Indigestion

Potato Power

Maoshing Ni, PhD, author of Secrets of Self-Healing, offers this recipe: Juice one large or two small white russet potatoes, discard the pulp, mix the juice with an equal amount of hot water, and drink on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Why does it work? Because potatoes are an alkalizing food, meaning they neutralize acid in the stomach. Try these heartburn-free cooking tips.

Banish the Burn

Ni also recommends these additional eating habits to help calm your digestive system:

• Eat slowly. Chew each bite thoroughly, and leave the table only three-quarters full. Overeating can trigger heartburn.
• Avoid acidic and processed foods. Ni recommends that people limit tomatoes, pineapple, coffee, greasy or fried foods, dairy, and wheat. Take this free assessment to find out what’s causing your heartburn.
• Eat with mindfulness. Savor each bite -- which means not eating while stressed, angry, or preoccupied. If you do snack in front of the TV, here’s the healthiest option.
• Walk. Exercise helps move food along the digestive tract and improves digestion and absorption. Find out more about this and other home remedies for heartburn.