Which Foods Can Help in GERD - DiseaseFix (2023)

FAQs

What foods help repair GERD? ›

Eat plenty of whole foods naturally low in fat and sugar, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nonfat dairy, and fish. Steer clear of fatty meat, sugary drinks (especially carbonated drinks), processed foods, and fatty, sugary desserts. Drink little or no alcohol and caffeine.

Drinks such as ginger tea, certain fruit and vegetable juices, and plant-based milks may benefit people experiencing acid reflux and heartburn. Avoiding citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and alcohol can also help to reduce symptom frequency and severity.

Bananas for stomach acid are considered safe because they have alkaline (alkaline) properties. In addition, this fruit is also considered to help balance the acid in the stomach so that symptoms of acid reflux or GERD can be prevented.

Avocado: Despite being high in fat, avocados are rich in healthy fats, which can settle your stomach and prevent acid reflux symptoms.

You should avoid chunky peanut butter, as it's more likely to cause symptoms of acid reflux. Smooth peanut butter is often a part of esophageal soft diets. Your doctor may recommend this diet if you have esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus. Acid reflux is often a symptom of esophagitis.

Surgery for GERD

The goal of surgery for reflux disease is to strengthen the anti-reflux barrier. During a procedure known as a Nissen fundoplication, your surgeon wraps the upper part of your stomach around the lower esophagus. This enhances the anti-reflux barrier and can provide permanent relief from reflux.

Drinking water during the later stages of digestion can reduce acidity and GERD symptoms. Often, there are pockets of high acidity, between a pH or 1 and 2, just below the esophagus. By drinking tap or filtered water a little while after a meal, you can dilute the acid there, which can result in less heartburn.

Alkaline water is considered therapeutic by many people who suffer from reflux disease and is associated with reducing symptoms, such as heartburn. The theory is that it reduces the acidity of the intestinal tract and permanently denatures any pepsin that is present.

What ice cream is good for acid reflux? ›

Given that your dessert is one (or two) scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Wondering why we chose this flavour for your heartburn, out of all those other mouth-watering flavours? It is because vanilla ice-cream is just another version of cold milk (that is frozen) thought to be a good natural remedy for acidity.

Water. Most notably, mineral water with an alkaline pH – this may reduce the acidity of the stomach and help to denature the enzyme pepsin. It's this digestive enzyme that is thought to be responsible for much of the damage associated with reflux.

Low in fat, egg whites are easier to digest, so they may be less likely to trigger your GERD. However, egg yolks are high in fat, so may increase your chances of getting acid reflux. If you want to include eggs in your diet, you could consider removing the yolks first.

Is Yogurt Good for GERD? Yogurt that is low in fat is generally safe to eat for those who have GERD. You should avoid eating yogurt that contains whole fat rather than low amounts of fat. Whole fat yogurt can be harder for you to digest and might trigger GERD symptoms.

CITRUS Fruits and Juices

Lemons, oranges, limes, and grapefruit are all foods that can make your GERD symptoms worse because of their citric acid content. Pineapple is another fruit high in citric acid you might want to avoid in order to manage your symptoms.

Although apples are generally safe to eat, certain types of apples may trigger symptoms in people with acid reflux. Red apples generally don't cause an increase in symptoms. Green apples are more acidic, which can have a negative impact for some. Pesticide residue may be present on conventional apple skins.

Oatmeal has been a whole-grain breakfast favorite for generations. It is a good source of fiber, so it keeps you feeling full and promotes regularity. Oats also absorb stomach acid and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). For something sweet, top your oatmeal with bananas, apples or pears.

Some people with GERD find that the yolk of the egg aggravates their symptoms. The good news is that you can easily enjoy just the egg whites. To avoid butter and oil, eat just the white of a hard boiled egg. A light scramble in a little bit of butter or coconut oil is another option.

Foods to Eat on an Acid Reflux Diet

Noncitrus fruits: Apples, bananas, blueberries, and strawberries are safe bets.

Whole Grains

Whole grains can be complete foods, like popcorn or quinoa, or ingredients in other foods, like whole-wheat flour in bread. The amount of fiber found in whole-grain foods may help absorb stomach acid.

What sweets can I eat with GERD? ›

Non-fat or low-fat pudding, custard, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet. Low-fat cookies. Gelatin made from allowed foods. Sweets and desserts with chocolate, peppermint, or spearmint (including flavoring).

Is pasta good for acid reflux? By itself or with little sauce and cheese, pasta shouldn't trigger acid reflux. However, specific ingredients and toppings can lead to heartburn in people prone to it, such as heavy tomato or cream sauces, lots of garlic and spices, and carbonara (cream, cheese, and bacon).

Although research on honey and acid reflux is limited, it's still considered to be a safe, effective way to treat acid reflux. If you decide to try honey, remember: A typical dose is about one teaspoon per day.

By lifting and holding the neck from a supine position for 60 seconds at a time, you create enough tension in the muscle associated with the upper esophageal sphincter that it can strengthen the valve.

