How to Manage GERD with Healthy Eating and Best Acid Reflux Recipes – Sharon Palmer, The Plant Powered Dietitian

Help manage GERD and stop acid reflux symptoms with these healthy plant-based GERD eating tips and acid reflux recipes.

Do you get uncomfortable acid reflux and heartburn from time to time? You’re not alone! And if you suffer from GERD, this troublesome condition can bother you many times a week. So, what can you do about it? Eating a plant-based diet may offer some relief from GERD, the medical term for frequent acid reflux occurring more than twice a week. A plant-based diet, including vegetarian or vegan diets, and even the plant-centric Mediterranean diet, has been shown to reduce laryngopharyngeal reflux, commonly known as acid reflux.

What Causes GERD?

GERD is caused when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) does not close properly or tighten up as it should. The LES is supposed to open up and relax when you swallow, then close after you are done swallowing and eating. When the LES malfunctions and remains open, the hydrochloric acid (HCl) from your stomach migrates back up into your esophagus, causing a burning sensation and pain. The burning can be intense, because HCl acid in the body ranges from 1-3 on the pH scale, only weaker than battery acid and stronger than lemon juice. GERD can also cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as excessive throat clearing, coughing, and chronic sore throat.

How long does acid reflux last?

It usually lasts about 2-4 hours until the food you eat goes from your stomach to your small intestine.

GERD Diet Approach

A plant-based lifestyle, such as a vegetarian or vegan diet, or even a Mediterranean eating style, maybe an ideal way to help reduce acid reflux symptoms. Plant-based eating emphasizes more whole, unprocessed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds. Research shows support for eating this way. In a recent study, acid reflux symptoms were reduced by about 40% when consuming a Mediterranean diet vs. 27% when consuming a standard diet and treating acid reflux with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), typically found as over the counter heartburn remedies such as Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium. PPIs are effective in treating acid reflux and long-term acid reflux conditions such as GERD, but research suggests there are risks from taking them. A new study found that PPIs should not be used long term because of harmful health effects. PPIs have been linked to dementia, interference with blood medications, progression of kidney disease, micronutrient deficiency, and reduction in bone mineral density.

Another 2017 study of people with acid reflux who consumed a plant-based diet of mostly fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains with high amounts of fiber showed a 63% reduction of symptoms in just six weeks. The researchers reported that a plant-based diet was more effective than using over the counter medications. It could be that plant-based foods contain phytochemicals, which have protective properties. One benefit of these phytochemicals is reducing the inflammation that may cause the unpleasant effects of acid reflux.

Along with eating a more plant-based diet, try a few other tips to manage GERD. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends eating small, frequent meals throughout the day to alleviate GERD symptoms. NIDDK also advises avoiding trigger foods such as chocolate, coffee, and greasy or spicy foods.

How to stop acid reflux at night?

In addition to these diet tips, avoid eating at least 3 hours before bedtime, elevate your head when you sleep, and sleep in loose clothing.

Going More Plant-Based for GERD

Aim for plant-based eating by focusing on whole, minimally processed fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, and legumes such as beans and lentils. If you are new to plant-based eating, you may gain inspiration from the Mediterranean diet as a starting point, which is a great transition from eating a more standard, meat-rich American diet to one that is focused primarily on plants. The Mediterranean diet also emphasizes the simple principles of eating healthy fats, and minimally processed, whole plant-based foods that are high in fiber. Healthier protein sources, such as legumes, nuts, and seeds are encouraged.

Plant-Based Eating Tips for GERD Diet and Acid Reflux Recipes

Go more plant-based to help manage GERD, with these helpful acid reflux diet tips and GERD recipes.

1. Choose Healthy Fats in Moderation

Choose healthy fats as part of your meals in moderate amounts—focus on fats from avocados, nuts, seeds, and olives. Extra virgin olive oil is the perfect oil to cook with, as well as dress your salads. It is minimally processed compared to other vegetable oils, and contains a healthy profile of fats.

2. Eat More Vegetables

Mediterranean superstars, such as green vegetables, olives, avocados, mushrooms, carrots, eggplant, onion, garlic, and bell peppers are easily accessible and easy to prepare plant-based options. Keep in mind that if tomatoes trigger acid reflux, you may need to limit these in your diet.

3. Fit Fruit in

Fruit with fibrous skin, such as berries and apples and tangy pomegranate seeds, are perfect sweet additions to a healthy eating plan. Bananas are also easy to digest and contain beneficial electrolytes. Citrus fruits are recommended due to their high antioxidant vitamin C content, but may trigger acid reflux for some people, so you may need to limit them in your diet if they are a problem.

4. Remember Fiber

Consumption of plant-based fiber-rich foods, such as lentils, beans, chickpeas, and whole grains is an integral part of a healthy plant-based lifestyle. Enjoy chickpeas in a hummus dip with whole wheat pita bread for a delicious burst of fiber.

5. Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives

Plant-based milk alternatives, such as milks, cheeses, yogurts, sour cream, and cream cheese, can be easily tolerated in your GERD friendly diet. Fortified plant-based milk, cheese, and yogurt are excellent ways to get calcium and vitamin D for bone health, too.

6. Pile on the Plant Protein

Try to include pulses, such as beans and lentils, nuts (which are also full of antioxidant vitamin E and healthy fats to promote heart health), and soy foods (tofu, tempeh, edamame) to meet your protein needs. Seeds such as flax, chia, and pumpkin, are another source of protein, as well as fiber.

7. Healthfully Hydrate

What to drink for acid reflux? Drink water as your number one source of hydration, and remember that beverages with caffeine may trigger acid reflux in some.

For other essential guides on plant-based eating for health, check out the following:

Eating for IBS on a Plant-Based Diet with Kate Scarlata
Fight Diabetes with Plants
How to Manage Kidney Disease on a Plant-Based Diet
Top Questions on Mastering Diabetes with Plant-Based Eating
Fight Hypertension with Plants!
Best Odds Diet Approach for Fighting Cancer

Main image: Lima Root Vegetable Soup from the book, California Vegan