For diet-controlled GERD, or at least maintaining a low occurrence of acid reflux symptoms, you’ll need to consider and reconsider the things you eat.  For instance, if you enjoy a good, hearty steak, baked potato and a salad with ranch dressing but hate the burning indigestion and heartburn you’ll suffer later, here are some hints for you.  When choosing a steak, you’ll want a lean cut, not a marbled steak loaded with fat.  The baked potato is a good choice, however it’s what we put on it that causes our acid reflux pain.  Plan on eating a naked baked potato unless you have access to fat-free or low-fat sour cream and cheeses.  For the salad, skip the ranch and choose something low-fat or fat-free.  There are several tasty Italian dressings that might suit your fancy. 

Because your stomach is sending acid all the way up into your esophagus, you’ll want to refrain from eating foods high in acid.  You definitely don’t want to cause any further damage and allow the esophagus time to heal.  Orange juice and lemonade are big no-no’s.  Instead, grab yourself a glass of apple juice or eat a banana.  Strawberries and blueberries are also good GERD diet foods.  Vegetables that will likely not exacerbate your pain are broccoli, cabbage, green beans and carrots.  Raw onions are harsh, but cooked onions don’t cause too much of a problem. 

The next time you are planning your menu for the week or dining out, consider buying or ordering more natural, whole grains and less processed foods.  Tomatoes are loaded with acid, therefore marinara and tomato based sauces are not good for acid reflux sufferers.  Play around with your recipes at home or make special requests while in a restaurant.  Remember, the best way to control symptoms is to avoid them altogether.  With simple diet modifications, your GERD may just get under much better control.  And your tummy will thank you for it!