GERD Foods To Avoid

GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, also called Acid Reflux is one of those conditions that cause a lot of discomfort to the one who suffers from it. The food you eat comes up into your food pipe and you can taste it in your throat and mouth and you could also suffer from a burning sensation because of the relaxed muscles letting the acid go up from the stomach. GERD causes can be due to so many factors – from eating wrong to illness to a lot of strong medication to age. In normal circumstances, the valve at the entrance of the stomach shuts tight once the food goes in but when you suffer from GERD, the food slips back the way it came. GERD treatment would typically include some medication for the muscles as well as a list of foods that you would do well to avoid. A GERD diet would have a list of GERD foods to avoid and if you can follow it strictly, you will start feeling better.

The GERD diet

Also known as the acid reflux diet and it has a list of heartburn foods avoid them if you can. These foods tend to relax the stomach muscles and could be the cause of the acid reflux and heartburn. The list of GERD foods to avoid would first and foremost be all fatty meats and oily foods as well as all drinks containing caffeine. You’ll have to learn to do without your morning java as well as any aerated drinks that you might crave for through the day.

It goes without saying that alcohol (and let’s add cigarettes too though that’s neither food nor drink) is taboo. You would also do well to avoid difficult-to-digest foods like cream, butter, rich sauces and dressings, dairy products made from whole cream milk and chocolate.

Other GERD causes could come from foods that have a lot of spice added to them – that includes all types of pepper as well as all tomato products. No tomato ketchup on the side! Also to be avoided are all citrus fruits and juice as well as everything that has vinegar in it. 

GERD food guidelines

If you follow the diet strictly and leave out all these foods you could still have a problem if you don’t follow a few GERD food restrictions. Like eating early at night and maybe going for a short walk before getting into bed. Like eating many more smaller meals than a couple of large ones. Like not drinking water or any liquid with your meals. Like adding an extra pillow under your head so you sleep easier.

Sometimes it’s one or a few foods that could irritate your stomach even though they might be perfectly suited to others. You might want to jot down your diet every day so you can pinpoint the culprit – and then avoid it. For some, foods as ubiquitous as garlic and onion can trigger a GERD attack. You need to watch your diet closely if you suffer from this problem.