What is GERD?

GERD is the abnormal reflux of various stomach contents into the esophagus. In most individuals, the lower esophageal sphincter does not close properly - allowing back flow of acid. This results in irritation as well as varying degree of erosion to the esophageal mucosal lining.

Symptoms Include:

• Heartburn
• Difficulty/painful swallowing
• Chest pain
• Acid regurgitation
• Clearing of throat, excessively
• Feeling of food being stuck in throat
• Burning sensation in throat/chest
• Nausea/vomitting

The GERD Diet 

Foods that can cause irritation and should be removed from diet include:

• spicy foods (hot sauce, spicy peppers, etc.)
• citrus foods (orange, lemon, lime, etc.)
• tomato based foods (ketchup, tomato sauce, tomato soup)
• fried foods (french fries, fried chicken, etc.)

Beverages that loosen the esophageal sphincter and should be avoided (or limited) include:

• caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks, etc.)
• alcohol

After you have eliminted the above list of foods, it is best to transition to the Anti-inflammatory Diet (see below).

Anti-inflammatory Diet

The anti-inflammatory diet, also known as the Mediteranean diet, is a mostly whole-food, plant-based diet with an inclusion of high-quality animal products. 

Step 1: Add anti-inflammatory foods to current diet:

• Avocados, Avocado oil
• Olives, Extra-virgin Olive Oil
• Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries)
• Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, brussels sprouts, bok choy, etc.
• Raw nuts and seeds such as walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds
• High quality animal protein: Grass-fed, Grass-finished beef, Free-range chicken, Omega-3 cage-free whole eggs
• Fatty fish such as salmon, sardine, mackerel, cod, herring, trout, canned tuna.
• Organic Bone Broth
• Unrefined coconut oil or MCT oil
• Herbs and spices such as turmeric, rosemary, ginger, and cinnamon

Step 2: Minimize/replace inflammatory foods:

• Hydrogenated oils (partially hydrogenated oils, Trans fats)
• Refined vegetable oils (safflower, soybean, sunflower, grapeseed, corn)
• Refined carbohydrates (AKA added sugar)
• Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (soda, juice, sweetened tea/coffee)
• Alcohol
• Artificial colors, dyes, flavors
• Artificial preservatives (cellulose gum, polysorbate-80, carrageenan, etc.)
• Artificial sweeteners (sucralose, aspartame, saccharin etc.)
• Factory-farmed dairy
• Fast food
• Fried foods

If you look through both lists carefully, you will find that the anti-inflammatory foods list consists of whole, real food. The inflammatory list consists of processed food. 

Step 3: Drink WATER

Water is one of the most anti-inflammatory substances you can put in your body. Water is the medium in which most cellular processes occur. If your body and cells aren't adequately hydrated, metabolism may not function optimally. 

The current recommendation for water intake is 65 oz. (about 2 liters or 8 cups). This does not include coffee or tea (caffeinated).

If symptoms do not improve, consider eliminating dairy and gluten COMPLETELY for 3 weeks to determine if these foods influences symptoms. Most people feel better going gluten-free and dairy-free due to the decrease in processed food consumption.

Author

Tatiana Keay, MS, RD  Tatiana Keay is DDCOC's in-house registered dietitian. She helps lots of our patients who are serious about improving their gastrointestinal symptoms with dietary interventions.