Dietary Restrictions for a Patient with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

 

The goal is to avoid food and drink that:

(1) are irritative

(2) delay gastric emptying

(3) relax the lower esophageal sphincter

 

Foods that should be avoided:

(1) spicy food

(2) citrus fruit

(3) tomatoes

(4) onions

(5) fatty foods

(6) fried food

(7) chocolate

(8) mint

 

Beverages that should be avoided or restricted:

(1) carbonated beverages

(2) coffee

(3) tea

(4) other caffeinated beverages

(5) alcohol

(6) citrus fruit juices

 

Dietary changes:

(1) Avoid large meals. Meals should be small but more frequent.

(2) Avoid eating before becoming recumbent. The interval between eating and bedtime should be 3 hours or more.