What foods can you eat when you have acid reflux

Acid reflux happens when the acid travels from the stomach to the esophagus. Most local GI doctors believe that it can cause several complications including heartburn. Listed here are a few foods to include and avoid if you are suffering from GERD.

GERD Diet- What You Should Know?

It is a gastroesophageal reflux disease and is considered a digestive disorder. GERD affects the lower esophageal sphincter. The food pipe is responsible for transferring food from the mouth to the stomach.

People suffering from GERD often deal with stomach acid flowing to the esophagus and causing heartburn, chest disorder, and many more. It is important to understand that acid backflow is quite dangerous in multiple ways. The DNA tissues damage and cause cancer.

Due to this reason, the doctors recommend consuming a GERD-friendly diet since it helps in reducing gastroesophageal reflux. Foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and oatmeal are recommended since these are easy to digest. If you want to get better results, it is better to avoid citrus foods, smoking, and chocolate products.

Things you can eat if you have GERD

Following a GERD diet, does not mean that you have to quit all your favorite foods. All you need to do is make some modifications. Here are some of the healthy food items that you can include.

High fiber food

We all know that vegetables are low in fat content and are useful in reducing acid in your stomach. The few best options are beans, cauliflower, leafy greens, cucumber, etc. You can also include ginger due to its exclusive anti-inflammatory properties.

Thus, you will experience less heartburn as well as gastrointestinal problems. Do not forget to consume apples, pears, bananas with your meals. You will notice a significant change in your acid reflux symptoms.

Lean meat and seafood

Lean meat like fish, turkey, seafood, or low-fat food is an excellent source of healthy protein and fat. Due to this reason, every gastroenterologist in Edmond, OK, recommends consuming these in their daily diet. Also, it is better to consume them in boiled, baked, or frilled form.

Egg whites

If you love eggs, instead of consuming the whole egg, try to eat the white part. Egg yolk is high in fat and can increase the symptom of acid reflux.

Healthy fats

People who are conscious about their often face the issue with fat intake. However, you need to keep in mind that fat is required since it is an essential nutrient.

Foods to avoid

You should avoid certain foods at any cost if you want to get relief from the acid reflux symptoms. Here are a few foods that you should eliminate.

Fried foods

The fat content is high in fried foods, which forces LES to relax. Consequently, the stomach brings more acid to the esophagus. French fries, onion rings, whole milk, sour cream, ice cream, or potato chips work as the trigger factors.

Chocolate

Chocolate is high in methylxanthine, which helps in relaxing the muscles in LES. This, in turn, increases the chances of acid reflux.

Need proper diet assistance for GERD?

There is no food, which is useful in preventing GERD. But, avoiding certain foods can definitely help in reducing acid reflux symptoms. At Digestive Disease Specialists, you get gastroenterologists who can guide you on the right way and provide you GERD-friendly diet. Book your appointment today!

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.

Proper treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) always begins with a visit to a healthcare professional to obtain an accurate diagnosis. It is important to recognize that chronic reflux does not get better on its own. Over-the-counter remedies may provide short-term symptom relief, but can mask an underlying disease if used long-term.

Symptoms of GERD

Just about everyone has had heartburn – that uncomfortable burning feeling in the chest after eating a heavy meal – at some point in their life. But, while occasional heartburn is nothing to worry about, heartburn that occurs more than once a week, becomes more severe, or occurs at night and wakes you from sleep may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). And, a visit to the doctor is advised.

Learn more about symptoms of GERD

Treatment for GERD may include medications advised by your doctor and certain diet and lifestyle changes. A combination of approaches, and some trial and error, may be necessary.

Diet and lifestyle changes often begin with what to avoid. These include things that can trigger or worsen symptoms.

Examples of things to reduce or steer clear of in your diet include:

• High fat foods
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Onions
• Peppermint
• Carbonated beverages
• Alcohol
• Citrus and tomato products

Coming up with the appropriate diet and lifestyle changes involves discovering what works best for you. Not all triggers and treatments will affect all people in the same way. Bear in mind that when you eat may be just as important as what you eat. A particular food that causes reflux when eaten 3–4 hours before bedtime may be harmless earlier in the day.

Changes to Diet

Eating right for GERD does not have to mean cutting out all of your favorite foods. Making just a few, simple modifications to your current diet is often enough…

While no proven “GERD diet” exists, the following foods may help you ease or avoid symptoms.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits. While most likely avoiding citrus fruits and juices, like oranges and lemons, choose from a variety of non-citrus fruits such as bananas, melons, apples, and pears among others.

Vegetables. Select from the wide variety of vegetables. Avoid or reduce sauces or toppings that are high in fat or other irritants like tomatoes or onions.

Lean Proteins

Eggs. These are high in protein. However, if eggs are a problem for you, stick to the whites and stay clear of the higher fat yolks, which are more likely to cause symptoms.

Lean meat. High fat meals and fried foods tend to decrease lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure and delay stomach emptying, increasing the risk of reflux. Choose lean meats that are grilled, poached, broiled, or baked.

Complex Carbohydrates

Oatmeal, whole grain bread, rice, and couscous. All of these are good sources of healthy complex carbs. Whole grains and brown rice add fiber to your diet.

Potatoes and other root vegetables. These are great sources of healthy carbs and digestible fiber, but make sure to avoid adding onion and garlic during preparation, as these are common irritants.

Healthier Fats

Fat is a type of nutrient – high in calories but a necessary part of your diet. Not all fats are created equal. Generally avoid or reduce saturated fats (usually from meat and dairy) and trans fat (in processed foods, margarines, and shortenings). Try replacing them, in moderation, with unsaturated fats from plants or fish. Here are some examples:

Monounsaturated fats. Examples include oils such as olive, sesame, canola, and sunflower; avocados; peanuts and peanut butter; and many nuts and seeds.

Polyunsaturated fats. Examples include oils such as safflower, soybean, corn, flaxseed, and walnut; soybeans and tofu; and fatty fish such as salmon and trout.

Other Helpful Tips

Chew gum. Chewing gum (not spearmint or peppermint, which can relax the LES) increases saliva production and reduces the amount of acid in the esophagus.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is a known irritant that can weaken the LES and trigger reflux symptoms. However, while some people may experience a spike in symptoms after just one drink, others can tolerate moderate amounts. Experiment to see what works for you.

Keep good posture during and after a meal. It’s a good idea to sit up while eating and avoid lying flat for a minimum of two hours after eating a meal. Standing up and walking around after a meal helps encourage gastric juices to flow in the right direction.

Avoid eating immediately before bed. Digestion increases the amount of gastric acid present in the stomach. When you lay down, the ability of the LES to prevent stomach contents from traveling up the esophagus decreases. Occurring together, lots of stomach acid and a reclined position are a recipe for reflux. Timing can vary from individual to individual, but generally, eating a full meal less than three or four hours before bed is not advisable for GERD sufferers.

Eating right for GERD does not have to mean cutting out all of your favorite foods. Making just a few, simple modifications to your current diet is often enough to help reduce the discomforts of GERD. The goal is to create a diet based on a healthy variety of foods that include fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

If you suspect that foods may trigger or worsen your symptoms of GERD, try keeping a one week daily diary.

Published in Digestive Health Matters, Vol. 23, No. 3.