Throwing a Halloween Party: Halloween Snacks That Won’t Cause You Heartburn
Halloween is finally upon us, and some of us are planning costume parties, elaborate exterior decorations, and more! As you begin planning for these events, it’s important to remember your GERD diagnosis; by putting out snacks and treats that are kind on your stomach, you can have a more enjoyable time, as well. Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we want you to enjoy your party as much as everyone else, so we’ve compiled a list of the best Halloween snacks and our favorite heartburn-friendly party snacks.
Heartburn-Friendly Party Snacks
Baby Carrots or Carrot Sticks and Hummus
Get creative with how you arrange your snack trays, but also remember that the dip carries all of the flavors. Try arranging your snack plate in the shape of a pumpkin; you could even cut up some purple carrots or white carrots to create an image.
Whole Wheat Pretzels
Everyone loves the snap of a good pretzel. You can offer dip for party attendees that don’t have to avoid certain trigger foods, or simply put out a bowl of undressed pretzels!
Corn Chips and Avocado
Guacamole can be a hit or miss, but mashed avocado with a sprinkle of salt and pepper tastes just as good. Dress up your dip with some parsley if you wish, then dig in.
Deviled Eggs
These little party snacks can be as fancy - or as spooky - as you’d like. When you’re making them, just remember to use a low-fat or dairy-free dressing alternative inside the middle of the egg.
Fall Cookies
Traditional cookies contain milk chocolate, but we don’t have to use this ingredient to get a delicious cookie; in fact, you shouldn’t. Try selecting different ingredients like nuts and white chocolate (unless dairy triggers your reflux). There are many recipes out there for sweet potato and pumpkin cookies that use warm spices to create a unique flavor profile suitable for fall.
Heartburn-Friendly Candy
It wouldn’t really be Halloween without the candy, now would it! While it may be a little bit more difficult to eat “safely” on Halloween, it’s certainly not impossible. Plus, we’ve already compiled a list of some Halloween candies that won’t cause heartburn.
How to Prevent Heartburn: Halloween Snacks to Avoid
What candy causes heartburn? There are a few common culprits (plus other popular Halloween snacks) to watch out for.
Chocolate Candies
Unfortunately, chocolate is a major trigger for our GERD patients. Chocolate contains both caffeine (another trigger) and theobromide. These two molecules interact with the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and cause it to relax more than normal一 which, for a GERD patient, is already fairly relaxed.
Dairy Foods
Ranch dip, cheese platters, egg nog, and any other dairy-containing snacks should be avoided. For many patients, the troublesome component of dairy is milkfat, while others seem to have an issue with even low-fat milk products. Know how your body will react and make the judgment call on diary foods at your next party.
Fried Food
While mozzarella sticks and chicken sticks might be a fun addition to the party, you’ll probably regret consuming them, especially if you eat them with marinara sauce. Instead, try setting out some baked chips or whole wheat crackers.
Alcoholic Drinks and Citrus
If you love a good mule, now certainly isn’t the time for one. Since alcohol and citrus are both trigger foods, try to avoid these at your party. If you feel that you must have some kind of alcoholic beverage, take a peek at this post that lists some alcoholic beverages that are safe for GERD patients.
Remember, even the most careful GERD patient still may struggle with heartburn if overeating happens. If you’re ready to talk with a reflux specialist about getting rid of your symptoms for good, contact our team today.