Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD) occurs when stomach acid comes back up (or regurgitates) into the esophagus. Bowel diseases like crohn’s and colitis have similar symptoms as GERD including heartburn, feeling a lump in your throat, and the “regurgitation of food or sour liquid”. While GERD and bowel disease can be impacted by many factors, including stress. Diet can either help or hinder GERD symptoms. However, in cases of bowel disease, more serious medical treatments may be needed. In this article, we will be discussing the common foods that keep GERD symptoms and heartburn at bay:

1. Ginger
The use of ginger to treat GERD is a balance. According to healthline.com, if you take the right amount can help alleviate symptoms. However, if you take too much, it can make your symptoms worse. It works as an anti-inflammatory, which can relieve symptoms of GERD. It also has the potential to reduce stomach acid from going up into your esophagus

2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a high fiber food. According to hopkinsmedicine.org, eating foods high in fiber like it can make you feel fuller and are less likely to cause symptoms associated with GERD because there is less of a chance for you to overeat, which scientists have found may contribute to symptoms of GERD

3. Low acid or noncitrus fruits
High acidic foods like citrus foods cause the esophageal sphincter to relax and remain open, which can lead to stomach acid entering the esophagus. Choosing more alkaline fruits, like bananas and melons, can help balance the PH in the stomach, likely resulting in fewer occurrences of stomach acid entering the esophagus

4. Lean meats and seafood
Lean meats like chicken breast with the skin off and baked or sauteed rather than greasy and fried are easier to digest, reducing the likelihood that symptoms of GERD will occur. Other lean meats include turkey, leaner beef, and seafood like fish, prawns, and lobster. Fatty meats tend to be higher in cholesterol and fatty acid and so choosing leaner meats can help manage symptoms of GERD

5. Egg whites
Egg whites have the same effect as lean meats. Egg yolks, just like sausage, are high in cholesterol and fat

6. Healthy fats
Fatty food can make GERD worse as saturated fats and trans fats, according to tddctx.com, can cause the “esophageal sphincter to open and induce acid reflux.” Foods like bacon, sausage, and highly processed foods aren’t a good idea. Instead, choose healthy fats like olive oil and avocados, which can help you stave off symptoms of GERD.

Another form of treatment for GERD besides the foods listed above is heartburn medication. For those that initially wonder what’s causing my heartburn, but need immediate relief before changing diet and utilizing other methods for GERD management can utilize over the counter methods like Nexium heartburn medication. According to nexium24hr.com, it can take up to four days to have its full effect. Bowel disease, like colitis and Crohn’s disease may also require medications like Stelara, Entyvio, Otezla, Kesimpta, and Linzess.