GERD Diet: Eating Right For Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

The GERD diet is necessary for those who have gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is a result of the stomach's acid going into the esophagus.

Before we begin to discuss the GERD diet, it is important to know the disease that created the need for this diet in the first place. It all begins with the esophagus, which is the tube that carries the food that you swallow from your mouth to the stomach.

Why Do People Get GERD?

The esophagus is not just an ordinary pipe. At the end of the esophagus, there is a muscle called the sphincter, and this separates the stomach from your esophagus.

An important function of the sphincter is to prevent stomach acid from getting into the esophagus. GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, happen when the sphincter weakens and allows the stomach acid to shoot up the esophagus.

This results in symptoms such as bitter taste in the mouth, heartburn and chest discomfort. There are certain foods that can contribute to the weakening of the sphincter, and this is the reason why the GERD diet is created.

The GERD Diet For You

The GERD diet is not that hard to follow, as some might assume. There are only a few limitations when it comes to eating stuff from the basic food groups, and of course, it meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances or RDA.

One special consideration here is whether the person who will be having the GERD diet can tolerate taking citrus foods for his vitamin C requirement. If he can't, he can just easily take a Vitamin C supplement.

There are other considerations that a GERD diet follower should know in order to reduce the symptoms.

Stop smoking! Nicotine makes the lower esophageal muscle weak, so tobacco in all forms is strictly prohibited.

Start wearing loose clothing. Tight clothes can restrict the air in your chest.

Avoid eating large portions of food, and do not lie down right after meals. Lighter portions are important when it comes to following the diet, especially before bedtime. Drinking milk before going to bed is also prohibited, because milk actually causes nighttime acid reflux.

Maintain the right weight for your body. Being overweight can contribute to the reflux of acid.

Avoid the following foods as much as possible, because they can make acid reflux worse or bring irritation to the lower esophagus:

Whole milk.
Chocolate and oils.
Fast food.
Fatty foods, especially those that are fried.
Food and soups that contain cream.
Caffeine (this includes coffee and soda that contain caffeine).
Citrus fruits.

Food items such as peppermint, spearmint and spicy foods can be eaten by the individual, depending on the level of tolerance he or she has with the item.

Sticking With The GERD Diet

Before beginning your GERD diet plan, you have to make sure that you are determined to go through these instructions and stick with them. This diet is necessary to keep the disease at bay and to prevent it from advancing further. It is also necessary in order to allow the infected organs to heal.

When you are on the GERD diet plan, you must keep a food diary where you will take notes on the foods that you have consumed, and how much you have eaten. Plus, you also have to note the symptoms that you may have experienced when eating a certain kind of food, in order to gauge effectively your level of tolerance with that food item.

Who is in Danger of Getting GERD?

People who are overweight can easily get GERD, especially if they eat the prohibited foods on a regular basis. Persons who have hiatal hernia and scieroderma are also vulnerable to acid reflux. People who vomit frequently and pregnant women should also exercise caution because they too are in danger of developing GERD.

The good thing is, there are delicious and nutritious foods that you can eat which can prevent acid reflux. Some of them are apples, fish, egg whites, peas, green beans, cabbage, carrots, and chicken breast. And the GERD diet actually allows you to have snacks and desserts - you can have all the jellybeans and pretzels that you want.