Gerd Diet
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, is a disorder common in both children and adults. The symptom of GERD is usually persistent heartburn or a burning in the chest or stomach. GERD can be controlled with a food diet for acid reflux, another name for GERD. The condition is not life threatening but can cause quite a bit of discomfort and agitation.

A GERD diet doesn’t require major changes and not all people on a GERD diet plan need to make all of the modifications suggested.

To start, an acid reflux dieter should reduce the size of meals and increase their frequency. This may mean your diet for GERD has you eating every 4 hours, or up to 5 times per day. The key, though, is that each meal should be small.

Timing isn’t everything but altering meal times may help alleviate some of the symptoms. Try altering your diet for acid reflux to time your last meal at least four hours before you typically go to bed. This will allow your digestive system plenty of time to digest the food and cease releasing acid before bedtime.

Your acid reflux disease diet should reduce your total fat intake. Ideally, your fat intake will be between 15% and 30% of your daily calories consumed. Since obesity is often a contributing factor, a diet for the treatment of GERD with limited fat and caloric consumption will also help you lose weight.

Food plans for acid reflux diet often eliminate coffee, tea and acidic carbonated beverages. Additionally, when on a GERD diet, foods to avoid include alcohol, citrus fruits and juices, peppermint or mint of any kind, tomatoes and tomato products, chocolate, fast food, creamy soups and whole milk and cream.

A diet for GERD may include adding acid-neutralizing foods and ingredients into your meals as well. A connection between acid reflux and alkaline diet, that is, a diet laden with alkaline-heavy foods, can be beneficial. You can find a list of alkalizing foods online by searching for “alkalizing food list”, with the quotes.

The connection between acid reflux and diet is indisputable, but changing diet alone may not be enough. While you may be saying “I need a diet for acid reflux”, you may also have to modify a few other aspects of your life.

Sit upright during and after eating a meal.
Stop use of all tobacco products, including smoking.
Keep clothing loose and comfortable, especially in the abdominal region.
Sleep on your left side.
Chew gum that is not minty. This will increase saliva, which decreases acid.
Use plenty of pillows to elevate your head and upper body as you sleep.