Foods to avoid for GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or commonly known as the GERD may not seem like a great deal unless you’ve had your experience. That burning sensation in your chest, difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation of food and stomach acid with rising chest pain is quite irritating. You can make these symptoms go away using prescription heartburn tablets. But with a few basic lifestyles and food changes may help you to avoid GERD attacks. Here is the list of foods to be avoided with GERD.

 

Tomatoes and Citrus Fruits/Juices

These food items are rich in the acid content and can increase GERD on consumption. That also includes pizza, sadly, that can be a double-whammy due to the next category of culprit foods.

 

Foods High in Fat

Cheese, prime rib, fries, and ice cream may cause heartburn in many people suffering from GERD. It’s because fat slows down the emptying of the stomach, that puts pressure on the oesophageal sphincter.

 

Garlic, Onion and Spicy Foods

Not everyone suffering from GERD has difficulty with these. But it’s better to remove them from your meal step-by-step if you’ve already left eating the acidic and fatty foods and still have difficulties.

 

Coffee

This is truly unfortunate, for sure, but coffee works negatively in two ways. It’s been shown to decrease the tone of the lower oesophageal sphincter, which invites stomach contents to come in. Caffeine also stimulates acid secretion. If you love coffee, try one with low caffeine content.

 

Mint and Chocolate

Just like coffee, mint and chocolates can chemically cause the lower oesophageal sphincter to get relaxed, eventually triggering acid reflux. But while mint and mint gum can cause problems, chewing gum, in general, has been shown to have a favourable effect on GERD because it enhances saliva creation, which helps counterbalance the stomach acid. Just choose any other flavour and avoid mint if it bothers you.
 

Alcohol

While alcohol is identified as the significant contributing factor to GERD, it affects everyone differently. Try restricting yourself to one drink or not drinking for at least two hrs before bed.

Carbonated drinks

The carbonation in soda or soft-drink may cause the stomach to swell and bloat. This will place some extra pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter and enhance GERD.

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