As part of a
GERD diet, people should choose a wide variety of low-calorie, nutritious foods in moderate amounts. This should include lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and low-fat or fat-free milk, as well as fish, lean meat, poultry, or dry beans. Also, GERD diet foods should be low in fat and added sugars.
Some foods that should be avoided as part of a GERD diet include:
- Chocolate
- Peppermint
- Fried and fatty foods
- Tomato products
- Foods and drinks that contain caffeine
- Alcoholic beverages.
Coffee and alcohol actually stimulate your stomach to make more acid than usual. Alcohol, chocolate, and fatty foods are believed to cause the lower esophageal sphincter to weaken. Together, too much stomach acid and a weak lower esophageal sphincter can increase the
symptoms of GERD.
(Click Diet for GERD if you would like to know more about specific foods, such as garlic and mustard, that can make GERD symptoms worse.)
