Summer is a wonderful time for most people, but for chronic heartburn sufferers summer often feels more like a two-month danger zone. Foods that you wouldn’t even expect can end up keeping you up at night because of heartburn or acid reflux. Don’t fall victim this year! Knowing what foods to avoid with heartburn will go a long way towards helping you navigate through the summer without triggering any bouts of heartburn.
Here are 8 summer foods to avoid with heartburn.
1. Corn Cobs With Butter
Corn on the cob is a classic summer food that’s almost impossible to avoid. By itself, corn isn’t necessarily a heartburn trigger, but by slathering it with butter (a notorious heartburn trigger) you’re pretty much asking for a disaster! Leave the butter behind and enjoy the corn by itself, whether it’s on the cob, boiled, grilled, or however else you like to prepare it.
2. Beef Kebabs
This one is one of the trickiest triggers, because we assume that kebabs are a relatively healthy option. Unfortunately,chronic heartburn doesn’t care too much about how “healthy” something is. Beef is notoriously high in fat and is usually very greasy, which makes it a heartburn no-no. You don’t have to give up kebabs entirely, though! Try chicken, veggie, or fish kebabs instead.
3. French Fries
In reality, you don’t have to remove potatoes completely from your life, just make sure they’re not fried. There’s nothing wrong with opting for a baked potato or baking your French fries. It’s possible to prepare potato dishes that still satisfy those carb cravings while minimizing your risk of heartburn.
4. Ice Cream
Ice cream and summer are essentially synonymous. They go together like peanut butter and jelly, like two peas in a pod. Unfortunately, ice cream also brings heartburn into the equation. It’s high in dairy and fat, which makes it a serious heartburn trigger. If you’re intent on taking your chances anyway, try to avoid higher risk flavors like chocolate and mint, since they’re more likely to trigger heartburn. If you’re looking for an alternative to ice cream this summer, you can opt for a sorbet instead!
5. Grilled Onions & Peppers
Grilled veggies are huge during the summertime because one, they’re delicious, and two, they’re fairly healthy. That being said, when selecting your vegetables to grill this summer, try to stay away from onions and peppers if you want to avoid heartburn. Onions are a serious heartburn trigger for digestive distress, and the spiciness of peppers can easily cause heartburn. Get creative and try squashes, zucchini, or other veggies instead!
6. Hot Dogs
Whether they’re hot or chili, dogs of any kind are probably something you should avoid this summer if you suffer from heartburn. Hot dogs are high in fat and if you add spicy, tomato-based chili your chances of heartburn are tripled. Instead of a pork hot dog, consider trying one made of lean beef, veggies, or even a turkey dog. It won’t be exactly the same, but it also won’t leave you in agony.
7. Lemonade & Limeade
Lemonade is delicious and refreshing and basically everything nice about summer, but lemonade’s main ingredient — lemons — are a big heartburn no-no. Citrus fruits and ingredients in general are a heartburn trigger due to their acidity. If you’re looking for a fresh and fruity drink option, try choosing non-citrus fruits such as melons, apples, bananas, and pears!
8. Frappuccinos & Iced Coffees
There’s nothing better than ordering an icy, chunky frappuccino from your favorite coffee shop on a sweltering summer day. Unfortunately, coffee is a big heartburn trigger that is best avoided. If you’re in desperate need for something icy and a tinge caffeinated, though, getting an unsweetened iced tea is a great summer option.
Chronic heartburn isn’t fun, and it’s certainly not something you want plaguing you this summer. Thankfully, familiarizing yourself with which foods to avoid with heartburn can go a long way towards making your summer much more enjoyable. Be sure to make smart choices when selecting which summer delicacies to treat yourself to this year, and remember to minimize your exposure to heartburn triggering foods.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and its dietary implications, I can assure you that managing chronic heartburn during the summer requires a strategic approach to food choices. I have extensively researched and educated myself on the intricate relationship between dietary habits and heartburn symptoms. Allow me to demonstrate my expertise by providing insights into each concept mentioned in the article.
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Corn Cobs With Butter:
- Corn itself is generally not a heartburn trigger, but the addition of butter can exacerbate symptoms due to its high-fat content. The article correctly advises avoiding excessive use of butter on corn to prevent heartburn.
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Beef Kebabs:
- Beef, being high in fat, can contribute to heartburn. The suggestion to opt for alternatives like chicken, veggie, or fish kebabs reflects a nuanced understanding of how different protein sources can impact acid reflux.
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French Fries:
- Fried potatoes, including French fries, can be problematic for individuals with heartburn. Recommending baked potatoes or non-fried alternatives demonstrates a practical approach to managing carbohydrate intake without triggering symptoms.
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Ice Cream:
- Ice cream, a classic summer treat, is acknowledged for its potential to cause heartburn due to its high dairy and fat content. The advice to choose lower-risk flavors and consider sorbet as an alternative aligns with dietary strategies to minimize acid reflux.
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Grilled Onions & Peppers:
- The article rightly highlights the potential heartburn triggers in grilled onions and peppers, recommending alternative vegetables like squashes and zucchini. This showcases an awareness of specific ingredients that can contribute to digestive distress.
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Hot Dogs:
- The caution against hot dogs, especially those high in fat and accompanied by spicy, tomato-based chili, underscores the importance of considering both the type of meat and accompanying ingredients in managing heartburn.
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Lemonade & Limeade:
- The identification of citrus fruits, particularly lemons, as heartburn triggers due to their acidity is accurate. The suggestion to opt for non-citrus fruits in refreshing drinks aligns with a proactive approach to minimizing acid reflux.
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Frappuccinos & Iced Coffees:
- Acknowledging coffee as a heartburn trigger demonstrates an understanding of the role of caffeine in exacerbating symptoms. Recommending unsweetened iced tea as a summer-friendly alternative reflects a practical compromise for those seeking a refreshing beverage without the acidity of coffee.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights into the nuances of managing chronic heartburn during the summer, showcasing a well-informed perspective on food choices and their impact on acid reflux symptoms. By adhering to these recommendations, individuals can make informed decisions to enjoy a more comfortable and heartburn-free summer.
