Healthy Halloween Alternatives

The celebration of Halloween has increased hugely over the years. It's an exciting family event that involves lots of fun and often lots of food. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the foods that are popular around Halloween. We'll also look at how it might not be a bad idea to consider more healthy options.

Halloween Foods to Avoid if you suffer from heartburn or indigestion

Halloween foods are often dressed up versions of foods we have throughout the year. A search of the internet will provide plenty of highly imaginative ideas. However, if you suffer from heartburn or indigestion, you may need to remind yourself to be a little careful, especially with fatty, sugary, high carbohydrate foods. Typical Halloween offerings to be wary of can include these foods and their possible descriptions or variations:

• Sausages - also known as Devil's Fingers with blood (ketchup or spicy tomato sauce)
• Homemade Burgers - shaped like spooky faces
• Ribs - Dead Man's Ribs with a BBQ or spicy sauce
• Meatballs – also known as Heads Will Roll, again sometimes with spicy sauce
• Toad-in-the-Hole - Corpses-in-the-Grave
• Toffee Apples - either plain or decorated with icing sugar or chocolate
• Cheese Fondues - with finger shaped carrot or bread sticks to dip
• Cookies, Biscuits, Cakes and Sweets - often highly coloured and shaped like ghosts or ugly faces
• Pumpkin pie - a simple but classic Halloween dish

Whatever they may be called, these can all have a high fat content that are typically the ingredients that can trigger your heartburn or indigestion.                                     

Halloween Foods to Try

Everyone wants to join in and have a few treats during this time, but don't let a bout of heartburn or indigestion spoil the party for you. Surely it's better to be a little more selective in your Halloween food choices and remain part of the celebration?

Here are some suggestions that you might like to try instead:

• Soups are popular at this time of year. This way, you can stay in the spirit of the celebration but with your health in mind. Pea and ham soup is another Halloween time favourite - warm, satisfying and the vivid green colour is perfect for Halloween!
• Baked apples, unless fruit triggers your heartburn, are a classic Halloween dish to try. It doesn't have to be made too sugary and can even come served with cream for you to enjoy.
• Pumpkin Risotto is another way to enjoy this most well recognised Halloween vegetable. It can be just as satisfying as meat dishes, with a lot of taste.
• Various squashes, courgettes and other seasonal vegetables are plentiful around Halloween. Be inventive and serve plenty of them at your Halloween parties.
• Pasta in its many forms and multiple colours can be made into spooky Halloween faces and shapes that can provide amusement to your children and guests - while helping you avoid heartburn and indigestion trigger foods.
• For dessert, why not try dishes like baked bananas rather than pies, cakes or muffins?
• Alcohol can be a trigger for heartburn and indigestion. There are many different coloured soft drinks (preferably non-carbonated and non-caffeinated) that you could use to make up lots of Halloween "potions" and since they're non-alcoholic, they can be enjoyed by everyone!
• Why not get creative with vegetables? Ones such as carrots and celery can be cut into suitably fun Halloween shapes.

What can help if you have eaten foods that give you indigestion and heartburn? 

Trying to avoid heartburn and indigestion

When you're catering for yourself, it's relatively easy to try to avoid trigger foods. It can be more of a challenge when you're the guest at a Halloween meal or party though. Your host may serve some delicious Halloween dishes which you just can't bring yourself to refuse. You may even be presented with a new recipe or Halloween food that you've not had before. However, by eating small portions and eating slowly - and not too late in the evening if possible - you can help avoid indigestion or heartburn. 

Treating heartburn and indigestion

If you've done all you can to try to avoid heartburn and indigestion and you find yourself suffering, what can you do?

You may have tried or thought about home remedies such as peppermint. However, many indigestion and heartburn sufferers may prefer to take a treatment that has been scientifically proven. These include treatments like antacids that can help neutralise stomach acid.

Gaviscon Extra

Gaviscon Extra offers fast relief from the symptoms of indigestion and heartburn. It does this by helping to neutralise stomach acid and also by forming a protective barrier on top of your stomach contents to help prevent stomach acid refluxing up into your oesophagus. You can see how this layer (or raft) forms in an online video here.

Gaviscon Extra also provides a long lasting effect and is available over-the-counter from most pharmacies and in supermarkets.

It's advisable not to ignore repeated bouts of heartburn and indigestion. You would be well advised to visit your GP if this is happening to you.

Most people only get heartburn or indigestion occasionally, or find their trigger foods and avoid them whenever possible. Halloween celebrations don't usually last very long, but the foods associated with Halloween can last a little longer. Let's face it, the weather is a bit colder and we like to eat comforting foods at this time of year. Being aware of the risks and trying not to over-indulge could help you to enjoy this quirky and fun celebration without too many problems.

 

Sources consulted;

All information presented is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. Gaviscon Extra oral Suspension and Gaviscon Extra chewable tablets for Heartburn & Indigestion contain sodium alginate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, calcium carbonate. Always read the label. If symptoms are severe or last more than 7 days, consult a doctor or pharmacist.