6 Postmeal Tips to Help Avoid Heartburn Symptoms
Enjoying a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant or a superb home-cooked meal are two of life’s simple joys. For those of us who deal with occasional heartburn symptoms though, these simple joys can come at a cost — a long night in bed, suffering from the effects of heartburn.
If you’re determined to avoid heartburn after a delicious meal, your first line of defense should be a bottle of America’s #1 antacid, TUMS, which provides fast relief for your toughest heartburn, going to work in seconds to neutralize acid on contact. After that, there are a few additional steps you can take to keep heartburn and acid indigestion at bay.
Post-meal Tips to Help Avoid Heartburn Symptoms
Wait a Few Hours Before Lying Down.
Waiting three to four hours before lying down is a key preventative measure against heartburn, as it usually takes that long for our stomachs to empty after a meal. If you’re eating out, consider making that reservation a little early, so you’re not tempted to fall into bed as soon as you get home.
Avoid Intense Activity or Exercise.
Exercising too soon after a meal can trigger heartburn. Wait the same amount as you would to get into bed — about two to three hours — to start intense physical exercise.
Say No to That Nightcap.
Alcohol is a heartburn trigger. As satisfying as a postmeal cocktail might seem, opting for a tall glass of water instead can help with digestion and keep heartburn at bay.
Drink Tea.
Warm liquids like herbal teas can help ward off postmeal heartburn. New studies suggest tea may also provide some benefit for other health issues, like heart disease and concentration.
Raise the Head of Your Bed.
Once it’s time to finally get some zzz’s, consider raising the head of your bed six inches with wooden blocks or books. It’s important to raise it from the bottom, and not just pile a bunch of pillows under your head, as the pillow method could actually cause you to put more pressure on your stomach and trigger heartburn.
Journal Any Trigger Foods.
If despite all your preventive measures, you still feel heartburn coming on after a meal, write down what you ate to see if you have any personal trigger foods. And if you continue to deal with post-meal heartburn after taking these precautions, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor and discuss your symptoms.
Heartburn may be annoying, but it doesn’t have to ruin a delicious night out! Carrying your TUMS with you and doing a little pre- and post-meal planning can make all the difference in the world.