Creative Flavors and The Art of Soothing the Upset Tummy

by Lorie Fuller

In case you've never tried Tums before, I'll just say that they are little disks of powdery stuff that you chew up and swallow to make your tummy behave when it's feeling a bit under-the-weather.  The formulas have gotten better over the years, so the powdery stuff doesn't taste like chalk anymore, and the new flavors are fabulous!

My favorite Tums came out a few years ago when Cocoa and Creme Smoothies were introduced!  You heard it right - heartburn relief that takes you back to the malt shop!  Not only do they taste good, it's a great way to get in some calcium without taking the horse pills.  Like something from the candy counter instead?  There are tropical and berry flavors, peppermint, wintergreen, orange, and a few others.  Just today, I found a bottle of Tums for children that are...cherry flavored!  

This got me to thinking about what you might be able to do with a few bottles of Tums at a really nice bar.  Those jelly bean people think they've cornered the market on combining flavors, but I've figured out how to do it, have some fun, and get your RDA of calcium at the same time! 

Here are some drinkie recipes I came up with while lost in my antacid daydreams:

1 Creme, 1 Cocoa, 2 Cherries + Kahlua: Chocolate Cherry Latte

1 Cocoa, 2 Peppermint + Chocolate Liqueur and Creme de Menthe: Peppermint Pattie

2 Mixed Berry, 2 Strawberry, 2 Berry Fusion+ Chambord: Tuttie Fruitie

1 Orange Cream, 1 Creme + White Chocolate Liqueur:  Chocolate Creamsickle

4 Tropical Fruit + Creme de Cacao + Banana Liqueur:  Tropical Paradise

The way I see it, taking Tums with alcohol cancels out the possibility of tummy upset in the morning.  If you're dieting, make dessert out of it - only 10 calories per Tum! 

Just so you know, I don't work for the nice folks at Tums, nor did they pay me for this post.  Really - I would tell you if I had a garage full of Cocoa and Creme digestive agents.  This article is really all about menopause and the odd things it does to your brain. 

**Children - absolutely don't take Tums without the consent of an adult.