So… On the TUMS website is the following: “TUMS is the #1 antacid America relies on to get past heartburn quickly and get on with life.” Wow! That’s impressive! Can I just ask a stupid question? Why, oh why, are you eating food that gives you heartburn?
I was inspired to write this blog by a good friend who pointed out a commercial he recently viewed on television. Apparently, this commercial demonstrates one of my all time favorites – the corn dog – beating you up. Actually, I must say, it must be a pretty funny commercial. This commercial demonstrates a corn dog, a hamburger, and a spare rib whooping on one’s head. Here’s my thought. If these foods give you heartburn, maybe your body is trying to tell you something.
Now, in all fairness, there are people who do not consume these foods or anything of the like and still get heartburn. Here is my point: there are foods that trigger heartburn and they are as follows:
- Citrus fruits
- Citrus juices
- Chocolate
- Peppermint
- Excessive alcohol consumption (especially red wine)
- Tomatoes and tomato-based products
- Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee
- Carbonated beverages, such as colas
By the way – tomatoes used to kill me when I was pregnant. Therefore, here are some of the solutions that I found very helpful:
- Chamomile Tea
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Milk
- Baking Soda (1 teaspoon dissolved in 8 oz of water)
Now, why would I not recommend TUMS – especially to a pregnant woman? Funny you should ask. Here goes – are you ready? The ingredients are as follows:
Active Ingredients: Calcium Carbonate USP (500 mg) (Antacid) / Inactive Ingredients: Sucrose, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Starch, Talc, Mineral Oil, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Adipic Acid, Sodium Polyphosphate, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, FD&C Yellow 5 Lake (Tartrazine), Blue 1 Lake
Need I say more? I’m sure you already know my thoughts on the chemicals in this product. If not, have I got a ton of blogs you should be reading! In fact, you might be interested in reading my blog on food dyes. Just that alone should make your skin crawl.
In conclusion, as far as I am concerned, this is all you need to know. Step 1: Stop eating garbage. Step 2: Stop taking poison to cure the pain from eating the garbage. Step 3: Use natural cures when you happen to get heartburn from pregnancy or stress. They work just as well if not better, I am sure. Oh, and by the way, if your physician suggests you take TUMS because you need calcium, why don’t you just take calcium? Or how about eating calcium rich foods such as kale. Oh! I know! Why not try the Kale Chips. I promise – they will not give you heartburn!
