Now that you have checked
with your doctor and you know for sure that
you have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease), you are going to have to raid your
pantry and find GERD foods to avoid!
There are many foods
which your stomach is not strong enough to
take and you should be aware of those, to
avoid any future severe heartburn
confrontations.
Although GERD is
different for everyone, due to varying acid
tolerance, most sufferers stay away from the
same main foods. First, steer clear of
carbonated sodas, citrus drinks, and teas.
They are filled with acid which can easily
flow right down your esophagus and into your
stomach leading to pain from acid reflux!
If you are concerned with
the vitamin C loss from your favorite citrus
drinks, consider taking vitamin supplements
at mealtimes and you won't miss a thing
(except the heartburn).
Soups are fine to eat as
long as they are not “cream-style”, tomato,
or even vegetable. Those tend to be too
fatty which can also be bad for your damaged
stomach. Fatty foods can often lead to an
exacerbation of GERD symptoms. They
definitely make it on the list of GERD foods
to avoid.
Another group of foods
which are known trouble-makers are the
seemingly innocent flavors of spearmint,
peppermint, chocolate, and chewing gum. Sure
you probably think that doesn't make any
sense... you don't even swallow gum! But what
you do swallow is your saliva as you chew
that gum. That constant swallowing of saliva
is dangerous because of an automatic setting
in your stomach which is designed to produce
a set amount of acid to help break down the
foods when you swallow.
When you chew gum you
swallow the saliva your body is producing,
but what is there to break down; nothing but
the interior and lining of your stomach.
Once you get the hang of it, you'll know
what you can and can not have and
specifically what GERD foods to avoid.
