Foods to Avoid in GERD
Patients with GERD should avoid trigger foods including fatty/fried foods, citrus, tomato products, chocolate, coffee, tea, carbonated beverages, alcohol, and spicy foods, while implementing an antireflux diet limiting fat to no more than 45g in 24 hours. 1
Common GERD Dietary Triggers to Avoid
High-Fat Foods
- Fried foods (french fries, fried chicken, etc.)
- High-fat dairy products (ice cream, cream cheese)
- Fatty cuts of meat
- Foods containing lard
- Limit total daily fat intake to under 45g 1
Acidic Foods
- Citrus fruits and juices (oranges, lemons, grapefruit) 1, 2
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products (sauce, ketchup, salsa) 3
Beverages
- Coffee (both regular and decaffeinated) 3
- Tea 2
- Carbonated/fizzy drinks 1, 4
- Alcohol (especially wine and beer) 2, 3
Other Common Triggers
Dietary Habits to Modify
Meal Timing and Size
- Avoid eating 2-3 hours before lying down 1
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than large meals 1
- Maintain at least 4-hour interval between dinner and bedtime 3
Weight Management
- Weight loss is strongly recommended for overweight or obese patients with GERD 1
- Even modest weight gain has been associated with higher GERD symptom burden 5
Additional Lifestyle Modifications
Sleep Position
Meal Volume
- Reduce meal volume as large meals can increase esophageal reflux burden 5
Common Pitfalls in GERD Dietary Management
- Many GERD patients continue to consume trigger foods despite experiencing symptoms 2
- Failing to address both diet and other lifestyle factors simultaneously 1
- Not recognizing that dietary triggers can vary between individuals
- Overlooking the importance of weight management in GERD control 5
Evidence-Based Dietary Approaches
- Mediterranean diet has shown protective effects against reflux 3
- Very low carbohydrate diets may also help reduce GERD symptoms 3
- An antireflux diet limiting fat to no more than 45g in 24 hours is recommended 1
While individual responses to specific foods may vary, these evidence-based dietary recommendations provide a structured approach to managing GERD symptoms through dietary modification.