GERD sufferers, please critique my diet (vegetables, Alli, overweight, allergy)

[Skywings]

I'm at a complete loss to understand how my diet could possibly either cause or aggravate acid reflux (which it feels like I have had for at least a month, after a 3-week bout with some kind of cold virus from hell). This has been my standard normal diet/eating habits for the past 2 years and I don't see one thing that could have suddenly triggered this. Can anyone spot any likely culprit(s) that I missed???

WHAT I DO NOT EAT:
Any kind of alcohol; caffeine; anything fried; red meat (beef, veal, lamb or pork); fish (I take a Carlsons SuperOmega3 fish oil capsule daily instead); anything with whole egg (I do use egg white only, instead); garlic, onion, leeks or scallions (allergic); asparagus; kiwifruit (allergic); grapefruit; orange or grapefruit juice; tomato sauces or cream sauces (I don't eat pasta); nothing spicy (only minimal use of basic spices in cooking); no chocolate since 1/1/08.

I pay close attention to the amount of sodium in any packaged foods, looking for things that either are salt-free or have less than 100 mg per serving. At home I use "light" salt (50/50 sodium/potassium chloride) and even that sparingly.

I eat nothing containing trans fats, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.

I limit my intake of saturated fats and the only oil I use is first cold pressed extra-virgin olive oil.

Citrus (orange or lemon) is used only in small amounts in cooking. Tomato used only occasionally in cooking, and in small amounts. But I have not used any of these since I started having this weird "raw/burning" sensation in my esophagus. (btw I do not and have never smoked, and won't even go near anyone who does)

WHAT I DO EAT:

Dairy: Either skim or 1% milk only. Lowfat feta cheese very rarely (maybe twice a year), otherwise no cheese. No ice cream. I was eating Oikos Organic nonfat vanilla Greek style yogurt daily until a few days ago.

Grains/Cereals: Rice (brown and wild), oats, whole wheat (including bulgur and wheatberries), barley. Organic high fiber/high protein cereal daily. Steel-cut oatmeal. Homemade bread occasionally (maybe twice a month); no store-bought breads.

Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans (all in moderation, no more than ¼ cup/day, usually not even that).

Fresh fruits: Apples, bananas, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, pineapple. Raisins, prunes (dried plums), dried cranberries. White grapes once in awhile. Canned pineapple in its own juice only. Drained canned sliced peaches once in awhile. Organic plain unsweetened applesauce occasionally.

Juices: Apple or pomegranate. Pineapple or orange juice only used in cooking.

Vegetables: Broccoli, carrots, peas, corn, celery (cooked), cauliflower, eggplant, zucchini, summer (yellow) squash, butternut squash, brussels sprouts, green beans, mushrooms. Potatoes (either baked or boiled) no more than once a month. Veggies always either fresh or frozen/steamed, and also included in homemade soups. Soup is made with either homemade vegetable broth or organic low-sodium (<50 mg/serving) fat-free chicken broth.

Chicken: white (breast) meat only; only roasted or broiled; all skin removed.

Legumes: Garbanzo beans, black beans, kidney beans, aduki beans, mung beans, lentils. Tofu. Peanuts in small amounts in cooking or granolas.

Any suggestions on what I should remove from this list? I've tried to find info about whether beans are okay for GERD or not, but none of the lists I've seen say one way or the other. Not only do I really love garbanzo beans (chickpeas) but as you can see they are really my major protein source and I would hate to have to give them up.

Any ideas greatly appreciated! I should mention that what I'm experiencing is more of a "throat burn" than "heartburn". I did go to an ENT doctor the other day who said he saw no problems above the larnyx and said "stop eating spicy foods". Brilliant!

I have no health insurance, and hate doctors in general, and so am trying to figure this out as best I can before having to turn to some specialist who will immediately either reach for his pill samples drawer and prescription pad, or order a flotilla of expensive tests for every condition known to modern man...

[HighlandsGal]

Wow! You follow a really healthy diet The only thing I can think of if maybe the pineapple because of the acid??

