Last Tuesday, at 2 a.m., I woke up with the familiar chest burn that sounds like a tiny chainsaw. Desperate times. I stumbled to the fridge and found a single slice of American cheese. Yes, the processed kind with the wrapper that basically screams “I’m not real food.” I ate it plain, standing in the dark, feeling like a raccoon. For exactly six minutes, I felt a soothing coolness. Then the fat hit my stomach like a freight train, and the heartburn returned with a vengeance, now with a side of regret. Lesson learned: processed cheese is a liar with a smiley face.
Is Grilled Cheese The Culprit Behind Your Heartburn? | ShunGrill
What to do instead?
If you’re itching for a nibble when heartburn strikes, grab a small portion of low-fat yogurt or a sip of milk instead of cheese. They’re less fatty and still have that coating effect. Or, better yet, nibble on a piece of whole-grain bread—it soaks up acid like a sponge. Cheese is a gamble, and in the heartburn casino, the house usually wins.
