Reflux Esophagitis Diet: Essential Tips For Better Digestion And Relief

Living with reflux esophagitis can be uncomfortable, but making the right dietary choices plays a vital role in managing symptoms and promoting healing. Adopting a structured eating pattern is crucial, such as consuming smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large ones. This helps prevent overfilling the stomach, which can trigger acid reflux.

Chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly allows for better digestion and reduces pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. Aim to eat only until you're about 70-80% full, rather than completely stuffed. It's also important to avoid foods and beverages that are known to aggravate reflux symptoms. These include strong teas, coffee, spicy or acidic foods, fatty and fried dishes, sweets, and carbonated drinks.

Avoiding alcohol and quitting smoking are additional lifestyle changes that can significantly reduce symptoms. Both substances weaken the esophageal sphincter and increase the likelihood of acid regurgitation. When it comes to meal timing, eating dinner earlier in the evening is highly recommended. Ideally, finish your last meal at least two to three hours before going to bed, and limit water intake close to bedtime to avoid nighttime reflux episodes.

After eating, stay upright or take a gentle walk to aid digestion and encourage proper gastric emptying. Lying down immediately after a meal can worsen reflux, so staying active—without engaging in intense exercise—is beneficial. For individuals who are overweight, managing weight through diet and moderate exercise is especially important. Excess abdominal fat increases pressure on the stomach, contributing to acid backflow into the esophagus.

By incorporating these dietary and lifestyle adjustments, sufferers of reflux esophagitis can experience significant symptom relief and improved quality of life.