This year for Valentine’s Day, don’t give your loved one heartburn!

What a way to end a lovely meal with your Valentine — starting to feel that burn that starts in the stomach and roars up through the esophagus, literally leaving a bad taste in your mouth. It’s not exactly romantic, and it should be the least of your concerns on a day like Valentine’s Day when amorous intent might be in the air.

Holidays and other celebratory events involving copious amounts of food can be difficult for those who suffer from reflux. It seems like triggers are everywhere — chocolate, alcohol, extravagant meals. All of these delicious things are highly associated with Valentine’s Day, and unfortunately, they are tough to avoid.

The good news is that there are some handy tips and tricks to help you survive and feel well enough to stay perky for your partner.

1. Moderation: Whenever we talk about how to avoid reflux, moderation should be the first thing that springs to mind. A single chocolate truffle or a single glass of Champagne is unlikely to trigger your reflux, but a whole box or a whole bottle? Well, that’s a different story.
2. Timing: As in life, so too in reflux, timing is everything. One of the biggest causes of nighttime reflux is dining too close to bedtime. Book an early seating at the restaurant or cook an early meal at home. Leave time for a stroll in the dusk or a carriage ride, and enjoy an evening reflux-free.
3. Mindfulness: So now that you’ve conquered moderation and timing, the next step is to be mindful of what you’re eating. A spicy or flavorful dish might sound like just the thing to spice up your night, but it could pour cold water over your mood later that evening. Err on the side of caution and give your body a break from reflux!

For more tips, tricks, and helpful hints check out Ten Ways to Control your Reflux. Have a great Valentine’s Day and remember to always Rethink Reflux!