Which nutrition strategy is commonly recommended for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?

• A. Larger meals, late meals, lying flat after eating, and consuming fatty/fried foods.
• B. Smaller meals, avoiding late meals, elevating head of bed, and avoiding trigger foods like fatty/fried foods.
• C. Avoid any dietary changes and continue normal eating patterns.
• D. Increase caffeine intake and spicy foods to speed digestion.

Answer: (B)

Managing GERD involves strategies that reduce how often and how much reflux reaches the esophagus, while also limiting irritation from foods. Eating smaller meals lowers gastric distension and the amount of material available to reflux, which reduces reflux episodes. Skipping late meals helps prevent reflux during the night, since a full stomach all night can contribute to symptoms. Elevating the head of the bed uses gravity to keep stomach contents from moving upward while you sleep. Avoiding trigger foods, especially fatty or fried items, can lessen reflux because fatty foods can slow stomach emptying and may relax the lower esophageal sphincter, making reflux more likely.

In contrast, larger meals raise gastric pressure and increase reflux risk, lying flat after eating promotes reflux, and not adjusting the diet or increasing caffeine and spicy foods would not help manage GERD symptoms.