For those of you who do experience heartburn on a pretty regular basis, I’m sure you already have an idea of the basic heartburn triggers. Heartburn occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter functions improperly allowing acid to travel from the stomach back into the esophagus and then to the throat.
How To Avoid Heartburn:
1. Avoid fatty foods
2. Nothing spicy
3. Stop smoking
4. Get regular exercise
If you feel like you live a healthy lifestyle and are still experiencing heartburn, it might be time to take a look at the foods you’re eating. The summer is full of BBQs, beach days, and bad food… keep reading to find out the eight summer foods that trigger heartburn.
ICE CREAM
I scream, you scream, everyone with heartburn screams for ice cream. Some people with heartburn have a hard time digesting dairy, but that’s not the only reason to stay away from this delicious treat. Ice cream can also be very high in fat.
CHILI DOGS
Anyone in his or her right mind can look at a chili dog and come to the conclusion, “this is not good for me…” But because chili is spicy and hot dogs are full of fat and grease, this American favorite is especially bad for people with heartburn.
LOADED FRENCH FRIES
Here we have another American favorite, and a personal favorite as well. Because loaded French fries can have so many different toppings I just thought I would name a few to stay away from: bacon, ranch, sour crème, green onions, jalapeños, etc., etc.… basically just don’t eat fries at all and you should be okay.
FRIED CHICKEN
Fried chicken is pretty self-explanatory. This golden crunchy treat is extremely high in fat, and depending on where you get it from it is also very greasy. If you have heartburn these two factors combined will make your stomach go wild, not in a good way.
SALSA
When you think of salsa you think of a fresh, cold treat to enjoy by the pool, but what you might not know is that this summer treat is full of heartburn triggers. Salsa can be spicy and is largely tomato based, and tomatoes are one of the main triggers for people with heartburn.
LEMONADE
There’s nothing quite like a cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer day… unless some kids down the street made it in which case you should just buy it to be nice and stay away from the extremely sour surprise that waits you in your cup. Citrus is very acidic and as a result increases the acidity levels in your stomach triggering heartburn. If you are experiencing heartburn its probably in your best interest to stay away from all citrus fruits and juices.
Summer foods can be delicious, and if you’re a foodie dealing with heartburn this can be especially tough for you. Stay ahead of the game and do some research on other ways to manage your diet and how to prevent heartburn before it even has a chance to strike. If you’re new to this sensation, and you’re still trying to figure out what heartburn is all about read this blog to find out more.