I realize you mentioned the South because of the heat and not the food, but as a fellow Southerner who used to also have bad heartburn, may I recommend cutting out ice and sweet tea, if you use them? God, I love them, but I realized after long suffering with heartburn that iced drinks and sugar in my tea was killing my stomach. Cutting these out means I'm now the only member of my family not constantly popping Tums.
Interestingly, all the Southern grannies knew this: they distrusted ice and made their tea with a pinch of baking soda, although this does change the flavor a bit.
Interestingly, all the Southern grannies knew this: they distrusted ice and made their tea with a pinch of baking soda, although this does change the flavor a bit.