Diet for GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a fairly common chronic illness that affects the digestive tract. GERD is caused by a backwash of stomach acid entering the esophagus, which irritates the esophagus' lining and can cause long-term damage over time if untreated. In addition to medication, according to the Mayo Clinic there are a number of foods that can ease the affects of GERD as well as foods that can exacerbate the problem.

Foods To Eat

Foods low in acid tend to irritate the digestive tract less than acidic foods do. This means fruits such as bananas and apples are safe bets. Many vegetables are safe for GERD sufferers to eat, which helps supplement the vitamins and minerals lost by cutting acidic fruits from the diet. Healthy and GERD-friendly veggies include carrots, beans, potatoes, cabbage and broccoli. Meat is also not usually a problem for those with GERD. Chicken, low-fat beef and fish are all healthy options. However, it should be noted that how the meat is prepared is important: spicy seasonings or citric sauces can irritate the stomach and should be avoided. Soft cheeses, such as feta or goat's cheese, are safe cheese options; however, for the most part cheese intake should be limited. As for beverages, water is a safe choice, as are non-acidic fruit juices such as apple juice.

Foods To Avoid

Any acidic foods should be avoided as they promote stomach acid backwash. Offenders include oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes. Many who suffer from GERD report that bread can be difficult to digest, resulting in GERD aggravation. Sauces or dressings rich in vinegar should also be avoided. Beverages to avoid include alcohol, including wine and beer, coffee, tea and whole cow's milk. One of the worst food offenders is the tomato. Tomato juice, ketchup, pasta sauce and tomatoes should all be avoided. Some cheeses can also be an irritant. Italian cuisine can be especially difficult for those with GERD, since many of its most popular dishes contain bread, tomato sauce and cheese. Fried and spicy meats, such as hot wings, should be avoided.

Supplements

While the Mayo Clinic cautions that no vitamin or mineral supplements are proven to reduce the effects of GERD, some sufferers find that magnesium, which supports healthy liver function, helps soothe GERD symptoms. Stress is also a contributor to GERD, so stress-reducing supplements like St. John's wort may reduce the occurrence of stomach acid backwash. Calcium bicarbonate can help equalize the acid levels of the stomach, thus reducing the occurrence of acid backwash as well. Herbs, including marshmallow, licorice, slippery elm and chamomile, have traditionally been used to ease GERD and heartburn. Talk to your doctor before adding any supplement to your diet.