Nurse Teaching on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) Diet

Nurse educated the patient/caregiver on Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diet recommendations as below: 

  1. Reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus results in GERD symptoms.
  2. Avoid high fatty foods, greasy and spicy foods, as they can result in easy reflux of the acid up into the esophagus. Also, these foods take more time to empty and stay in the stomach longer and so, are at increased risk to promote GERD symptoms.
  3. Avoid/observe moderation with dark chocolate and chocolate drinks, coffee, and dark sodas. These food items can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus and make reflux of acid from stomach, up into esophagus, more likely.
  4. Avoid acidic foods, such as, tomatoes and tomato products, lime, grapes, grapefruits, and oranges with meal or closer to bedtime, as these foods can increase the acid content in the stomach and make reflux of acid from stomach, up into esophagus, more likely.
  5. Avoid eating big meals. Big meals increase the pressure in the stomach and can contribute to return of acid contents into the esophagus, resulting in GERD symptoms. Eat small, frequent meals instead of a big meal.
  6. Avoid alcoholic beverages, such as, beer, with meal or closer to bedtime. Alcohol can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus and can contribute to return of acid contents into the esophagus, resulting in GERD symptoms.
  7. Avoiding/observing moderation with certain foods, beverages, and meal patterns can prevent worsening of the GERD symptoms.
  8. Avoid eating closer to bedtime. Gravity acting in downward direction, prevents acid from traveling up into the esophagus and helps with preventing GERD symptoms. Eating closer to bedtime and laying down can eliminate the effect of gravity, contribute to return of acid contents into the esophagus, and make GERD symptoms more likely. Maintain an upright posture during eating and for 2 hours afterward the meal, before you go to bed.
  9. Avoid bending over or reaching below your waist for 2 hours after having a meal for any activity, such as, tying lace of the shoe or picking up items from the ground. These activities can increase the pressure on the stomach and cause reflux of acid from stomach, up into esophagus, more likely.
  10. Observe compliance with smoking cessation, if applicable. Smoking can relax the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus and can contribute to return of acid contents into the esophagus, resulting in GERD symptoms. Avoid smoking, especially after eating a meal. Smoking immediately after a full meal can significantly increase the risk for GERD symptoms.
  11. Avoid having tight clothing around the abdominal area, especially after eating meal. Tight clothing around abdomen can increase the pressure on the stomach and promote reflux of acid from stomach, up into esophagus, more likely.
 To access our database of Patient Teachings and Customizable OASIS Assessment Templates, please Sign Up