The best remedy to GERD is that watch what you eat immediately you start experiencing symptoms. Establishing a proper GERD diet will work to effectively manage your situation and bring back your stomach to normalcy. The primary objective in response to GERD is to get rid of foods that trigger the condition and replace them with suitable alternatives to manage the situation. Stomach acid flowing back into your oesophagus is what is commonly referred to as acid reflux. Some foods and beverages are known for accelerating the situation while others are less likely to prompt such.
Even with the search for a diet that will help you with your GERD condition, it is important to note that there isn’t a specific choice of foods that works for all people. We all respond to the foods we eat differently and that explains why it is important to first determine the cause of your condition. Some foods will trigger this burning sensation while others will not. Understanding the two groups is the first step towards your healing. However, there are general categories of foods that you must keep off completely once you realize you have acid reflux.
Categories of Foods to Leave Immediately
As you prepare to find out the food options that you got, certain foods should not feature in your diet with immediate effect. Taking that step will help you alleviate your condition as you wait to sort them out later towards the end of your GERD diet. Here are foods that you should stay away from:
They include alcohol substances, spicy peppers, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, fatty and fried foods, caffeinated drinks, Tomatoes, and allied products. This list of foods and several others are notable GERD triggers that you should delete from your diet even before finding an amicable solution for your illness. After putting these away, you are left with several foods to choose from for your diet.
The Right Foods for your GERD Diet
Your GERD condition will persist if you keep eating normally without choosing the recommended food items for your diet. These are foods that will help you manage your situation for several days before resuming food substances that trigger acid reflux. Here is what to eat when you have GERD:
- Some fruits except citrus options. Mainly, recommended fruits include watermelon and apples and a few others
- Lean meats, seafood and skin-free chicken among others
- Whole and cracked grains and legumes such as chickpeas and lentils
- Whole soy foods such as tempeh
- Some Vegetables, nuts and seeds
- Non-dairy products or those that are low in fat
- Healthy fats like avocado and olive oil. However, these must be taken in moderation
- Natural foods such as herbal tea are also highly recommended
Characteristic Nature of Foods for your GERD Diet
The recommended foods for your GERD diet revolve around options that are low in fat and acid. Again, the choice even for the diet-compliant foods should be made taking into account the proportions particularly in ensuring that you maintain a healthy weight. Most importantly, it is always good to remember that different people react differently to these foods. For instance, citrus fruits such as grapefruits and oranges should not be part of your GERD diet. However, some people may not experience issues with pineapples based on their acid content.
Not all vegetables are bad for your GERD diet. However, keep off spicy pepper, tomatoes, and its products such as tomato sauce. You should also be wary of garlic and onions that may also trigger GERD symptoms. The objective here is to pick vegetables that can help boost fiber content. Most vegetables except the ones highlighted here are good options to pick. Make sure that half of your plate has recommended GERD-safe vegetables and fruits for all your snacks and meals.
Even though some foods are a good part of your Mediterranean Diet too, it is important to make sure that they are taken in the right proportions. For instance, grains such as wheat bran, brown rice, and oats should be taken in small servings per meal. Dairy foods, on the other hand, should be limited to low-fat products. If you can get non-dairy product alternatives, which would be the most recommended option.
Pick lean meat cuts for your meats, seafood, and skin-free chicken. That means you will have to keep off high-fat meat and spiced meat like hot dogs, bacon and sausages, and similar products. Fats of all kinds even those in meat products are not recommended. Any fried food is also not suitable for your diet. Go for healthy fats like avocado, which should be taken in moderation, and use olive oil where possible.
If you have to take in spices and seasons, go for natural herbs that are freshly dried like parsley and thyme. Keep off hot spices like chili powder, mint, cinnamon, and curry powder. Chocolate boosts stomach acid content and therefore should also be avoided at all costs whether in its nature or in other products. For beverages, you will not have many options. Caffeine-free options or water infused with recommended fruits can suffice. The rest may just make your situation worse by contributing to more acid and irritation to your stomach.
Taking your GERD Diet
Several things count towards having an effective GERD diet and one of them is timing. It is not only in what you eat but also in how you eat it. For instance, it is very important to time your dinners. You should take your dinners at least two hours before retiring to bed. Again, avoid snacking late in the night. You should also avoid the temptation of lying low after taking your meal. Staying upright will help your body digest the food eaten and lower the chances of experiencing GERD symptoms. Use healthier cooking methods that will not involve using a lot of oils and fats.
Taking a GERD diet may not be an easy option for you but could be the only option for you to get relief from acid reflux. Even with the recommended foods, you must ensure that you take them in the right manner and preferred portions.