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’s 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 “reflux,” into the esophagus. We call this problem “GERD.”
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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 heartburn more than twice a week, it’s likely you have GERD.
If you don’t have heartburn, you can still have GERD.
Suggested Diet for GERD
Find foods and drinks to choose and to avoid, as well as a sample menu, to help relieve or prevent GERD.
Along with the foods to avoid below, very hot or very cold food can increase reflux.
Beverages
Choose
Avoid
Skim or 1% milk.
Decaf, non-mint, and herbal teas.
Juices, except those to avoid.
Soft drink mixes, such as Crystal Lite.
Caffeine- free beverages.
Whole, 2%, and chocolate milk.
Alcohol.
Regular or decaf coffee.
Tea that has caffeine.
Mint tea.
Soda, pop, or carbonated beverages.
Citrus juices and drinks such as orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and pineapple.
Breads and grains
Choose
Avoid
All breads and grains prepared with low-fat content.
Any prepared with whole milk or high-fat content, such as sweet rolls, muffins, biscuits, and croissants.
Vegetables
Choose
Avoid
All vegetables, except those to avoid.
Fried or cream-style vegetables.
Tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Fruits
Choose
Avoid
Any fresh, canned, or cooked fruits, except those to avoid.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and pineapples.
Soups and seasonings
Choose
Avoid
All herbs and spices, except those to avoid.
Fat-free broths.
Homemade soups with lean meat, allowed vegetables (no tomatoes), and skim milk.
Cream, cheese, or tomato-based soups.
Herbs and spices found in tomato sauces such as basil, oregano, and garlic.
Chili and jalapeno peppers.
Vinegar.
Meats and substitutes
Choose
Avoid
Baked, boiled, or broiled beef, pork, lamb, veal, skinless poultry, or fish.
Low-fat lunchmeats.
Cooked dried beans and peas.
Peanut butter, if tolerated.
Eggs.
Low-fat cheeses.
Fatty or fried beef, pork, lamb, veal, poultry, and fish.
Fried eggs.
Bacon.
Sausage, hot dogs.
Pepperoni.
Fatty lunchmeats.
Fats and oils: Limit to 3 servings per day
Choose
Avoid
Butter and margarine.
Vegetable oils.
Mayonnaise.
Mildly seasoned salad dressings.
Plain cream cheese.
Fried foods.
Cream sauces and gravies.
Highly seasoned salad dressings.
Bacon fat, ham fat, lard, and salt pork.
Nuts.
Sweets and desserts
Choose
Avoid
Sugar, honey, jelly, jam, syrup, marshmallows.
Angel food cake.
Non-fat or low-fat pudding, custard, ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet.
Low-fat cookies.
Gelatin made from allowed foods.
Sweets and desserts with chocolate, peppermint, or spearmint (including flavoring).
The UPMC Digestive Disorders Center cares for a wide range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and diseases, from diagnosis to treatment. Whether your digestive condition is common or complicated, our experts can help. Upon referral from your physician, we coordinate your testing and treatment. If you have a complicated condition, we can refer you to one of UPMC’s digestive health centers of excellence. Find a GI doctor near you.
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