Final answer:
A patient with GERD should avoid trigger foods and follow a healthy diet that promotes good digestive health.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient with GERD should have meals and foods that help reduce the risk of reflux. Some foods and beverages that should be avoided include chocolate, fatty foods, peppermint, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. It's also important to decrease portion sizes and eat the last meal of the day at least a couple of hours before bedtime.
Furthermore, lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and losing weight can help control GERD. Sleeping with the head of the bed elevated and adopting a healthy diet, which includes decreasing the consumption of refined carbohydrates and increasing the intake of fiber-rich foods, can also contribute to a healthier digestive system.
Overall, it's important for a patient with GERD to follow a diet that avoids trigger foods and promotes good digestive health.