You know that moment when after a spicy meal or perhaps after eating something acidic, you feel heartburn coming on? Cue the ice cream. Right? Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint, this is something that many of us do. The reasoning goes that the cold from the ice cream will help to neutralize the burning sensation in your chest. Does ice cream really help with heartburn? Read on to find out more about whether or not ice cream helps heartburn.
Does Ice Cream Help With Heartburn?
Ice cream is made with milk, cream and sugar so it has some really strong ingredients that can really trigger heartburn. In fact, ice cream can sometimes make heartburn worse because it can irritate the oesophagus and make it more difficult to digest. That is why we recommend that you stay away from ice cream or at least eat ice cream with caution. You can always try melting the ice cream and create a hot drink instead.
How Does Ice Cream Help With Heartburn?
Sugar and fat are triggers for heartburn
If you’ve been living with heartburn for a while, you know that certain foods are more likely to trigger an attack than others. The main culprits are high-fat and high-sugar foods, particularly ones that contain artificial sweeteners. If you’re planning on enjoying an ice cream sundae, you’ll want to stay away from ice creams with nuts, caramel, and fudge sauce. These are often mixed with artificial sweeteners, which are known to aggravate heartburn. Instead, choose ice cream that’s free of any added sugar and artificial sweeteners. If you’re sensitive enough to start experiencing heartburn after just a couple of bites, you’ll want to steer clear of ice cream entirely.
Dried fruits can also trigger heartburn
Dried fruits – like raisins, apricots, and prunes – are another common trigger of acid reflux. They contain a lot of sugar (which is what causes the burn in your stomach), as well as a fair amount of fat, which is another trigger of heartburn. If you eat dried fruits every once in a while, you probably won’t have any issues. But if you eat them often, they may contribute to your heartburn. That being said, frozen fruits are a healthier alternative, because they’re frozen fresh and contain less sugar than dried fruits. They don’t just make a great topping for your ice cream – they can also be blended into smoothies or enjoyed as a healthy dessert.
Cooling off your tongue may help with the burn
Eating ice cream with a warm or spicy sauce may be delicious, but it can also intensify the burning sensation in your stomach after you’ve eaten it. It’s best to cool off your tongue by drinking plenty of water before eating ice cream. This will help to reduce the acid in your stomach, which makes the burning sensation worse. Don’t forget that mints and gum can also cool your tongue. Keep them in your freezer and pop a few pieces when you’re about to eat ice cream.
Don’t eat too much at once
It’s tempting to eat several scoops of ice cream at once, especially when they’re topped with delicious and sugary toppings. But eating too much at once can cause some problems. When your body is processing too many fats and sugars at once, it can’t digest them properly. These undigested foods cause an increase in acid in your stomach, which can lead to heartburn. You can eat as much ice cream as you like, as long as you eat it slowly and chew thoroughly.
Be careful with chocolate ice cream
Chocolate is another common trigger of acid reflux. The higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the stronger it’s acid reflux-inducing effects. While milk chocolate can be a little bit easier on your stomach, it’s best to avoid it completely if you have a sensitive stomach. If you do decide to eat chocolate ice cream, try to choose the lower percentage chocolate option or choose no-chocolate ice cream. If you’re really sensitive to chocolate, you can try cocoa ice cream or another flavour with a less strong chocolate taste. It’s also possible to find cocoa ice cream that’s free of any added sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Which Type Of Ice Cream Helps The Most?
Ice Cream That Helps Heartburn the Most: Vanilla
One of the best ice creams for heartburn is vanilla. Vanilla ice cream is low in both fat and sugar content, making it a great option for individuals with digestive issues. Vanilla ice cream is also a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or diabetic. However, if you’re looking for something that is super low in fat, a good option is to go for a low-fat vanilla milkshake. This way you get the same creamy, vanilla flavor without all the extra fat from the ice cream. A small serving of vanilla ice cream contains only 110 calories and only 6 grams of fat. It also contains 8 grams of sugar and 8 grams of protein. This makes vanilla ice cream a great snack for anyone who is looking to stay healthy as well as alleviate their heartburn symptoms.
Ice Cream That Helps Heartburn the Most: Light and Healthy Options
Next up on our list of ice cream that helps heartburn the most are light and healthy options. If you’re looking for heartburn-friendly ice cream, then light and healthy options are the way to go. This type of ice cream is low in fat and sugar. It also contains no cholesterol or artificial coloring. Light and healthy ice cream are usually made with skim milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and fruit flavors. This type of ice cream is best served as a dessert or side dish with a slice of cake or a warm chocolate chip cookie. An 8-ounce serving of light and healthy options contains only 110 calories and 5 grams of fat. It also contains 6 grams of sugar and 3 grams of protein. This ice cream is also low in cholesterol, making it a perfect treat for anyone with dietary restrictions or heartburn issues.
Ice Cream That Helps Heartburn the Most: Dark Chocolate Shakes
Next up on our list of ice creams that help heartburn the most is dark chocolate shakes. If you’re a chocolate lover, then dark chocolate shakes are exactly what you need. This type of shake is rich in vitamins and minerals. It also contains no cholesterol, making it a perfect treat for people with dietary restrictions. Dark chocolate shakes are best served as a dessert or after a meal as a treat. An 8-ounce serving of dark chocolate shakes contains 257 calories and 15 grams of fat. It also contains 23 grams of sugar and 7 grams of protein. Dark chocolate shakes are best served with fresh raspberries or strawberries as a garnish. This way, you can enjoy a rich and creamy shake while also getting your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
Tips To Help Fight Heartburn Naturally
- Eat smaller portions of food: If you are prone to heartburn, it is best to eat smaller portions of food to help prevent heartburn from occurring. Eating smaller portions of food will also help to reduce bloating which can cause heartburn.
- Eat slowly: When you eat slowly, you give your body time to digest your food properly, which will reduce the risk of heartburn. It is best to chew your food thoroughly and to eat slowly.
- Eat at a regular time: If you eat at regular times during the day, you will be able to keep track of your body and know when it needs to be fed.
- Avoid heavy food: It is best to avoid heavy food and to eat something that is light and easy to digest. It is best to eat food that is low in fat, high in fiber, and has minimal carbohydrates.
- Avoid spicy food: Spicy food, especially food that contains chili peppers, can trigger heartburn. It is best to avoid spicy food if you have heartburn.
- Drink water: It is important to drink plenty of water when you have heartburn to help flush the acid from your system.
- Take antacids: Taking antacids can help to reduce the amount of heartburn that you experience and help to fight the acid in your stomach.
- Take probiotics: These are good bacteria that exist in fermented foods like yogurt. They can help to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and help you to digest your food better.
- Take ginger: Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, which can help to reduce the amount of heartburn that you experience.
- Take mint: Mint is rich in calcium and it can help to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and help you to digest your food better.
Conclusion
Heartburn can be a really uncomfortable and painful experience. While there are many ways to help prevent heartburn, it is also important to know how to treat heartburn when it occurs. When you have heartburn, reach for ice cream to help reduce the amount of heartburn that you experience. You can also take a magnesium supplement if you don’t have time to eat dark chocolate or spinach every day. These are just a few of the ways that you can help to reduce the amount of heartburn that you experience.
