A Diet for GERD - Learn What You Can Eat

A Diet for GERD - Learn What You Can Eat

Are you aware that 95 million people in the United States suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)? And with our fast food diets, these numbers are increasing. No one can escape this disease: adults, children and even infants are affected or suffer from acid reflux, heartburn or GERD. That's why it's important to go on a diet for GERD and learn what foods you can eat.

What causes heartburn GERD?

The physical cause of heartburn, acid reflux or GERD is when the lower esophageal sphincter (a band at the top of the stomach) relaxes, stomach acid gushes into the esophagus and literally burns it, hence the nameheartburn

Trigger events

Things that can trigger this reflux of acid into the esophagus include eating certain foods that relax the sphincter. An increase in anxiety or stress in your life, lack of exercise, and a fast food diet are major contributors to living with GERD. All of these events affect the body - the body increases acid production, the lower sphincter releases and there is a reflux of acid into the esophagus.

Increased acidity can cause other problems

Recent evidence shows that an acidic state in the body creates an environment suitable for the growth of viruses, certain bacteria and cancer. There are also results that tell us that the increase in acid production in the body may also be linked to digestive problems, respiratory problems (such as asthma), kidney problems and related heart diseases.

What are the symptoms of acid reflux?

Burning in the chest, a small solid cough, constipation and/or diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia (muscle pain), difficulty swallowing, increased headaches, vomiting and insomnia, increased gas and burping, and a sour taste in the mouth are all signs that your system has gone sour and acid has entered the esophagus.

There are natural solutions

Why would you take medications prescribed by a doctor that are usually called proton pump inhibitors and are actually only meant to be taken for a maximum of two weeks AND can seriously increase acid production in the body?

Doctors routinely like to pop pills for physical symptoms; They rarely address the cause or approach the cure from a “whole” or holistic perspective. If you find a doctor who does this, stick with him or her.

Traditional Western medical systems are designed to keep you sick, not make you better. This is the only way doctors get paid: when you are sick. And this is the only way these big pharmaceutical companies can continue to make a lot of money. They pump out drugs that 1) don't cure the problem and 2) lead to serious complications that have to be fixed with another pill that's twice as bad or worse.

On the other hand, traditional Eastern medical practices are designed to prevent you from getting sick, and this can produce amazing results. See an acupuncturist if you want to achieve pain-free results almost immediately. You will be surprised. But go see a certified practicing acupuncturist with some time under their belt.

Which foods do you combine?

Combining foods is also a cause of acid production. Most people are unaware of the fact that foods fall into one of two categories (and sometimes in between) that cause acid or alkali.

You can eat acid-causing foods in moderation if your system is in balance. If not, be careful. And combining certain foods can give you a stomach ache that makes you cry.

Eat smaller meals more often

And try not to combine foods. Alkaline foods include:

Vegetables:Asparagus, artichokes, cabbage, lettuce, onion, cauliflower, radish, swede, lamb's lettuce, peas, zucchini, red cabbage, leek, watercress, spinach, turnip, chives, carrot, green beans, beetroot, garlic, celery, grasses (straw, wheat and barley), cucumbers, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts.

Seed:Almonds, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, flax, buckwheat groats, spelt, lentils, cumin or any germinated seeds.

Drinks:Green drinks, fresh vegetable juice, water with a pH of 7.0 or higher, lemon water (pure water + fresh lemon or lime), herbal tea, vegetable broth, unsweetened soy milk or almond milk.

Whole grainAny bread that contains whole grains is immensely better for you than regular white bread.

Fats & Oils:Flax, hemp, avocado, evening primrose with olives, borage, coconut oil and other oil blends (like Udo’s Choice).

A diet for GERD consists mostly of alkaline foods until you have your acid production under control.

Inspired by Jenny Long