Eating to Prevent GERD / Acid Reflux / Heartburn

[This is part 2 of a 5-part series on Eating to Prevent GERD.]

Eating smaller meals generally means eating more often. By having a smaller breakfast it's possible that by mid-morning you will need more calories. Also, having a snack will help keep a little something in your stomach. For a lot of people this strategy helps prevent the reflux that goes along with larger meals.

Generally choosing an item from the breakfast suggestions is a good place to start for your mid-morning snack. Some people do well with having a smoothie early in the morning and waiting until later to eat their half bagel and cream cheese or cereal.

If you are at work at the time of your snack, it may be more practical to choose items like fruit or nuts. Likewise, keeping a cup of non-fat sugar-free yogurt at hand makes a terrific mid-morning snack.

There are fruits that some people with GERD can tolerate because they have less acid. Bananas, pears, peaches, cantaloupe, cherries and mangoes are often tolerated well. Papaya can be a good choice because it contains papain, which is an enzyme that helps break down proteins in the stomach.

Next: Step 3: The GERD-Friendly Lunch »