[suzeeq521]

I suffer nearly constanly from reflux. Mine is cause by a birth defect of the esophagus and what they had to do to treat it. I will always have it and I have found some things help that aren't directly connected to what I eat.

First of all, I was really interested in the fact that you said this followed a nasty virus - did you have sinus symptoms with this virus? I know that for me, sinus symptoms, especially post-nasal drip can lead to horrible heart & throat burn. **Grossness** but it is almost like the drip gets in my throat/upper esophagus then can't get anywhere else. Yuck. But I always notice my symptoms are worse after a sinus incident.

Next, for me, it is very important to not lay down flat. Even slightly elevating the head of my bed helps. I have done this with wooden boards or thick city telephone books. Recently, I was able to get an adjustable bed, so on my worst nights, I can sleep nearly upright - most folks won't need to be this extreme. This helps, because it keeps the pressure off the spincter muscle that connects the stomach to the esophagus. Pressure causes it to open, letting "stuff" back into the esophagus or even throat. (I have to be more extreme because my spincter muscle is non-functional.) Try not to eat to much times that you feel you must lay flat (say, before working out and doing sit-ups/crunches.)

Relatedly, try to avoid big meals - smaller ones more often. Being full can also put pressure on this muscle.

I hope these help. If I think of any of the other things I do, I'll be sure to post them.

[Beth56]

Stay away from all citrus, especially pineapple (acidic), and no tomato products. Pineapple gives me the worst heartburn ever. I would also stop eating beans temporarily. They can cause intestinal gas which can affect GERD. Do not eat anything 3 hours prior to bedtime. Wear loose fitting clothing.

Try taking these things out of your diet completely. After a couple of weeks if you see improvement, add one item at a time back in. Perhaps you will find the trigger.

You may also want to consider an allergy or sensitivity to some food that's causing this. I see you have other food allergies. Elimination from diet and then adding back in may help find it. Otherwise, you will need allergy tests.

If you are a little overweight, I would try to lose a few pounds. And walk daily too.

One other thought, have you ever tried digestive enzyme's?

That's about all I can offer right now. Your diet is very healthy. Good luck with this.

[Skywings]

Originally Posted by suzeeq521

First of all, I was really interested in the fact that you said this followed a nasty virus - did you have sinus symptoms with this virus?

Yes, although it started out in my throat, with one of the worst sore throats I've ever had. I had a fever of between 100-102 for the first 3 days. Within the first two days this thing settled in my chest and I had a horrible cough for at least 2 weeks. It didn't go into my head/nose/sinuses until the end of the first week but honestly it was a full 3 weeks before I felt normal. Usually I'm over any cold in 7-10 days but not this one. I was literally living on chicken soup for the first week (lost five lbs!) and drinking gallons of water to help break up the chest congestion. (Due to having syncope I can't take decongestants) The scratchy throat has never entirely gone away, only 'extended' further downward. I've always slept on 2 pillows, never flat, and whenever I'm congested I use 3 pillows. I will say that this thing, whatever it is, doesn't bother me at night. Once I'm asleep I stay that way, and I feel fine in the morning. It usually doesn't kick in until I've been up for at least a couple of hours.

[Skywings]

Originally Posted by Beth56

Stay away from all citrus, especially pineapple (acidic), and no tomato products. Pineapple gives me the worst heartburn ever. I would also stop eating beans temporarily. They can cause intestinal gas which can affect GERD. Do not eat anything 3 hours prior to bedtime. Wear loose fitting clothing.

Try taking these things out of your diet completely. After a couple of weeks if you see improvement, add one item at a time back in. Perhaps you will find the trigger.

You may also want to consider an allergy or sensitivity to some food that's causing this. I see you have other food allergies. Elimination from diet and then adding back in may help find it. Otherwise, you will need allergy tests.

If you are a little overweight, I would try to lose a few pounds. And walk daily too.

One other thought, have you ever tried digestive enzyme's?

That's about all I can offer right now. Your diet is very healthy. Good luck with this.

