Acid Reflux Diet And A Lifestyle Change Could Help Prevent GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or GERD is the regurgitating or flowing back of stomach acids upwards to your esophagus or lower esophageal sphincter muscle (LES).  This symptom is commonly called heartburn and, since your eating habits usually has a big influence on this, could usually and easily be minimized or cured by a good acid reflux diet.  And just like any other diets, it’s going to start as a self-battle between what you wanted to change (or cure) and what you want to enjoy (your favorite foods.)

As this involves sacrificing the pleasurable experience of enjoying your favorite foods, it would be a good idea to start planning your acid reflux diet by striving to come up with the best meal preparations of the foods you are allowed to eat.  The internet is a very good source of finding acid reflux diet menus that are not only healthy but are also palatable to your taste.  One good measure that you can keep up with your acid reflux diet is to keep it as attractive as your usual favorite meals.  Rule of thumb: less acid, more alkaline foods.  Given the right initiative and a good search in the internet or a consultation with your dietician would make your diet plan easier.  

Greasy foods or foods with high fat content are supposed to be on top of your list of food groups to avoid.  These are hard to digest, and would require your stomach to produce more acids.  As acids are your number one enemies, you should also avoid acidic foods such as citrus and other fruits, and acidic fruit juices.  Coffee (even the decaffeinated ones) cigarettes and alcohol also create an adverse effect on the stomach so they should be taken in moderation, if not completely avoided.  

Since each person has his own level of tolerance for different things, it is safe to conclude that a certain food that is bad for your acid reflux could be all right for the other person.  It is important then, if possible, that you visit your doctor at the onset of your acid reflux diet for proper guidance.  A food diary could also help.  You could have a better idea of what food works for you by recording in your food diary all the food that you eat and reflecting on it the reaction your body gives.  You will find out then, or get a confirmation, that certain foods serve as triggers to your gastroesophageal reflux disease or heartburn.  This list could be your concrete guide in further fine-tuning your acid reflux diet.

A slight change in your lifestyle besides your eating habits should also be effected.  Since being overweight usually means a wider girth, a larger stomach means more pressure in this area causing stomach acids to easily flow back up to your esophagus.  An acid reflux diet also means not only avoiding fatty and acidic foods but also striving to reduce weight.  Regular exercise, not lying down within two to three hours after each meal, lessening the after-work visit to your favorite bar, avoiding cigarettes, and developing and sticking to a stress-management regimen would greatly help.