Do you have frequent acid reflux? Do you regurgitate your food? Is your throat often sore? If you answered yes to all those questions, you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease. Other symptoms also include nausea, bad breath, vomiting, and tooth damage from stomach acid. Changing your diet can help manage your condition. Here’s a handy guide to what food should be a staple in your diet and which ones you should avoid starting today.
What to Avoid
Do you love to drink alcohol? That worsens your reflux. Avoid alcohol from now on. Fried or oily foods, like fried chicken, french fries, and fried pork, will only exacerbate your condition. You should also say goodbye to caffeine, which can be a problem if you rely on coffee. Consider decaf options. Carbonate drinks, or soft drinks, are now out of your meal plans, too. Also, avoid spicy foods if you have GERD. Tomato-based sauces are also bad for you. Knowing what to exclude from your meals will help you create the perfect chronic reflux diet to manage your symptoms and improve your health.
What to Eat
If you have GERD, your meals should be free of dairy products. That means eliminating yogurt, ice cream, milk, and cheese. Improve your lean meat intake by increasing your consumption of eggs, tofu, fish, and skinless poultry. Start preparing dishes with fresh vegetables. Broth-based soups are also an excellent choice. Low-fat baked goods are your best friends, so you can still eat bread, bagels, waffles, and pancakes. You also don’t have to eliminate desserts from your life. Choose gelatin and fruit-based options. Knowing which food should be in your chronic reflux diet allows you to prevent your condition from worsening. Be consistent with your plans, too. Stick to your meal plans and you’ll see your symptoms reduced.
How to Eat
Follow these helpful eating tips to ensure the best results.
- Eat smaller but frequent meals.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat slowly.
