[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/gerd-symptoms-treatment\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/gerd-symptoms-treatment\/","headline":"The Right Diet For GERD: Suggested Foods and Sample Menu","name":"The Right Diet For GERD: Suggested Foods and Sample Menu","description":"Learn about and GERD symptoms and the foods you should avoid to help relieve symptoms.","datePublished":"2016-01-05","dateModified":"2022-08-01","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","name":"Digestive Disorders","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/digestive-disorders\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gerd.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/Gerd.jpg","height":326,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/gerd-symptoms-treatment\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Nutrition"],"wordCount":826,"keywords":["gastroesophageal reflux disease","GERD","heartburn"],"articleBody":"GERD is short for gastroesophageal (GAS-trow-ee-soff-uh-GEE-ol) reflux disease.When we eat, food passes from the throat and into the stomach through a tube. This tube is the esophagus (ee-SOFF-uh-gus). Sometimes it\u2019s called the food pipe.At the bottom is a ring of muscles that acts as a valve between the esophagus and stomach. This is the lower esophageal (ee-soff-uh-GEE-ol) sphincter (ss-FINK-ter).These muscles in the lower esophagus can become weak.Food, smoking, and alcohol may weaken the sphincter, so it may stop closing properly.The contents in the stomach then may leak back, or \u201creflux,\u201d into the esophagus. We call this problem \u201cGERD.\u201dGERD Signs and SymptomsHeartburn\u00a0is the most common symptom of GERD.When acid in the stomach refluxes, it touches the lining of the esophagus. This can cause a burning feeling in your chest or throat. We call this sensation heartburn or acid indigestion.You can have heartburn once in a while without having GERD. But if you have\u00a0heartburn more than twice a week, it\u2019s likely you have GERD.If you don\u2019t have heartburn, you can still have GERD. People with GERD and no symptoms of heartburn may experience trouble swallowing or hoarseness of the voice in the mornings. GERD also can cause a dry cough and\/or bad breath.Suggested Diet for GERDFollowing are foods and drinks to choose and to avoid, as well as a sample menu, to help relieve or prevent GERD.Spicy foods, fried foods, dairy products, or highly acidic foods can trigger the symptoms of GERD. Lean protein and high-fiber foods can help balance out the harsh effect of acid reflux.Along with the foods to avoid below, very hot or very cold food can increase reflux.Beverages for GERDChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Skim or 1% milk.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Non-dairy milks such as Almond, oat, or soy milk\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decaf, non-mint, and herbal teas.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Juices, except those to avoid.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soft drink mixes, such as Crystal Lite.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Caffeine- free beverages.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Whole, 2%, and chocolate milk.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Alcohol.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Regular or decaf coffee.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tea that has caffeine.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mint tea.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Soda, pop, or carbonated beverages.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Citrus juices and drinks such as orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and pineapple.Grains and starches for GERDChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All breads and grains prepared with low-fat content.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Potatoes\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sweet Potatoes\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any prepared with whole milk or high-fat content, such as sweet rolls, muffins, biscuits, and croissants.Fruits and vegetables GERDChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All vegetables, except those to avoid.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Any fresh, canned, or cooked fruits, except those to avoid.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fried or cream-style vegetables.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tomatoes and tomato sauce.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and pineapples.Soups and seasonings for GERDChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All herbs and spices, except those to avoid.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fat-free broths.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Homemade soups with lean meat, allowed vegetables (no tomatoes), and skim milk.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cream, cheese, or tomato-based soups.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Herbs and spices found in tomato sauces such as basil, oregano, and garlic.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chili and jalapeno peppers.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vinegar.Meats and proteins for GERDChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Baked, boiled, or broiled beef, pork, lamb, veal, skinless poultry, or fish.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Low-fat lunchmeats.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cooked dried beans and peas.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Peanut butter, if tolerated.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eggs.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Low-fat cheeses.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Beans and Tofu\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Other plant based meat substitutes like Impossible or Beyond burger\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fatty or fried beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry, and fish.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fried eggs.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bacon.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sausage, hot dogs.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pepperoni.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fatty lunchmeats.Fats and oils for GERDIf you have GERD, be sure to limit your fat and oil intake to only three servings per day.ChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Butter and margarine.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vegetable oils.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mayonnaise.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mildly seasoned salad dressings.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plain cream cheese.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fried foods.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cream sauces and gravies.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Highly seasoned salad dressings.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bacon fat, ham fat, lard, and salt pork.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nuts.Sugars, sweets, and desserts for GERDChooseAvoid\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sugar, honey, jelly, jam, syrup, marshmallows.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Angel food cake.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Non-fat or low-fat pudding, custard, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Low-fat cookies.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gelatin made from allowed foods.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sweets and desserts with chocolate, peppermint, or spearmint (including flavoring).\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 High-fat pastries.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Nuts.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hard or cream-filled candy.\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Chewing gum. Sample Menu for GERD DietBreakfast\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3\/4 cup cereal\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 cup skim or 1% milk\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 egg, poached\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 slice toast or bread\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 teaspoon margarine\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Caffeine-free drinkMid-Morning Snack\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/2 cup canned fruit (non-citrus)\u00a0or\u00a01 small, fresh fruit (non-citrus)Lunch\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3 oz. chicken\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/2 cup rice\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/2 cup spinach\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 teaspoon margarine\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/2 cup fruit juice (non-citrus)Mid-Afternoon Snack\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5 saltine crackers\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/4 cup low-fat cottage cheeseDinner\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3 oz. baked fish\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 medium potato\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1\/2 cup carrots\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 teaspoon margarine\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1 cup skim or 1% milk\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WaterOther Tips for Managing GERDHere are a few other tips for managing your GERD symptoms:Avoid eating large meals, especially late at night.Avoid smoking.Avoid alcohol and coffee.Avoid very hot or very cold foods.Maintain a good, upright posture while eating.Avoid certain medicines, such as aspirinAchieve and maintain a healthy weight.Avoid wearing clothes that are tight around the belly while eating.Learn more about GERD treatment at UPMC\u2019s Esophageal and Lung Surgery Institute.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on January 5, 2016, and was last reviewed on July 29, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"01","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/01\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Right Diet For GERD: Suggested Foods and Sample Menu","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/01\/gerd-symptoms-treatment\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]