The Stretta system delivers low power, low temperature radiofrequency (RF) energy to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle and gastric cardia. This energy remodels the tissue, resulting in improved barrier function and fewer random relaxations that cause reflux symptoms.

Persistent heartburn can also be a symptom of other conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus, hiatal hernia, or esophageal cancer. If heartburn does not resolve after taking antacids, a person should visit a doctor for evaluation.

Studies have shown proton pump inhibitor therapy can provide complete endoscopic mucosal healing of esophagitis at 6 to 8 weeks in 75% to 100% of cases. Although healing of the esophagus may occur in 6 to 8 weeks, it should not be misunderstood that gastroesophageal reflux can be cured in that amount of time.

Some research suggests that inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can take up to 8 weeks to heal with successful lifestyle changes and medications.

Drinking lemon water is a potentially helpful remedy to reduce symptoms. Always drink it diluted and pay attention to the body's reaction. Some people report that drinking lemon water can reduce their symptoms of acid reflux after a meal. For others, lemon water can make their acid reflux worse.

Is Cranberry Juice Good for acid reflux? ›

For most healthy people, cranberry juice is safe, but it can interact with certain drugs. Cranberry juice can also temporarily make conditions, such as acid reflux, worse because it is mildly acidic.

Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural remedy for acid reflux and heartburn. Many people claim that it relieves their symptoms. However, there are currently no scientific studies to say that apple cider vinegar is effective for acid reflux.

Drinking hot water can aid in soothing your stomach, help digestion, and lessen the symptoms of GERD and acid reflux. As mentioned, water dilutes acids in the stomach, keeping the acid from rising to your esophagus, which is the leading cause of acid reflux.

Mix 3 TBSP champagne or white wine vinegar with 1 TBSP Dijon mustard. Add 1 TBSP finely chopped parsley, 1 TBSP fresh basil or ginger and 1 TBSP marjoram or thyme.

Replace Acidic Foods

Some people with heartburn can tolerate small amounts of ketchup, but it may be safer to use reduced-fat mayonnaise or mustard instead. Vinegar is also highly acidic; cider vinegar and rice vinegar, however, are less acidic and may be less likely to provoke heartburn symptoms than regular vinegar.

Saturated fats such as butter, cream and cheese, can be especially bad for acid reflux, so try to ensure that the fats you eat are healthier unsaturated ones, such as avocado or walnuts.

While it's good to drink a lot of water when you have GERD, avoid drinking water just before bed time. It'll only wake you up in the middle of the night because you have to use the bathroom, and it may not be easy to drift back to sleep. Don't nap in the daytime.

Toast can help decrease nausea and reduce heartburn, but not all toast is the same. Whole wheat bread is more healthful than white bread but is high in fiber and can be difficult for some people to eat. If a person has trouble digesting whole wheat toast, the first step is to try it plain without butter.

Lean meats, such as chicken, turkey, fish, and seafood, are low in fat and less likely to cause symptoms of acid reflux than fatty meats. Try them grilled, broiled, baked, or poached.

Like many spices, cinnamon has been said to worsen acid reflux symptoms, especially when eaten in large amounts. However, no research currently proves that cinnamon causes or worsens acid reflux. It's likewise unlikely to alleviate this condition.

What is the best cheese for acid reflux? ›

Mozzarella cheese is relatively low in fat and rennet compared to other cheese varieties, making it a safer choice for those with acid reflux.

Yes, GERD can be cured. The most common treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is medication, which can help to decrease the amount of acid in your stomach. If lifestyle changes don't help, your doctor may also recommend surgery.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

Baking soda can quickly neutralize stomach acid and relieve indigestion, bloating, and gas after eating. For this remedy, add 1/2 teaspoon (tsp) of baking soda to 4 ounces (oz) of warm water and drink. Sodium bicarbonate is generally safe and nontoxic.

Some research suggests that inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can take up to 8 weeks to heal with successful lifestyle changes and medications.

Although healing of the esophagus may occur in 6 to 8 weeks, it should not be misunderstood that gastroesophageal reflux can be cured in that amount of time.

Intermittent fasting was associated with a 0.64 reduction in acid exposure time (95% CI: -2.32, 1.05). There was a reduction in GERD symptom scores of heartburn and regurgitation during periods of intermittent fasting (14.3 vs. 9.9; difference of -4.46, 95% CI: -7.6,-1.32).

Try Aloe Vera Juice. Aloe vera juice is one of the few natural remedies approved by the FDA for treating esophagus naturally. Aloe vera contains glycoproteins which help reduce irritation and inflammation on the esophagus. It also contains polysaccharides which help in tissue repair on the esophagus walls.

Water. In general, drinking water can help balance the pH of a particularly acidic meal, which may help to lower the risk of acid reflux. Studies show that drinking mineral water with a high hydrogen carbonate content can help to alleviate the frequency and severity of acid reflux.

For sugary treats, stick to licorice, gummy bears, and candy corn. These sweets are a heartburn-free way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

How can I restore my stomach acid naturally? ›