What to eat with GERD

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beefaroni071

46 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

Sep 18, 2006 4:28 PM

What to eat with GERD

I am an early morning runner - out the door by 5:30 on weekdays, usually by 7 on weekends. Here's my issue - I have GERD or GERD-like symptoms on a daily basis.

Here's my question - I usually finish dinner each evening by 7 so I can have enough time to digest before I go to bed around 9:30-10. So by the time I start my run, it's been 10-12 hours since my last meal.

Are there any GERD sufferers who are also early morning runners? If so, what (if anything) do you eat/drink before you run? And how long before run do you eat/drink them??

My energy has been flagging a lot lately on my runs, so I feel like I need SOMETHING in between dinner and my morning run, but I'm not sure what.

To further complicate matters

I am a vegan too.

Thanks for any advice/suggestions

Bethany

Augie053

160 posts since
Sep 1, 1999

1. Sep 18, 2006 8:59 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

Hi! I'm vegan AND also a GERD sufferer.

@#%& GERD.
I usually run between 4:30 and 7 in the morning (earlier if I'm working that day), and I eat nothing before I go out. As long as you ate well yesterday, you're probably ok to run several miles today. I can usually run 12 miles without ingesting anything before or during my run. Beyond that, I start to get low blood sugar (I think that's why I begin to feel bad, anyway). I had to try a couple different gels to find one that agreed with me but now I stick religiously to cliff shots. Also, pre-race or sometimes pre-very-long-run (18+ mi) I will eat a small banana, or half of a larger one. It doesn't seem to give me trouble. The problem, I find, is that everyone's GERD reacts to different things. You have to figure out what your personal triggers are.

beefaroni071

46 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

2. Sep 19, 2006 8:30 AM

in response to: beefaroni071

Thanks Augie!

It's nice to know I'm not the only GERD-suffering vegan out there! LOL

I will probably continue to run on an empty stomach like I have been. I only run 4 miles on weekday mornings and no more than 7 on the weekend, so like you said, I guess I should have enough stored energy for that. I might try a little rice or soy milk before the run and see if that works.

NorthernElf

214 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

3. Sep 19, 2006 10:06 AM

in response to: beefaroni071

Ahhh, the joys of GERD.

Well, I'm not proud of the fact that I start my day with a glass of water and a Zantac 150. The only reason I do this is so I can get up and have a cup of coffee (on an empty stomach) and go run or go to the gym. I can't eat first thing. I actually take the Zanatac when I turn the coffee pot on - then go back to bed for 20 minutes or so.

I do make sure I have a bedtime snack (small!)...say an apple or something. I find it's not enough to bug my stomach and it's fairly neutral. If I don't have a bedtime snack I get hungry in the middle of a workout and that sucks ! I'm very careful not to eat too much - or too greasy or too spicy...just not worth it.

Detroit094

133 posts since
Mar 14, 2005

4. Sep 19, 2006 4:26 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

hey there,

I can relate, and though I don't have a lot of info you probably don't know about, I'll share. I've had GERD for a good 10 years now, and have run at a very high level the entire time. You just gotta accept that its going to stink, take medications as necessary, and adjust. I think the main thing is to listen to your body and don't necessarily follow all the "rules" for GERD sufferers if they don't work as well for you.

I can't relate to the vegan thing - I need meat

. Whatever diet principles you do follow, though, make sure its balanced, healthy, and adequate fuel. I find with GERD if I am overfueled, or underfueled, my symptoms are worse. Eat well. I just eat 3 good meals a day because thats what works for me. If i run in the morning, I just get out the door and eat a big breakfast afterwards. For a morning race I'll get up and eat about 3 hours beforehand. Its always smart to let food digest before exercise, with or without digestive problems. Finally, try not to get too stressed and always err on the side of undertraining. Overexercising will make your body hate you.

take care

beefaroni071

46 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

5. Sep 19, 2006 4:37 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

quote:<HR>Originally posted by NorthernElf:
Ahhh, the joys of GERD.

Well, I'm not proud of the fact that I start my day with a glass of water and a Zantac 150. The only reason I do this is so I can get up and have a cup of coffee (on an empty stomach) and go run or go to the gym. I can't eat first thing. I actually take the Zanatac when I turn the coffee pot on - then go back to bed for 20 minutes or so.

I do make sure I have a bedtime snack (small!)...say an apple or something. I find it's not enough to bug my stomach and it's fairly neutral. If I don't have a bedtime snack I get hungry in the middle of a workout and that sucks ! I'm very careful not to eat too much - or too greasy or too spicy...just not worth it.<HR>

sigh boy do I miss coffee!! LOL I've had to give that up. Although, I just had my first cup of Pero today, and it's not too bad! (Pero is malted barley/chicory instead hot beverage - tastes exactly like instant Folgers coffee to me! Which I wouldn't touch in my regular-coffee days, but beggars can't be choosers LOL ;-D)

I think a small bedtime snack definitely makes sense..but in my case, there isn't too much of a gap between dinner and bed - like last night, for example, didn't eat dinner til 8:30, then I had to MAKE myself stay up til 10:30 so I wouldn't lay down on a full stomach *$*!%^@ GERD!!

