What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux is a chronic disease that occurs when stomach contents flow back (reflux) into the food pipe (esophagus).
It is usually caused by the failure of the muscle valve (called the lower esophageal sphincter) between the stomach and the esophagus to close properly. The backwash of stomach acid irritates the lining of the lower esophagus and causes the symptoms of heartburn.
Heartburn, which is the most common symptom of GERD, usually feels like a burning sensation behind the breastbone, moving up to the neck and throat.
That’s why we picked our logo to be a happy heart instead of heartburn and the Symbol of Gerd Friendly Food in menus is RF for Reflux Free.
TRIGGER FOODS
Below is a list of some food ingredients recognized to trigger symptoms of GERD. Restaurants that can cook meals without them will be added to our Gerd-Friendly Food List of restaurants:
- Certain Spices: black pepper, white pepper, chili, jalapeno (Avoid anything spicy)
- Garlic
- Pasta and pizza red sauce. Tomatoes and processed tomato-based products such as tomato juice cause reflux.
- Onions
- Fried & Fatty foods. Options other than fried food are considered Gerd Friendly Food.