Heartburn with football can be avoided

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A U.S. board-certified internist who bills himself as "Dr. Gourmet" advises that football viewing party heartburn can be avoided.

Dr. Timothy Harlan admits favorite football foods like pizza, wings and nachos often trigger heartburn.

"More than 60 million American adults suffer from heartburn and acid reflux, which can interfere with enjoying the foods they love," Harlan said in statement. "What's worse, most patients who take a proton pump inhibitor to treat frequent heartburn still experience symptoms, and many are confused over how to treat it."

However, Harlan says even patients taking proton pump inhibitors can indulge in party foods while watching football games like Sunday's Suber Bowl match-up between New Orleans and Indianapolis without suffering heartburn if they substitute trigger foods with healthier versions.

For example, he suggests trading Buffalo chicken wings for ginger chicken satay -- marinaded chicken fillets with peanut sauce -- a dish with 50 percent less calories and four times less fat.

Other ways Harlan recommends to cut down on super Sunday heartburn include:

-- Savoring a few bites of favorite game-time snacks but not overdoing it. Limit indigestion-causing acidic, fried or fatty foods and alcoholic, caffeinated or carbonated beverages.

-- Slowing down. Eating too fast can trigger heartburn.

-- Being prepared. Have antacids on hand in case heartburn does strike.

Harlan has published books on healthy eating and has been an on-air consultant to the TV Food Network show "Cooking Thin." He also appeared on the DIY network show "AskDIY" and his regional public television program "The Dr. Gourmet Show" won an Emmy in 2002.