GERD Diet

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD) is a common, often recurring condition.
While medications may control your symptoms, lifelong medications are often not desirable.

The following changes in your diet and lifestyle will help decrease your GERD symptoms, and may allow you to use less medication.

Often weight loss alone is very helpful. 

Try to avoid excessive amounts of the following foods: 

Onions, garlic, and peppers

Tomato Sauces

Chocolate

Peppermint

Fried Foods

Very Fatty Foods

Spicy Foods

Citrus Juices

Alcohol

*Try to avoid consuming more than 3 cups of coffee and caffeinated sodas daily

*Try to consume high protein foods (i.e. fish, skinless chicken)

Also, if you're smoking, you should decrease or quit. Try not to use aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like Advil, Aleve, Motrin) unless prescribed by a physician, and absolutely necessary. Tylenol is okay.

You should try to eat smaller and more frequent meals, and avoid lying down for about 1 hour after eating. If your symptoms are severe, you may sleep on a wedge - elevating your head 30 degrees, or put 3 inch wooden blocks underneath the head of the bed frame.