It seems like everywhere you look there’s a constant reminder that the holidays are just weeks away. During this time most of us look forward to hosting or getting invited to holiday parties where there’s tons of food and drinks that are just too hard to resist. It’s the perfect time to forget about your diet and indulge is delicious entrees, desserts, and even festive drinks that leave you with the dreaded heartburn.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, approximately 20% of Americans have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is the most common symptom of heartburn.
Kari Kooi, a registered dietitian at the Houston Methodist Hospital explains how you can avoid this unpleasant sensation and still enjoy the holiday festivities:
Skip the After-Dinner Mints – Peppermint relaxes the muscles between the stomach and esophagus, which can allow stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. While reflux triggers vary from person to person, other common triggers include tomato-based products, citrus fruits and juices, spicy cuisine, high-fat foods, chocolate, alcohol and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soda.
