Foods to Avoid With GERD: Change Your Diet Today

If you suffer from GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease then you most certainly will want to control your diet, thus it is important to know what foods to avoid with gerd.
It is not particularly difficult to follow a diet for gerd, but if you don't follow it then you are still going to experience the painful symptoms associated with this condition.
Acid reflux is really just one of the symptoms of GERD where the stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus causing considerable discomfort and pain.
Although, I get heartburn on occasion, it has not progressed into gerd since I am able to control the symptoms by watching what I eat. So, now let's take a look at some of the gerd foods to avoid.
Coffee and alcohol are very popular, but they also may stimulate the stomach to produce more acid than normal. Thus, they increase your chances of getting heartburn or acid reflux.
Food such as chocolate and fried or fatty food can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to weaken. This can allow the stomach acid to seep into the esophagus, which causes acid reflux. So, if you have too much stomach acid and your lower esophageal sphincter is weakened, this can increase your chances of getting Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.
Here are some other foods that can increase the chances of having the symptoms of gerd.
Tomato and tomato products
Peppermint
Onions
Garlic
Spicy Food
Carbonated drinks
Citrus fruit and juice
Keep in mind that not all these foods will adversely affect everyone. But, if you do suffer from excess stomach acid problems then you may need to limit or remove these foods from your diet.
You can also consult with a dietician or nutritionist to help plan a diet that does not contain highly acidic foods or foods to avoid with gerd.
I also found some other useful tips to follow if you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. Many people who suffer from this condition are also overweight. Losing weight will help you improve your overall health in so many areas.
Eat smaller meals. When you eat a large meal it forces the stomach to produce a lot of stomach acid, which in turn can lead to instances of acid reflux. If this happens often, then it increases the chances of developing gerd.
I am not going to preach to anyone about how bad smoking is for you but tobacco products are also not good for gerd sufferers as the lower esophageal sphincter can be weakened by these products.
If you follow a simple plan of which foods to avoid with gerd then you will most likely lessen the symptoms of this condition. Always check with your doctor before starting any diet plan

reference : http://goarticles.com/article/Foods-to-Avoid-With-GERD-Change-Your-Diet-Today/4584056/

THE RISK FACTORS OF GERD

Gastoesophageal reflux (GERD) is a clinical condition in which contents normally found within the stomach regurgitate back into the esophagus – the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. When GERD occurs, stomach contents includes; acid touch (the delicate lining of the esophagus), typically causing a burning sensation in the chest or throat that is commonly known as heartburn or acid indigestion. GERD is a frequent, recurring reflux. Patients typically experience heartburn two or more days a week, despite attempts to treat it and diet modification. GERD affects people of all ages and if untreated can cause potentially serious damage to the esophagus (over time). GERD results from a problem with the lower esophageal sphincter—the circular muscle between the esophagus and stomach that opens and closes when food or liquid is swallowed. If this muscle weakens or does not work properly, acid or bile from the stomach can move back into the esophagus (reflux). When this occurs often, damage to the esophagus can result in GERD.

All of these risk factors for GERD :

1. Obesity or over weight
2. Pregnancy
3. Tobacco cessation or smoking
4. Drinking alcoholic
5. Hiatal hernia
6. Eating certain food such as : chocolate, coffee, spicy food, high fat food content.
7. Diabetes
8. Ashma
9.  Taking certain medicines
10. Peptic ulcers

Healthy Snacks

It never fails, there’s a pang that hits our stomach around 2:30 or 3:00 in the
afternoon. This little bit of hunger is easily overcome by a healthy snack.
Instead of reaching for those chocolate chip cookies, why not some apple
wedges with a little peanut butter on them? Or, how about a glass of milk or cup
of cottage cheese? You could even grab a handful of nuts. Whole grain
products make good snacks as well. Wheat bread or bagels can make you a
nice little snack to hold you over until dinner.
For the kids, consider having some carrot sticks already peeled and sliced for
them when they come home from school. You could even have a little bowl of
broccoli florets, green peppers and carrots in a bowl with a little side of low fat
salad dressing for dipping. These are much better snacks than Jell-O, Fruit Roll-
Ups, Pop Tarts or candy bars.
Here is a little quick recipe that you can whip up in no time:
1. Can of mandarin oranges
2. Cut up banana
3. Apple
4. Nectarine
5. Strawberries
6. Blueberries
7. Raisins

Mix in the juices from the orange and serve. This is a delicious little fresh fruit
salad that you can use as a snack or even a healthy dessert.
Keeping a bowl of fresh fruit around on the table also encourages you to grab an
apple or orange instead of a handful of M&Ms.
Milk and dairy products are also important. You don’t have to buy the fattiest of
these items either. If you are a whole milk drinker, consider dropping down to
2%. You will be amazed that the taste is very similar to whole milk, but with less
fat. It is also not as watery as skim milk. You can also have some low-fat or
nonfat yogurt, puddings, cheeses and cottage cheese around.
Lunchmeats can also make a great snack. Get some healthy turkey, chicken or
ham. Pregnant women should be sure to warm these up to kill off any bacteria
before eating them, just to be on the safe side. Sandwiches that are made on
whole grain bread with low calorie mustard can be a good snack to hold you
over.
Tuna that is packed in water is the best and very easy to whip up. Peanut butter,
eggs, poultry, nuts and beans make good snacks as well.
You can also pair your fresh fruit with nonfat plain or vanilla yogurt. Add fruit to
cereal or use fresh fruit and juices to make smoothies as a quick snack or
breakfast.
For bagels that are getting a little stale, toast them and spread a little bit of
peanut butter on them. You could also use a low fat cream cheese. Or, slice
them into little thin slices and brush with a little butter. Sprinkle with a little garlic
and bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Now you have healthy bagel chips
and you didn’t waste any food.