Thanks, Beth! I did stop eating pineapple and tomato, even in tiny amounts, about 10 days ago; no noticeable change. Amazingly, I don't get gas from beans! (luckily for me) I'm 5' 5" and my weight hovers between 115 and 120 lbs, depending on the day ... so no problem there. Actually I'm closer to 115 now because I'm being cautious about how much I eat. I've read about digestive enzymes but am not sure which ones to take. Do they work in the stomach or in the intestines? I have read cautions about protease so wouldn't want to try that but thought about trying the plant-based ones (amylase and lipase?). One other thing, it never bothers me while I am eating but will start about 10 mins after I finish (yes I've actually timed it lately, how weird is that?). Yesterday while driving I drank some water (Poland Spring as usual) and that caused some 'burning' to start up a couple of minutes later --- from water??? I had last eaten anything about 2-3 hours before, so my stomach was empty at the time. Since then I have only had small amounts of water with food rather than on an empty stomach. But honestly: plain WATER???!

[Six Foot Three]

What about your Grains as many are intolerent to them. Sometimes i get Gerd from Oatmeal even though i love it so i have to make sure i don't over do it on them. Some people have Celiac do to the Wheat Protein Gluten so you might want to explore that possibility.

[crazyworld]

I too suffer from GERD with a hiatial hernia and I had a bad caseof gastritis on top.

I wastold that the only thing I should be drinking is water, apple juice and grape juice. No citrus no tomatoes. What triggered mine off believe it or not was eating really healthy. I would then get severe pains in my back, ribs and chest which sent me to the hospital twice...but I was taking Advil........................but it constantly felt as though something was still lodged in my throat. Had a gastroscopy and a change of meds (to Prevacid which works well). But there was so much swelling due to the erosion that it felt as though something was lodged.
I ended up having a CT Scan..............

This wrecked havoc on me for 4 weeks and they told me thatitwill take 4-6 weeks.

I noticed you said you are taking Fish Oil pills...I had to stop those as they were reacting against my medication.

Good Luck, I feel your pain but I would contact a gastoenterologist so they can get inside.....Doesn't hurt.

[Beth56]

Originally Posted by Skywings

Thanks, Beth! I did stop eating pineapple and tomato, even in tiny amounts, about 10 days ago; no noticeable change. Amazingly, I don't get gas from beans! (luckily for me) I'm 5' 5" and my weight hovers between 115 and 120 lbs, depending on the day ... so no problem there. Actually I'm closer to 115 now because I'm being cautious about how much I eat. I've read about digestive enzymes but am not sure which ones to take. Do they work in the stomach or in the intestines? I have read cautions about protease so wouldn't want to try that but thought about trying the plant-based ones (amylase and lipase?). One other thing, it never bothers me while I am eating but will start about 10 mins after I finish (yes I've actually timed it lately, how weird is that?). Yesterday while driving I drank some water (Poland Spring as usual) and that caused some 'burning' to start up a couple of minutes later --- from water??? I had last eaten anything about 2-3 hours before, so my stomach was empty at the time. Since then I have only had small amounts of water with food rather than on an empty stomach. But honestly: plain WATER???!

Water - Yes, I can also get heartburn from water.

Some think water raises the acids in your stomach. And there are some who say heartburn is a major symptom of dehydration. Drugs and stress can also cause heartburn. Wheat and dairy are known as common triggers for heartburn. The lists go on and on.

The only thing I can say is try to eliminate one thing at a time from your diet for about a week, then introduce it back in. See what happens.

Beyond that, I think you should be evaluated by a professional. Upper GI problems could also be from an ulcer, hernia, gallbladder, etc. Please don't put your health in jeopardy because you don't like doctors or don't have insurance. Most health professionals will give you a discount. Even my local hospital will discount cash patients 70%.

Whatever you decide, I wish you well. Beth

[crazyworld]

One of the things that helped me was (saline spray) like Ocean......and Mucinex breaks up all that post nasal drip. If you have the erosion in your throat it takes time....