To determine which foods or drinks might be triggers for you, try cutting out things on this list for 2 to 3 weeks at a time and see if it helps. Â If your symptoms improve, try to avoid that food going forward.
Common gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) triggers:
- Chocolate
- Spicy foods (chili peppers, hot sauces, curry)
- Food with a high fat content (fried foods, fatty cuts of meat, etc.)
- Peppermint or spearmint
- Caffeinated drinks
- Carbonated drinks
- Tomatoes or tomato-based products (like tomato sauce, ketchup, etc.)
- Citrus fruits and juice
Alcohol can make GERD significantly worse, so it may be worth avoiding alcohol completely while you work on getting your symptoms under control. Â If you need help drinking less, please let us know.
To decrease your heartburn, try the following:
- Avoid eating 2 hours before to bedtime.
- Do not lay down after meals.
- Raise the head of your bed by 6 inches while you sleep.
- Eat slowly, and chew your food thoroughly.
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Work toward managing stress, especially at mealtimes.
Remember, it will take a few weeks to months of consistent change to notice a difference.
Lastly, if you're overweight by any amount, even 10 pounds, weight loss will help. Let us know if you need help losing weight.
While lifestyle changes resolve symptoms for some people, others may also need to add medication to control their heartburn.
Let us know if you'd like to discuss options.
Diet and lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your heartburn symptoms!
