Mindful All-You-Can-Eat Eating Is Important to Avoid GERD

Jakarta — Professor Ari Fahrial Syam, Professor of Internal Medicine and consultant gastroenterologist–hepatologist at FK UI and RSCM, said that the All You Can Eat (AYCE) eating pattern needs to be approached wisely to avoid digestive problems, particularly GERD arising from excessive consumption of red meat. ‘So all you can eat is also one of the factors,’ he said during a health discussion with Primaya Hospital on Thursday (5 March 2026). ‘If this AYCE is focused on red meat, red meat is one of the risk factors if consumption is excessive for GERD.’ Ari said AYCE meals are usually dominated by fatty red meat from beef, pork or goat. Eating too much red meat will increase stomach acid, which can cause acidic fluid to rise into the oesophagus and cause heartburn, a hallmark symptom of GERD. He noted the stomach has a capacity like a pouch, about 600-8000 cc. If filled beyond its capacity, the stomach becomes full, causing a sensation of nausea, or could lead to shortness of breath and palpitations. Ari also said AYCE meals are generally time-limited, usually only two hours, so people tend to eat large quantities in a short time. This can lead to insufficient chewing and sudden dilation of the stomach. ‘If a person experiences that condition and suddenly feels full and cannot vomit, they should go to hospital immediately, because doctors may insert a tube to remove liquids or gas from the stomach,’ he said. In more severe cases, overeating can also cause an intestinal perforation and stomach rupture, requiring an ER visit for tube insertion to reduce the volume of food in the stomach. To avoid problems, Ari recommended practising prudence when eating during AYCE. For example, chewing for longer can stimulate the brain to reduce appetite and signal fullness. It is also advised to eat slowly and in small portions.