Dietary & Lifestyle Advice
Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition characterised by acid from the stomach leaking back up (‘refluxing’) into the oesophagus (gullet). GORD affects up to 1 in every 4 adults in the UK.
When we eat, food passes down the oesophagus into the stomach. The stomach produces acid to breakdown food, this is called digestion. There is a circular band of muscle (‘the sphincter’) where the oesophagus joins the stomach. This relaxes to allow food to pass into the stomach and should tighten to stop food and stomach acid leaking back up into the oesophagus. When this mechanism doesn’t work well, you may experience GORD symptoms.
What are the common symptoms of Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease?
- Heartburn
- Mouth or throat symptoms (bad breath, sore throat, hoarseness, feeling of lump in the throat)
- Nausea or being sick
- Difficulty swallowing
- Acid taste in the mouth
- Persistent cough
- Bloating
- Belching
- Pain in upper abdomen/chest
Treatments for GORD
- Lifestyle and dietary changes
- Over-the-counter medicines – ask your pharmacist to recommend an antacid
- Prescription medications – a GP may prescribe a protein pump inhibitor (PPI) or a H2 blocker to reduce the amount of acid that your stomach makes.
General advice
- Eat smaller meals at regular intervals
- Avoid large drinks with meals
- Avoid eating late at night and ideally eat your evening meal three to four hours before going to bed
- Avoid eating on the go and aim to relax at mealtimes
- Sit upright when eating and avoid sitting in a low chair with a tray on your lap
- Avoid bending, lifting, or lying down straight after meals
- Aim to maintain a healthy weight and reduce weight it overweight
- Stop smoking and reduce/avoid alcohol
- Sleep in a semi-upright position, try raising the head of the bed a few inches
- Avoid tight clothing around your waist
Common food and drink triggers of GORD symptoms
Specific foods can trigger GORD symptoms or make these worse. Below is a list of common food triggers. It is important to know that not everyone will have the same food triggers. Some people may find that they have multiple food triggers, whilst other will find they have very few triggers.
| Food | Drinks |
| Spicy foods | Tea or coffee (including decaf) |
| Tomato and tomato-based foods such as pasta sauces | Alcohol |
| Garlic and foods containing garlic | Citrus juices such as orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime |
| Onions and foods containing onions | Vinegar |
| Citrus fruits | Carbonated fizzy drinks |
| Chocolate | Tomato juice |
| Peppermint/mints | |
| Very salty, crispy foods (these may increase the irritation already caused by the reflux) | |
| Fried/fatty foods (e.g., pastry, creamy sauces, rich desserts, fried batter) |
Medication advice
If you are prescribed a PPI, ensure that you are taking the medication correctly (refer to manufacturers’ instructions) so that it works effectively.
Further reading
If you would like to find out more about GORD, please visit NHS patient webinars to access ‘Reflux diet and Lifestyle Advice’. The webinar can be accessed using the following web address: www.patientwebinars.co.uk/reflux
References
- Guts UK. 2024. Heartburn & Acid Reflux. [online]. Available at: https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/symptoms/heartburn-and-reflux/
- NHS. (2024). Medicines A-Z. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/. [Accessed 31 August 2024].
- NHS Somerset. (2023). Patient Webinars – Reflux Disease. [online]. Available at: https://patientwebinars.co.uk/condition/reflux-disease/webinars/reflux-diet-lifestyle-advice/
- Thomas, B. and Bishop, J., (2019). Manual of Dietetic Practice. 6th ed. Blackwell Publishing.
Contact Details
Nutrition and Dietetics
Address/based in the hospital: Agile Office, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
Monday – Friday
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