GERD Diet and Lifestyle Management Plan

Understanding Your GERD Diet

Foods to Avoid

• Citrus fruits and juices
• Tomato-based products
• Chocolate
• Mint and peppermint
• Spicy foods
• Fatty or fried foods
• Coffee and caffeinated beverages
• Carbonated drinks
• Alcohol

Recommended Foods

• Lean meats and proteins
• Non-citrus fruits
• Green vegetables
• Complex carbohydrates
• Low-fat dairy products
• Ginger (may help reduce symptoms)

Eating Habits

Timing and Portions

1. Eat smaller meals more frequently
2. Avoid eating 2-3 hours before bedtime
3. Sit upright for at least 1 hour after meals

Meal Guidelines

• Chew thoroughly
• Eat slowly
• Stop eating when feeling comfortably full
• Maintain a healthy weight

Lifestyle Modifications

Sleep Position

• Elevate head of bed 6-8 inches
• Use a wedge pillow if needed
• Sleep on left side when possible

Activity Guidelines

• Wait 2 hours after eating before exercise
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes
• Maintain good posture during and after meals

Monitoring and Management

Keep a Food Diary

• Record foods eaten
• Note timing of symptoms
• Track trigger foods

When to Contact Your Doctor

• Persistent symptoms despite diet changes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chest pain

Additional Tips

• Stay hydrated with water (avoid drinking during meals)
• Consider eating non-citrus fruits as snacks
• Replace fatty foods with lean proteins
• Use herbs instead of spices for flavoring