Nutrition for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Recommended foods

• Milk and milk products
• Buttermilk
• Evaporated skim milk
• Skim or 1% low-fat milk
• Soy milk
• Nonfat or low-fat yogurt
• Powdered milk
• Nonfat or low-fat cheeses
• Low-fat ice cream
• Sherbet
• Meat and other protein foods
• Tender, well-cooked, lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs or soy prepared without added fat
• Dried beans and peas
• Nuts and nut butter (high in fat)
• Grains prepared without added fat. Choose whole grains for at least half of your grain servings.
• Vegetables prepared without added fat. Eat a variety of vegetables, especially green and orange ones.
• Fruits prepared without added fat. Eat a variety of fruits.
• Fats - limit to less than 8 teaspoons per day. Choose heart-healthy vegetable oils, such as olive or canola oil.
• Beverages
• Caffeine-free soft drinks
• Caffeine-free herbal teas except those made with peppermint or spearmint

All condiments except pepper

Foods not recommended

Try limiting or eliminating the following foods that may reduce symptoms of GERD:

• Peppermint and spearmint
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Caffeinated beverages (regular tea, coffee, colas, energy drinks, other caffeinated soft drinks)
• Decaffeinated coffee and decaffeinated regular tea (herbal teas, except those with peppermint or spearmint, are allowed)
• Pepper
• High-fat foods, including 2% milk, whole milk, cream, high-fat cheeses, high-fat yogurt, chocolate milk, cocoa
• Fried meats, bacon, sausage, pepperoni, salami, bologna, frankfurters/hot dogs
• Other fried foods (doughnuts, French toast, French fries, deep-fried vegetables)
• Nuts and nut butters
• Pastries and other high-fat desserts
• More than 8 teaspoons of oil, butter, shortening per day
• Any fruits or vegetables that cause symptoms. (Varies from person to person.)

Lifestyle Tips

• Exercise at least three or four times each week.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Do not smoke.
• Raise the head of your bed 6 to 9 inches. Place a foam wedge under the top part of the mattress or prop up the legs on the head of the bed with wooden blocks. (Stacking pillows is not effective.)
• Wait 3 hours after eating before lying down.
• Eat several small meals throughout the day.
• Eat in a calm, relaxed place. Sit down while you eat.

Learn how the right nutrition can help you control your health condition. Ask your primary care physician to refer you to Goshen Hospital Nutrition Therapy.

For more information about nutrition therapy services offered at Goshen Hospital, call (574) 364-2679 .