Will changing my diet affect GERD?

To reduce symptoms of GERD, you need to:

avoid foods that trigger your symptoms
eat more frequent, smaller meals since overeating can cause symptoms

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Certain foods may affect how well the lower esophageal sphincter works or irritate the tissues that line the esophagus . If you have GERD, you need to avoid foods that cause these problems. You should also eat smaller, more frequent meals, because large meals may increase your risk of reflux.

What foods should I avoid?

Here are some common types of foods that may be playing a role in your GERD. These recommended dietary changes don't mean you're restricted to a bland diet. With planning, you can enjoy tasty meals and still control GERD.

Type of Food	Specific Foods	How the Food Causes Symptoms
High-fat foods	cheese fatty beef hot dogs	slows the emptying of the stomach's contents, which increases the risk of reflux weakens or prevents the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES, from working properly
Fried foods	donuts French fries	slows the emptying of the stomach's contents weakens or prevents the LES from working well
Tomato-based products	barbecue sauce chili ketchup pizza salsa spaghetti sauce tomato juice tomatoes	irritates the lining of the esophagus
Citrus-based products	lemonade lemons limes orange juice oranges pineapple	irritates the lining of the esophagus
Some candies	cake candy, including chocolate, peppermint, and spearmint cookies hot cocoa	weakens or relaxes the LES
Alcohol	beer hard liquor	relaxes the LES
Caffeinated drinks	coffee tea	irritates the lining of the esophagus may weaken the LES
Carbonated beverages	seltzer/club soda soft drinks	may cause the stomach to distend and cause reflux
Spicy foods	curries garlic hot sauce jalepeno peppers/hot peppers mustard onion salsa	irritates the lining of the esophagus weakens or prevents the LES from working well