Heartburn-Free Picnics

If you’re looking forward to summer cookouts and picnics but are worried about the heartburn that you’ll inevitably suffer, don’t dismay. You can still enjoy your summer heartburn-free!

Enjoying a burger isn’t out of the question as long as you use the leanest meats possible and grill them instead of frying. Potato salad rarely contains elements that will trigger heartburn, and try making your green salads using carrots and other mild vegetables instead of tomatoes. Soda and alcoholic beverages are a staple of the summer cookout, but if you drink water, iced tea, or non-citrus fruit drinks instead, you’ll be better off. Limit your alcoholic intake considerably or try drinking something with a lower concentration of alcohol, like a wine cooler.

Your actions can also affect your risk of heartburn just as much as the foods you eat. Smoking after a meal stimulates the production of stomach acid and the nicotine weakens the valve between your esophagus and your stomach. If you want to lie down, wait at least two hours after eating so that gravity can do its important job of facilitating the flow of food and digestive juices from your stomach into your intestines. Finally, limit your portion size. A large meal puts pressure on the esophageal valve, resulting in a high risk for acid reflux, especially if you’re already overweight.