Diet For GERD (also Called Acid Reflux)

 Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disease that causes stomach acid to flow into your esophagus (where the food goes in route to your stomach after you swallow it). This stomach acid can inflame and irritate your esophagus and cause serious discomfort like heartburn and swallowing problems.

Acid Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux are often the two names given for this type of disease. The symptoms and the treatments are often the same for both named diseases. A mild case of Acid Reflux can often lead to damage of the esophagus and that can complicate the basic problem of too much acid in the stomach. When the stomach acid erupts into your esophagus it can become a very serious medical issue. 

There are many causes for acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), such as excess stomach acid, physical problems with the flap (LES) that covers the opening at the bottom of the esophagus, and overeating of acid rich foods. Many doctors recommend very specific foods that should be avoided, along with many that have less potential to cause excess stomach acid. 

Antacid over the counter medicine (Tums, Maalox, Rolaids, etc) and prescription drugs that inhibit or slow down production of acid (cimetidine (Tagamet HB), famotidine (Pepcid AC), nizatidine (Axid AR), ranitidine (Zantac 75),  or omeprazole (Prilosec) can help many. Most of the prescription inhibitor drugs are now available in over the counter (otc) versions too.

Many people find that one type of acid inhibitor will be more effective than another so you might want to try more than one brand and type. Generally omeprazole (Prolosec) and ranitidine (Zantac 75) are the two most popular. The antacids usually will help after the symptoms start but the acid inhibitors eliminate the problem before it occurs so is often preferred.

GERD Diet Recommendations 

But most doctors also recommend a lifestyle and diet change to help avoid these kind of acid reflux or GERD problems. Here's a quick list of foods that are safe and the ones to avoid if your have been diagnosed with GERD or acid reflux.

Safe Foods for GERD

GERD Foods To Avoid

Fruits  • Apple, fresh • Apple, dried • Apple juice • Banana  Vegetables  • Baked potato • Broccoli • Cabbage • Carrots • Green beans • Peas  Meat  • Extra-lean ground beef • London Broil Steak • Skinless chicken breast • Egg whites • Egg substitute • Fish, no added fat  Dairy Products  • Cheese, feta or goat • Cream cheese, fat-free • Sour cream, fat-free • Soy cheese, low-fat  Grains  • Bread, mult-grain or white • Cereal, bran or oatmeal • Corn bread • Graham crackers • Pretzels • Rice, brown or white • Rice cakes  Beverages  • Mineral water  Fats / Oils  • Low fat salad dressing Sweets / Desserts /Snacks • Fat free cookie • Jelly beans • Red licorice • Baked potato chips

Fruits  • Orange juice • Lemon • Lemonade • Grapefruit juice • Cranberry juice • Tomato  Vegetables  • French fries • Raw onions Meat  • Ground beef, chuck • Marbled sirloin • Chicken nuggets • Buffalo wings  Dairy Products  • Sour cream • Any Milk shake • Ice cream • Regular cottage cheese Grains  • Macaroni and cheese • Spaghetti with red sauce  Beverages  • Liquor • Wine • Coffee, any • Tea, any  Fats / Oils  • Creamy salad dressing • Oil & vinegar dressing Sweets / Desserts /Snacks • Butter cookie, high-fat • Brownie • Chocolate • Doughnut • Corn chips • Regular potato chips Nicotine, any form

As you can see, many foods that have natural acids, require acids to digest properly, fried foods, foods with high fat content, and spicy foods are definitely in the avoid list. Any GERD Diet or Acid Reflux Diet should not contain any known irritants that add to the existing acids in your stomach.

Many foods cause problems due to the preparation or method of serving with other condiments. A good example is you can have grilled or roasted skinless chicken breasts but not spicy fried chicken wings. So you can still have many of your favorite foods but prepared in such a way that eliminates any condiments or add-ons that will cause problems or increase stomach acid.

Also keep in mind that everyone can have foods that are more of a problem than to others. It's a good idea to customize the list to fit your particular reactions. Both these lists are just starting points and should be adjusted to your individual needs. As with any dietary change, always check with your physician before starting any diet.

The content on this site is presented only for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice from a practicing physician.