Can You Take Tums While Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting can be an effective way to lose weight, but it can also cause discomfort, including acid reflux. While tums can provide relief, many people wonder whether taking them will break their fast. This article will explore the relationship between intermittent fasting, acid reflux, and tums.

Key takeaways

• Fasting can trigger acid reflux: When you fast, your stomach acid levels can increase because there’s nothing in your stomach to soak it up. This can lead to acid reflux, a burning sensation in the back of your throat.
• Tums can break your fast: Tums contain calories and may include hidden sugars, which can break your fast. However, sugar-free Tums can still provide relief without causing an insulin response.
• Alternative remedies for acid reflux: Alkaline water, warm water, ginger, or chamomile tea can help neutralize the acid imbalance in your body and relieve acid reflux. However, be mindful of their calorie content, as they may break your fast depending on your fasting plan.

Does intermittent fasting cause acid reflux?

Fasting can aggravate existing acid reflux because it affects the balance of acids in the stomach. When there’s no food in the stomach to soak up stomach acid, the acid levels can increase and cause reflux. However, fasting itself doesn’t cause acid reflux.

How to avoid acid reflux while intermittent fasting?

If you’re prone to acid reflux, there are a few steps you can take to prevent it while fasting:

• Eat smaller meals: smaller meals can help prevent acid reflux during fasting periods. When you do eat, make sure to chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly.
• Stay hydrated: drinking plenty of water can help keep your digestive system moving and prevent acid reflux. You can also try drinking alkaline water to neutralize the acid in the stomach.
• Avoid trigger foods: certain foods can trigger acid reflux, such as spicy foods, fried foods, and caffeine. Try to avoid these foods during your eating window.

Can you take tums while intermittent fasting?

Tums are a popular antacid that can quickly relieve acid reflux symptoms. However, they contain calories and may have hidden sugars, which can break your fast. So, in a pinch, look for sugar-free tums. They’ll still have calories, but you won’t worry about triggering an insulin response.

Is it safe to take tums while fasting?

Each tums tablet contains about 3.5 calories, so technically, taking tums will break your fast. However, the small number of calories shouldn’t affect your weight loss goals. If you’re in pain and need relief, it’s okay to take tums, but try to limit your intake to the minimum amount necessary.

Conclusion

Intermittent fasting can aggravate acid reflux, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. While tums can provide relief, they do contain calories and may have hidden sugars, so it’s best to avoid them if possible. However, if you’re in pain, taking tums is okay, but keep your intake to a minimum.

FAQ

• Will taking Tums break my fast?

Yes, taking Tums may break your fast, as the pills contain calories and may also contain hidden sugars, which can trigger an insulin response.

• What are some alternatives to Tums for treating acid reflux during fasting?

Alternatives to Tums for treating acid reflux during fasting include drinking alkaline or warm water, ginger or chamomile tea, and avoiding food or drink that may trigger acid reflux.

• Do sugar-free Tums have any calories?

Yes, sugar-free Tums still have calories. While the calories are small, any number of calories during fasting technically breaks your fast, so it’s essential to be mindful of your caloric intake.

• Will taking Tums hinder my weight loss results during intermittent fasting?

Taking Tums may hinder your weight loss results during intermittent fasting if they break your fast and trigger an insulin response. However, taking them occasionally for acid reflux should not significantly affect your weight loss progress.