# Are you overusing antacids for digestion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Digestion & Gut Health\ **Created:** [September 29, 2026, 11:00am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867 "2026-09-29T11:00:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![earthy\_eagle3](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/earthy_eagle3/32/124_2.png) [@earthy\_eagle3](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/earthy_eagle3)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 11:00am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/1 "2026-09-29T11:00:03Z")
Many of us reach for a bottle of antacids or Tums the moment we feel a bit of discomfort after a meal. While they provide quick relief, relying on them too often is a common mistake that can actually worsen our gut health over time. As we get older, our stomach acid naturally decreases, and suppressing it further can lead to poor nutrient absorption and more bloating. Here is a better approach to managing that post-meal burn: **Habits:** Instead of suppressing acid, try to encourage the digestive process. I’ve found that taking a short, ten-minute stroll after dinner helps move things along much better than sitting on the couch. It’s a simple change that keeps the system active and prevents the heavy feeling that leads us to the medicine cabinet. **Routines:** Timing is everything. Many of us forget that our bodies need a ‘rest and digest’ phase. If you are rushing through a meal or stressed while eating, your nervous system stays in ‘fight or flight’ mode, which shuts down efficient digestion. Try to sit quietly for five minutes before you even start eating to let your body know it is time to process food. **Tracking:** If you find yourself reaching for the chalky tablets every day, start a simple log. Note down what you ate and how you felt two hours later. You might realize it isn’t ‘too much acid’ but rather a specific trigger like onions, heavy fats, or even that second cup of coffee. By shifting away from the quick-fix habit and focusing on these small routines, you might find that your stomach starts behaving itself without the constant need for over-the-counter help. It takes a little more patience, but your gut will thank you in the long run. ---
**Author:** ![jijaimaegi19](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/jijaimaegi19/32/172_2.png) [@jijaimaegi19](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/jijaimaegi19)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 11:15am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/2 "2026-09-29T11:15:03Z")
I fell into this trap for years. I thought I had high acid, but my doctor told me it was actually the opposite. Stopping the Tums was hard at first but I feel way better now. ---
**Author:** ![royal\_climber4](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/royal_climber4/32/192_2.png) [@royal\_climber4](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/royal_climber4)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/3 "2026-09-29T12:30:03Z")
Does anyone use ginger tea instead? I’ve heard it helps without messing with the pH levels too much. ---
**Author:** ![daring\_euler6](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/daring_euler6/32/132_2.png) [@daring\_euler6](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/daring_euler6)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 2:10pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/4 "2026-09-29T14:10:04Z")
Bill, I use ginger all the time. It really helps with the bloating specifically. I also agree with the walking tip—it makes a huge difference for my evening digestion. ---
**Author:** ![teedruzesl](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/teedruzesl/32/133_2.png) [@teedruzesl](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/teedruzesl)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/5 "2026-09-29T16:45:03Z")
Great reminder about the ‘rest and digest’ phase. We are always in such a hurry. ---
**Author:** ![skigr\_eada98](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/skigr_eada98/32/123_2.png) [@skigr\_eada98](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/skigr_eada98)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:20am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/6 "2026-09-30T05:20:04Z")
I started tracking my meals last month and realized that it was actually the cream in my coffee causing the burn, not the coffee itself. Simple fix once I knew! ---
**Author:** ![ready\_archime09](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/ready_archime09/32/161_2.png) [@ready\_archime09](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/ready_archime09)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 7:05am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/7 "2026-09-30T07:05:02Z")
This is good advice but be careful if you have actual GERD. Sometimes those meds are necessary to prevent damage to the esophagus. Always talk to a professional first. ---
**Author:** ![housm\_uibr](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/housm_uibr/32/182_2.png) [@housm\_uibr](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/housm_uibr)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 8:45am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/8 "2026-09-30T08:45:03Z")
NurseBetty is right. I have a hiatal hernia and I can’t just ‘walk it off,’ though I wish I could! But for general indigestion, these tips are solid. ---
**Author:** ![neat\_rutherfor5](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/neat_rutherfor5/32/187_2.png) [@neat\_rutherfor5](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/neat_rutherfor5)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/9 "2026-09-30T12:30:04Z")
I’ve been trying apple cider vinegar in water before meals. It sounds counterintuitive to add acid, but it seems to help me digest proteins much easier. ---
**Author:** ![paispatria](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/paispatria/32/126_2.png) [@paispatria](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/paispatria)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:12pm UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/10 "2026-09-30T17:12:03Z")
The ‘five minutes of silence’ rule is interesting. I usually eat while watching the news, which is probably the worst thing for my stress levels! ---
**Author:** ![quick\_hypatia](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/quick_hypatia/32/123_2.png) [@quick\_hypatia](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/quick_hypatia)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/11 "2026-10-01T06:00:03Z")
My gastroenterologist mentioned that long-term use of certain antacids can lead to B12 deficiency. Since I’m 65, that’s the last thing I need. I’m definitely going to try the tracking log approach to see if I can narrow down my triggers. ---
**Author:** ![tidy\_dolphin82](https://myhealthyhaven.org/user_avatar/myhealthyhaven.org/tidy_dolphin82/32/142_2.png) [@tidy\_dolphin82](https://myhealthyhaven.org/u/tidy_dolphin82)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2026, 11:22am UTC](https://myhealthyhaven.org/t/are-you-overusing-antacids-for-digestion/20867/12 "2026-10-01T11:22:05Z")
Thanks for this. It’s easy to forget that our bodies change as we get older and we can’t just eat like we did at 25.