Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive disease. GERD occurs when stomach acid or, occasionally, stomach content, flows back into your esophagus because your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is not closing as it should. The backwash (reflux) irritates the lining of your esophagus and causes GERD. Both acid reflux and heartburn are common digestive conditions that many people experience from time to time. When these signs and symptoms occur at least twice each week or interfere with your daily life, you may have GERD.
Avoid fatty and spicy foods.
In small amounts, you might be able to continue eating them for a treat, but as a regular part of your diet, you need to cut them out.
- Fried foods, particularly deep-fried
- Foods with lots of chiles or hot peppers
- Creamy, buttery, or dairy-heavy foods
Stay away from alcohol and caffeine.
Neither substance is easy for your body to process. They also tend to dry out your mouth, which is bad for saliva production. Saliva helps your body break down and process your food.[
- You can have a drink of alcohol or coffee occasionally, but keep track of how you feel afterward — if it exacerbates your symptoms you should probably try to never drink either.
Steer clear of acidic foods.
Acid reflux and heartburn can both be exacerbated by the acid in your diet. Unfortunately, they are common in many diets. Some of the common acidic foods to avoid are:[
- Citrus fruits
- Tomatoes
- Cocoa products (chocolate-based)
- Strawberries, although not super acidic, also exacerbate GERD symptoms.
Choose healthy foods. A varied diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats will help keep GERD at bay. Check the website below for help planning healthy meals.[ Some good choices include:
- Berries
- Apples
- Leafy greens
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower
- Whole grains like oatmeal, farro, quinoa, wild rice
- Lean meats like loin cuts and poultry
- Fish
Source: MayoClinic
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