Diet Plan for GERD & Acidity

Nutrition is important in the management of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The therapeutic approach to most GERD problems involves a combination of medication and nutritional therapy. Frequent feedings are important in the case of chronic gastric problems like acidity and GERD. Patients feel more comfortable with fewer spices and bland foods. It is best to avoid a specific food or food habits that trigger acidity.

GERD / Acidity diet charts

DIET CHART FOR GERD / ACIDITY

EARLY-MORNING

Aloe Vera juice

BREAKFAST

Broken Wheat porridge / Veg Semolina (veg upma)/ Veg Vermicelli / Veg poha (Rice flakes)/ Veg Idli / Besan pancake (gram flour) / Missi Roti / Stuffed Chapatti/ Chapatti with veg or dal

MID-MORNING

Fruit / Coconut water/ Herbal tea / Green tea

LUNCH

Plain chapatti/ Boiled Rice / Vegetable + Dal / Roasted or grilled Fish / Chicken (once a week) / Curd

EVENING

Soup (Home-made) / Herbal tea / Green tea / Rice flakes snacks

DINNER

Missi chapatti / Plain chapatti / Boiled Rice / Vegetable + Dal

DIET INSTRUCTIONS

CEREALS

Cereals to be consumed

Whole wheat, Oatmeal, Whole grains cereals, Brown rice

Cereals to be avoided

White refined flour and its products

FRUITS

Fruits to be consumed

5 Almonds (soak in water overnight), Watermelon, Banana, Musk melon, Papaya, Pears, Apple, Guava

Fruits to be avoided

Citrus fruits such as Orange, Lemon, Grape fruit, Cranberry

VEGETABLES

Vegetables to be consumed

Asparagus, Green beans, Cauliflower, Pumpkin, Cabbage, Broccoli, Carrots, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Round gourd, Ash gourd, Mushroom, Soya.

Vegetables to be avoided

Garlic, Onion, Capsicum, Taro root, Potatoes, Coconut, Frozen vegetables.

PULSES

Pulses to be consumed

All washed pulses i.e. yellow lentil, Green lentil, Pink lentil, Soybean

Pulses to be avoided

Black gram, Chickpeas, Kidney beans

DAIRY PRODUCTS

Dairy Products to be consumed

Skimmed milk

Dairy Products to be avoided

Whole milk and cream, Full-fat yoghurt, Cream cheese, Condensed milk

SPICES

Spices to be consumed

Cumin, Coriander, Fennel, Mint, Fenugreek, Carmon, Turmeric

Spices to be avoided

Red chili, Green chili, Cloves, Black pepper

DRINKS

Drinks to be consumed

Coconut water, Green tea, Herbal tea, Aloe Vera juice, Bitter gourd juice, Pumpkin juice

Drinks to be avoided

Whole milk drinks, Cream based liqueurs, Canned and Packaged soup, Alcohol, Sweetened drinks, Squashes, Carbonated drinks

FLESH FOODS

Flesh Foods to be consumed

None

Flesh Foods to be avoided

All fried foods, Raw, Uncooked and Processed meat, Fish especially Selfish, Shark, Swordfish, Tuna, Burgers, Pork, Organ meat such as Liver, Kidney, Chest, Red meat, Prawns, Lobster, Crab, Lean beef, Lamb, Ham, Turkey, Rabbit, Mutton, Duck, Goose

OILS

Oils to be consumed

Cow ghee, Canola oil, Olive oil

Oils to be avoided

Unsaturated fats, Cream, Palm oil, Coconut oil, Butter

OTHER FOODS

Other Foods to be consumed

Homemade only

Other Foods to be avoided

All fried foods, Junk foods, Processed foods, Coconut bar, Sauces Fruit jellies, Jams, Refined sugar, Marmalade, Sweeteners, Chutneys, Pickle, Ice-cream.

LIFESTYLE AND DIETARY TIPS

  • Walk for at least 30-45 min is recommended.
  • Whole fruit should be preferred to fruit juices.
  • Skipping of meals should be avoided especially breakfast.
  • Seasonal fruits and vegetables should be consumed.
  • Water intake should be increased at least 8-10 glass regularly
  • Herbal Tea– Boil ½ tsp each of fennel, coriander, cumin in 3 cups of water till it’s reduced to 1 cups.
  • Amla powder- 1 tsp. daily after meals
  • Amla (Indian gooseberry) + fennel + licorice powder together 1/2 tsp. daily after meal.
  • Avoid eating too late at night.
  • Try to avoid alcohol or limit those foods that cause the most problem.
  • Do not sleep immediately after meals.
  • It is advisable to limit the intake of citrus fruits as they can lead to heartburn