A GERD diet plan, just as the name suggests, is a diet to help lower the effects of her. The word gerd stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This is an uncomfortable condition, which is caused by the relaxation and enlargement of the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES. This is typically experienced after meals or at times of excessive stress. The sphincter is located right below the stomach.
A good diet plan helps you to avoid the foods and beverages that are often associated with GERD. One GERD factor that is often thought to contribute to GERD is spicy foods. Spicy food is one of the main causes of indigestion, or the difficulty of digestion. When you cut out the spicy foods and replace them with low-sugar, low-fat, high-fiber foods, you may find that GERD can become less chronic.
The foods to avoid in a GERD diet plan include: caffeine-based drinks, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, peppermint, spicy foods, tomato products, onions and tomato juice. This does not mean you cannot have these foods once per week, only that you should limit them. Caffeine, alcohol and tomato juice are considered GERD triggers. If you enjoy taking vitamin C supplements or eating spicy foods, try to consume it in the form of an orange, instead. Spicy foods that you can eat includes pepper, garlic, Cayenne, chili, tomatoes and onions. Limit your intake of these foods to two or three times per week, especially if you suffer from nausea or heartburn on a regular basis.
Another thing to remember in your GERD diet plan is to monitor your food intake. Count the number of servings of different foods you consume throughout the day. If you often feel sick after eating a particular food, make sure to eliminate this food from your diet for a few days until you can start to feel better. You should also look at the amount of calories you are consuming through daily food choices to ensure you are getting enough nutrients to maintain good health.
For many people with acid reflux problems, avoiding certain foods can be difficult. In addition to the foods to avoid in a GERD diet plan, there are also some foods you should eat more of. These foods include citrus fruits, grapefruit, green tea, oatmeal, pretzels, fish oils and low-fat dairy products. Milk is also important in a GERD reflux diet plan because it helps keep esophageal sphincter muscles open.
Lifestyle changes are important when you suffer from GERD. Smoking should be eliminated because smoking makes your symptoms worse. Alcohol should be eliminated because alcohol tends to increase your heartburn. Changing your lifestyle and eating habits is the best way to improve your GERD diet plan and your overall gut health.