Question

What are some nutritional strategies you can use with someone who has gerd that may not be compliant after you've educated them on which foods to avoid?

Answer 1

Diet does not cause GERD, but food can aggravate symptoms. hence, no specific diet is required

Foods which cause relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter has to be avoided by patients with GastroEsophagalRefluxDisease.

• Chocolate
• Peppermint
• Tomatoes
• Fatty foods
• coffee and tea

Advise patients to avoid milk at bed-time, since it increase gastric acid secretion

Small frequent meals help to prevent over-distention of stomach

Saliva production can be improved by using chewing gums and oral lozenges, which may help patients with mild symptoms of GERD

Tell the patient to avoid late evening meals and nocturnal snacking and to take fluids in between rather than with meals to reduce gastric distention

Certain foods (Eg;: Tomato based products, orange juice,cola,red wine) must be avoided as these beverages may irritate the esophagus