GORD is a digestive problem that the stomach contents, including acid, reflux into the esophagus. Diet and nutrition play an important part in its management of GORD.
The foods that cause symptoms are different for everyone, so it is helpful to record food intake and symptoms to recognize particular foods that aggravate problem.
Some foods to avoid or reduce include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Drinks containing caffeine
- Alcohol
- Fatty or fried foods
- Spicy foods and pepper
- Soft drinks
- Chocolate
- Rich cakes and biscuits
- Mint and peppermint
- Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons.
- Some acidic foods such as tomatoes and vinegar
- Some vegetables including onions, garlic, cucumber and capsicum
- Processed meats such as salami and bacon
Other recommendation
- Lose weight if you are overweight or obese
- Cut back on alcohol
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Don’t eat quickly.
- Eat plenty of high fibre foods
- Drink 6-8 glasses water daily
- Drink fluids BETWEEN meals and snacks
- Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before you go to bed
- Do not lie down straight after eating
- Raise the bed head
- Have regular exercise
- Don’t eat before exercise
- Stop smoking
A sample guide for reflux
This menu plan contains 35 – 40 g of fat and 30 g of fibre.
Breakfast – a bowl of high fibre cereal such as untoasted muesli, weetbix or porridge with fresh or tinned fruit and reduced fat or skim milk and/ or wholemeal or grain toast with minimal margarine and honey or vegemite. Tea.
Lunch – sandwiches made with wholemeal bread with low fat cheeses, lean meats, tinned fish and salad. Skip the margarine. Tinned or fresh fruit with low fat yoghurt. Water, tea or diluted juice.
Main Meal – chicken and vegetable stir fry with minimal oil. Served with steamed rice. Iced water with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.
Snacks – fresh fruit, low fat yoghurt, low fat crackers such as rice crackers, or microwaved pappadums. Water, tea or diluted juice. Avoid high fat snacks such as potato crisps, corn chips and cheese and crackers
Barrett’s esophagus
Barrett’s is a complication of GORD which increase the risk of lower oesophagus cancer.
Barrett’s symptoms are usually similar to regular heartburn
Symptoms
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Blood in vomit or stool
- Difficulty swallowing solid foods
Risk factors
- Gender (male)
- Family history of Barrett’s
- ethnicity (white)
- Age (over 50)
- Smoking
- Abdominal fat
Recommendation
Dietary recommendations are similar to dietary recommendations for GORD