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Gerd Diet Suggestions: Items to Eat and to Avoid

After you swallow your food it flows down the esophagus and enters your stomach. A ring of muscle is located at the bottom of the esophagus which loosens up to allow food to move to your stomach. It tightens up between swallows in order to stop the reflux of unwanted stomach acid into your esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when this ring of muscle doesn’t work properly and allows stomach acid to move up into your esophagus.

A chronic reflux situation allows contents form your stomach, including stomach acid to have a lingering contact with the lower portion of the esophagus which produces the symptoms of GERD in the body. Heartburn, uncomfortable feeling in the chest, coughing and a bitter taste in the mouth are some of the symptoms associated with GERD. GERD diet suggestions are available which can help you reduce acid reflux or prevent it from occurring.

Foods to Avoid

If you follow your doctor’s suggestions for a GERD diet you will probably have to eliminate items from your diet such as fatty foods, items containing spearmint and peppermint, whole milk, chocolate, creamy soups and other foods that come in a cream substance.

Foods that should be eliminated or significantly reduced in your diet due to agitating the lower esophagus are citrus fruits, tomatoes, coffee, tea and all beverages that contain caffeine. Spicy foods also can cause problems for some people who have GERD. Stay away from breads that are high in fat or are made with whole milk. Avoid eating sausage, bacon, meats high in fat and avoid eating chicken skin.

Foods that are Recommended

Fresh vegetables are a part of typical GERD diet suggestions from doctors and dieticians. Fruits such as bananas, peaches, pears, a variety of melons and berries and apples are recommended. Expert GERD diet suggestions also include low fat breads, grains, herbal teas, and juices except for citrus juices, some varieties of low fat soups and fat free soups.

Suggestions for GERD diets include breakfast items such as apple juice, bananas, jam and whole grain cereals. Lunch suggestions include lean beef, vegetable soup, fruit salad (no citrus fruit) or a green leafy salad with no tomatoes. For dinner you might choose to have a green leafy salad, skinless chicken breast, brown rice, whole grain bread, and a variety of vegetables. You might want to choose a low fat frozen yogurt for dessert. If you include GERD diet suggestions from doctors and dieticians in your meals you might be able to reduce your GERD symptoms.