Is the role of Diet in GERD overstated?

From what I've read, the role of Diet in causing GERD seems controversial. For example,I saw some research by Dr Lauren ****** which says Diet doesn't affect stomach acid, reflux or the LES She concluded it was more to do with smoking and sleeping position. She does however say that if an individual does feel worse from a particular food, then that food should be avoided in order to reduce discomfort.

I'm not saying that Diet has no effect or should be completely discounted, just that people can end up concentrating too much on one factor and ignoring others. We should be able to enjoy whatever foods we like without it causing these reflux issues. I agree with stopping certain foods temporarily to get things under control and let damage heal, but if we have to permanently give up foods you like and are comfortable with, then aren't we going backwards? Is that really progress?
I myself have never smoked, don't drink regularly, I never have caffeine or spicy foods, I'm not overweight, I don't eat within a few hours of going to bed,and most of the foods I eat are quite bland and plain, yet I developed a reflux issue. I did find that bread was making my symptoms much worse, but the way I see it, bread is not a particularly harsh food, I should be able to withstand bread without issues and if I can't have something as innocuous as bread then clearly something is wrong I reckon.

I've always been a highly strung, nervous type and thats always made my insides turbulent and restless. I've just been prescribed something for anxiety to see if that works, the idea being, I think to relax and stop the LES from going haywire.

[Annoyed82]

Also, conventional wisdom is that big meals increase the acid in the stomach and makes things worse, I;ve found the opposite-a stomach running on empty or close to it makes me feel worse, and a meal makes it better. I've always been someone though who can be hungry again just 2-3 hours after a decent meal (unless I absolutely gorge to the point of being bloated) and I often wake up feeling absoluitely starving. Does anyone esle have this or similar pattern?

[Flycaster305]

Have you had an Endoscopy to confirm or rule out a hietal hernia?  I would encourage you to do so, that will give you a lot of information.  Also, have you checked to see if you have an allergy to wheat products?  
I'm really old, but at the age of eighteen I started having trouble with highly acidic foods, so I worked around the problem with antacids, then PPI's, which worked well.  I could enjoy Marinara sauce, etc. if I buffered it with medications, and like you, I was careful not to eat acidic foods before bedtime.  I did smoke in my younger years, much to my shame.  I had an Endoscopy when I was about 60 years old and was diagnosed with the beginning of Barrett's Esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition, but I didn't address it, I had a bigger concern with heart issues.  About five years ago I experienced a bowel obstruction, and the vomiting associated with that procedure simply wrecked my LES, leading to both obstruction and a Nissen procedure.
My point is there are a whole lot of causes of GERD, and until you get more information through tests, it's just a guess what will help you.
Thanks for posting, keep us informed.

[selmaS]

  Hi...diet is a large factor in GERD and how u feel...and it is suggested  u eat more meals not fewer...just that they are smaller meals...this will help with the acid that is being produced as it has work to do, and this is y u feel hungry as ur body is ready to break down foods....

Try more, but smaller meals..4 to 5  or even 6 meals...and avoid the foods that trigger ur reflux.

In addition to diet modification lifestyle should be addressed as well....

Do see our Health Pages for tips ....http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/list?cid=236

[Annoyed82]

Haven't had an Endoscopy yet, I'm simply too squeamish. Just the very idea of a camera down the throat makes me feel ill and uptight. My gag reflex is so sensitive I had to be sedated for a filling on a back tooth 2 months ago. Interesting thing was I had no reflux issues for about 48 hours after getting the sedative and not much of appetite, I forced myself to eat but the reflux issues came back as I got more back to normal levels of anxiety.
So an endoscopy will show whether or not there is a hernia? Does it tell the Docs everything they need to know? Do you have any memory of yours? If I get this donem they're going to need to make me pretty well asleep or at least to the point where I have absolutely no memory of such a ghastly procedure.

[Flycaster305]

You won't remember or have any gag reflex after the procedure.  Yes, the endoscopy will tell you if you have evidence of a hernia or damage to the LES valve.  I don't have any memory of the procedure.   Frankly, a endoscopy is nothing to fear, it will give you information.  I've had prostrate surgery, bypass surgery, intestinal blockage surgery, and assure you, an endoscopy is nothing to fear.  I had zero memory of the procedure, it isn't very invasive, believe me.  I would procede with confidence.