GERD

[Mayfly]

I am concerned that I have GERD, but the treatments recommended online are : cut back on fatty food and avoid caffeine. As I follow Low Carb, fat has an important role in my life, and I drink BPC. Do other members have the same problem? Over the counter medicines don't help, I am not sleeping well now and this morning I feel like my breathing is a bit restricted. I have an appointment with my doctor at the end of the week in which I am sure he will delight in telling me that I should have listened to him and cut back on fat.

 

[mariavontrapp]

Could you investigate further the different types of fat that you could eat? For example, do a lot of your fats come from dairy or processed meats, or do you eat a full range including nuts and avovados. I have found that some fats agree with me better than others and I definitely can't stomach bullet proof coffee, in fact I don't understand it and would rather eat nothing than use it to bump up my fats.

 

[Chook]

I used to have GERD but it went after a few months of low carbing.

I can't drink bullet proof coffee either (makes me nauseous) and I don't go out of my way to increase the fat in my diet. If you think the fat disagrees with you then cut back on it and add something else that you can tolerate. If I were you I'd experiment until I've found the culprit causing the GERD then design your diet around not having that particular item.

I definitely agree with restricting caffeine - even now, when I haven't had GERD for over a year - I know that one mug of coffee or can of cola with caffeine in will bring the GERD back for a day or two.

 

[Mayfly]

Ah! That’s very helpful. I think that cream is causing me a problem, but I have trouble stomaching coconut oil, and I loathe avocadoes. I can’t even hide them in stuff, they are like bananas and I feel nauseous afterwards. I may have to stop drinking BPC then and once again, I may have to turn my thinking on my head, and throw out everything I know about low carbing! I have tried intermittent fasting, which I was told was dangerous because your body will feel as though it is starving and will slow down your metabolism to compensate. Having said that, when I fast, I lose weight. It’s the only that makes me lose weight these days, so I’m becoming convinced that due to my age, I may naturally need less fuel. I don’t adhere to this “Calories in, calories out” theory, however, I think that that we need to eat less when we hit a certain time in our lives. I may be disrupting my natural metabolism again (which I did when I yo-yo dieted in my youth).

I am going to try fasting tonight - it’s frustrating that when I make a decision, I tend to feel hungry, but when I actually listen to my body, it tends not to get hungry at night. So I’ll keep up with breakfast, and not have supper. I am also thinking about doing more exercise to lower my BG’s.

I’ve just been through a time where I was basically eating anything I wanted, and I have to get back on track. A new start is probably a good idea, but I’ve spent a week back on low carb, and this is the first time the GERD has been so noticeable. I did drink lots of coffee yesterday with LOTS of cream. I want to finish up the coffee I have, so I will drink that in the morning, and then I will switch to herbal tea, and I’ll drink non-caffeine stuff in the evening. Do you get on with the milk alternatives? I’ve tried Almond milk and hated it. Is coconut milk carb friendly? People are saying it’s really healthy but I distrust the general opinions, and like to ask people who are in the same boat.

Finally, I think I have a problem health wise anyway which could be shooting my BG’s up at this time. So it may be that as well, but obviously, I want to do the best for my health now.

 

[Brunneria]

Whoever told you that Intermittent Fasting puts you into Starvation Mode was incorrect.
It is long term low calorie diets that cause Starvation Mode.

Intermittent Fasting (when done 'properly') can actually increase the metabolic rate.
Jason Fung explains it very well in his blog, here:
https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/difference-calorie-restriction-fasting-fasting-27/

Re your GERD, I agree that fatty foods may make GERD seem worse.
My acid reflux disappeared within 2 days of dropping grains (gluten) completely. And it reappears within 3 days of going back on them. So I can testify that foods can be a major factor. But there is no reason why your trigger need be the same as mine.
Good luck with tracking it down though - and if avoiding the high fat helps until you do, then go for it!

Although as you say, if your GERD has increased in the week you have been back on LC, then the first thing to do is to look at what changes introductions you have made. Coconut milk and coconut cream are great for LC. Also almond and other nut milks.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Eliminating tomatoes and onions in anything is the best solution.

 

[Chook]

I enjoy cream in coffee at weekends and I like it in cauliflower mash and other cooked dishes but I don't have much of it. Less than a small tub a week.

I'm with @Brunneria about the intermittant fasting - I've done it on many occasions and actually quite enjoy it. When I'm dong it I normally go from dinner round til dinner - I've never attempted a prolonged fast.

If you are kick starting your low carb then why not make a list of all the foods you like that don't cause you digestive problems then cross off any that are a bit too high in carbs. I won't ever eat something I don't like because someone tells me its good for me.

Just a thought.... you might find is a combination of ingredients that cause your GERD - my stepfather only ever got it if he had cream and wine for the same meal. He liked both but if both together meant he was in for a painful, sleepless night.

 

[Mayfly]

Many thanks to you all, currently in fasting state. I ate at 12.00 noon and will eat again at breakfast. I have bought coconut milk and cream, so might try that in the coffee. I did try low carb chia seed porridge and it made me feel very sick. I understand it has this reaction with some people. Anyway, I will start again with the diet and experiment with stuff. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow who will tell me I've made a mess of my diet and I will promise to do better.

Chook - might be peanut butter and cream. I was enjoying a pudding along these lines and I'm betting it's that. I hope the coconut will work - you have to be so careful typing coconut, I've ended up with some unfortunate results - and I will make the fasting a regular thing.

Thanks all, you've been great.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Do see if stopping anything with tomatoes n onions in helps.... it certainly did with me.

 

[charliebarker]

I'm going to cut out tomatoes and onions before donnellysdogs post again ! I've had acid reflux for years - been controlling it with ranitadine - been low carbing for four months and have progressively got worse and worse GERD, now suffering esophageal spasms and have been put on omeprazole for a month to see if it clears - can't say it's much better. The only thing I've really added to my diet that I never ate before is cream... so I guess I should cut that out - although tempted to try cutting out toms and onions first as cream is my only pudding luxury !! Can't abide coconut in any form - but have replaced 'normal' milk with almond quite successfully. Any other tips welcome - hate this acidy-nauseous feeling and the spasms are quite horrific !

 

[Indy51]

I'll definitely attest to caffeine worsening symptoms. I rarely drink coffee as I can just get away with one cup - any more and I know I'll suffer. Finally bit the bullet and changed to decaffeinated tea and it's making a huge difference to symptoms.