctor to know which diet is best for you.

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Conclusion

GERD is a serious condition and may lead to other health complications if it remains unattended. If you suffer from acid reflux regularly, it is best that you talk to your doctor, take medicines, and improve your diet and lifestyle. You will see great results and never miss out on the happy times because of the annoying heartburn. Get help NOW!

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Reviewer Author

Temple StewartRD, LDN

   

Temple Stewart is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Personal Trainer in St. Petersburg, FL. She sees clients all over the world through virtual nutrition services. Her passion is to teach her clients how to experience a healthier life by using effective nutrition education and counseling.

Read full bio of Temple Stewart

Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

Read full bio of Charushila Biswas