I try to eat as early as possible but I'm new to this vegan cooking thang and, well, it's taking me a lot longer to get dinner ready than before...

But thanks, definitely good advice! When I get back to eating dinner at a "normal" time (ie. 6:30) I may top off my tank at like 9:30 or so with something..

beefaroni071

46 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

6. Sep 19, 2006 4:42 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Detroit:
hey there,

I can relate, and though I don't have a lot of info you probably don't know about, I'll share. I've had GERD for a good 10 years now, and have run at a very high level the entire time. You just gotta accept that its going to stink, take medications as necessary, and adjust. I think the main thing is to listen to your body and don't necessarily follow all the "rules" for GERD sufferers if they don't work as well for you.

I can't relate to the vegan thing - I need meat . Whatever diet principles you do follow, though, make sure its balanced, healthy, and adequate fuel. I find with GERD if I am overfueled, or underfueled, my symptoms are worse. Eat well. I just eat 3 good meals a day because thats what works for me. If i run in the morning, I just get out the door and eat a big breakfast afterwards. For a morning race I'll get up and eat about 3 hours beforehand. Its always smart to let food digest before exercise, with or without digestive problems. Finally, try not to get too stressed and always err on the side of undertraining. Overexercising will make your body hate you.

take care<HR>

I definitely hear ya barkin' about the "don't follow the 'rules' for GERD sufferers...much of the time, they don't seem to apply to me..which is incredibly frustrating!! ;(

Also agree..overfueled or underfueled definitely triggers GERD for me...so I'm always trying to find the right balance - snacking frequently seems to help.

Honestly, it's just nice to know I'm not alone out here

GERD is definitely affecting my quality of life and I know my husband feels terrible because he can't do anything to help...except be supportive (which he definitely is) and going along with this whole vegan thing (I'm doing it in the hopes that eliminating animal/dairy products will help eliminate GERD).

Anyway, thanks for the support!!

graingirl

272 posts since
Jul 20, 2001

7. Sep 20, 2006 12:15 AM

in response to: beefaroni071

I've read somewhere-- sorry, I can't remember the source, that bananas are a natural antacid. So, perhaps half a banana about 30 minutes prior to running would be something to consider?

cadburyegg

52 posts since
Jan 4, 2005

8. Sep 20, 2006 9:44 AM

in response to: beefaroni071

forgive me guys, call me an idiot, but what is exactally is GERD....??

beefaroni071

46 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

9. Sep 20, 2006 9:52 AM

in response to: beefaroni071

quote:<HR>Originally posted by cadburyegg:
forgive me guys, call me an idiot, but what is exactally is GERD....??<HR>

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Manifests itself as heartburn, nausea, chronic burning sensation in throat/stomach

Be glad you don't know

It really sucks!

beefaroni071

46 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

10. Sep 20, 2006 9:55 AM

in response to: beefaroni071

quote:<HR>Originally posted by graingirl:
I've read somewhere-- sorry, I can't remember the source, that bananas are a natural antacid. So, perhaps half a banana about 30 minutes prior to running would be something to consider? <HR>

That's a good tip, too...I do eat a lot of bananas and they do seem to help as a snack. My pH book says that unripe bananas are somewhat alkaline, while ripe bananas are somewhat acidic.

I just bought some seriously green bananas, will test this theory ;-D

graingirl

272 posts since
Jul 20, 2001

11. Sep 20, 2006 10:43 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

quote:<HR>Originally posted by beefaroni:
That's a good tip, too...I do eat a lot of bananas and they do seem to help as a snack. My pH book says that unripe bananas are somewhat alkaline, while ripe bananas are somewhat acidic.

I just bought some seriously green bananas, will test this theory ;-D<HR>

That seems to make sense because from what I understand sugar in and of itself is acidic. Unripe bananas are more starch, ripe bananas are more sugar.

Robert Wildes

96 posts since
Nov 5, 2007

12. Sep 21, 2006 2:22 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

I've had GERD for 10 years now.

Had a cast iron stomach and ate like a dog ( fast ) prior to that.

I've never liked eating before runs, so I almost never do and
that includes many 20 plus milers.

I'm out of the door by between 5-5:30 most mornings.

I do drink one or two cups of coffee prior to most runs.

I believe my metabolism is relatively slow, even with averaging
over 60 miles a week the past 12 months.

The less I eat the less I notice GERD symptoms.

TrailOBite

358 posts since
Feb 13, 2006

13. Sep 21, 2006 2:59 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

I'd definitely pass on the salmon and ghee......

Born to Run060

557 posts since
Jul 1, 2002

14. Sep 21, 2006 4:06 PM

in response to: beefaroni071

Knock on wood. I've only experienced this once, when pregnant.

Some more info:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA343592[/URL" target="_blank">

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA352800[/URL" target="_blank">

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Sep 18, 2006 4:28 PM

What to eat with GERD

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