GERD: Food and Nutrition Guidelines.

1. Eat small meals - large meals can force stomach contents up into your esophagus. Eating 4 to 5 small meals throughout the day will help to eliminate this problem.

2. Avoid foods that could trigger symptoms - coffee, tea (decaffeinated and regular) spices, onions, caffeinated and/or carbonated beverages, tomatoes and tomato products, alcoholic beverages, pepper, citrus fruits (especially oranges and grapefruits), fried/fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint.

3. Avoid resting directly after eating - wait three hours after eating before lying down or bending down. This will help prevent acid from flowing back into your esophagus.

4. Watch your weight - extra body weight causes extra pressure on your stomach and this may aggravate symptoms.

5. Write it down - keep a log of what you eat and what your symptoms are. This will help you identify those foods that are triggers for you.

6. Avoid smoking - smoking relaxes the flap between your stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acid to leak up.

7. Wear loose clothing - tight clothing puts pressure on you stomach and may trigger symptoms

8. Elevate the head of your bed - this will help to keep stomach acid down while sleeping..
   

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