GERD / Acid Reflux Diet Tips
Use these tips for good digestion everyday
You can help keep your digestive system healthy and functioning well. Here are some tips that you can put into practice everyday.
Diet
- As part of a diet for those with acid reflux (GERD), eat small portions at each meal. It's better to have 4 or 5 small meals a day than to eat a lot at one time.
- Keep a list of foods that aggravate your heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux disease. And avoid those foods. In your diet, try to avoid some of the foods that tend to be bothersome:
- citrus fruits
- chocolate
- drinks with caffeine such as coffee or soda
- fatty and fried foods
- garlic and onions
- peppermint
- spicy foods
- tomato-based foods such as spaghetti sauce, and pizza
Lifestyle
- Avoid smoking, which is harmful to your overall health and may contribute to acid reflux.
- Avoid tight clothing, which can put extra pressure on your stomach and worsen symptoms of acid reflux.
- Watch your weight. Extra pounds can increase pressure on your stomach.
Sleep
- Try sleeping with your head elevated. Insert a wedge under your mattress. By keeping your head higher than your torso, you can help to keep stomach acid from flowing back into your esophagus and help avoid nighttime heartburn.
- Wait at least 2-3 hours before going to bed after a meal. Lying down soon after a meal can cause stomach contents to flow back into your esophagus and cause acid reflux or heartburn.
- Try sleeping on your left side. Research shows that this position can help with reflux.
Next page: Online Acid Reflux Disease Resources

