Patient was educated on measures to plan for a GERD diet recommendation as follows:
- Reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus results in GERD symptoms.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
