Are you suffering from acid reflux? Is GERD imposing a negative effect on your health? Then you can get relief by following a proper nutrition program.
GERD- What it is:
GERD or gastro-esophageal reflux disease is actually a digestive disorder, which can affect the LES or lower esophageal sphincter. This ring of muscle is located between the stomach and the esophagus. Many people, especially pregnant women suffer from the acid indigestion or heartburn caused by GERD. According to the healthcare professionals, people also suffer from GERD because of a pre-existing condition called hiatal hernia. However, in most cases, the suffering related to heartburn can be controlled and reduced through a proper diet and change in lifestyle.
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The LES closes when you swallow food, so that the food is not returned back to the esophagus. If the LES relaxes when it is not supposed to do so, the digestive juices and the gastric acid from stomach can go back up the esophageal duct. This reflux action gives rise to painful and uncomfortable symptoms of regurgitation, heartburn, choking, and coughing. You need to avoid some food and beverages that can irritate the esophagus and make the LES malfunction. You need to have an appropriate meal, so that the symptoms can be taken care of.
Tailoring The Diet to Treat GERD:
You need to keep a track of the food you are consuming in a personal food journal. For one week, you need to keep track the time when you are taking the food, the types of food you are eating, and whether you are experiencing any symptom after the meal. Once you can identify some specific food or drink that is causing you irritation, you can cut down on those items and modify the diet.
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Food That you Need to Avoid in GERD Diet:
Though there are no specific foods or beverage identified by the medical community as causing agents of reflux symptoms, you can avoid some food and beverage to prevent heartburn, indigestion, and such other types of acid reflux. Fatty and fried foods can reduce the pressure on the LES and holdup the stomach emptying process. So, you need to avoid food that are fried and contain higher amount of fat. Some of the foods that you need to avoid or consume sparingly are as follows:
- Onion rings and French fries
- Dairy products that are fully fat (whole milk, butter, sour cream, and regular cheese)
- Fried or fatty cuts of lamb, pork or beef
- Citrus fruit and tomatoes
- High fat snacks and desserts (potato chips and ice cream)
- Lard, ham fat, bacon fat
- Creamy salad dressings, gravies, cream sauces
- Fruits (grapefruits, oranges, pineapples, lemons, chili)
- Chocolate
- Pizza
- Garlic
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Food that help you to combat irritation in GERD:
The foods that help you to lessen the irritation and heartburn are
- Probiotics and yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Fiber containing food (apples, honey)
You should talk to your physician before consuming any food. Some foods that may work for one person suffering from GERD might not work for another. Only a healthcare professional would be able to help you identify the necessary food items for you.
