Let’s be real. When the holidays come and all the gigantic meals and treats fill the table, we often can’t help ourselves. We truly intend on being “good”, but our eyes become bigger than our stomach and we end up overeating to the third degree.
The good news is that you can offset the pain that often comes with this gorging, so that you don’t have to suffer with digestive distress such as heartburn and indigestion. Here are 3 easy tips.
Before the Meal
One of the best things you can do just prior to a meal is take something that will aid in the digestive process. There are plenty of digestive supplements that can help with that, but in this case, we will focus on a food based solution.
One of the most potent proactive solutions you should consider is a raw (with mother) apple cider vinegar (ACV) shot. ACV is a nice solution as it helps increase the stomach acid (the first big stage of physical digestion), and is loaded with enzymes, probiotics, and minerals, all of which are critical factors in making digestion go smoothly.
To make it easier, take the ACV in a full glass of water to buffer its acidity. If you are new to ACV, you can also take a little bit of fat (like coconut oil or avocado) prior to the shot to buffer the impact. Regardless of how you decide to do it, it often makes a tremendous difference in avoiding or alleviating indigestion and heartburn.
During the Meal
During the meal, there are several foods and herbs that pair nicely with the typical holiday dinners that can help offset any digestive related problems. Some of these foods, herbs, and spices include:
- Sauerkraut (fermented vegetables)
- Parsley
- Coriander/Cilantro
- Turmeric
- Cinnamon (great on sweet potato)
In addition to these solutions, keep in mind that it is best to eat until only 80% full, and leave 20% for digestion. This is a very common mistake with holiday meals, but very important during meal time. Also, avoid drinking cold water during the meal as it impairs stomach acid and compromises effective digestion. Avoid alcohol as well.
After the Meal
Following the main course, avoid the temptation of diving into dessert right away. Allow your meal to at least partially digest before throwing sugar, dairy, and/or gluten down the hatch. This only “piles up” on the slow digesting foods like animal protein and then ferments, creating a toxic byproduct that will impair digestion.
Instead, wait at least 30 minutes, then if you must have dessert enjoy it then with a warm ginger or peppermint tea to follow.
These are some very easy ways to make the holidays more enjoyable for you. If you’d like to enjoy some other healthy upgrades to some classic holiday treats, check out this Healthy Eggnog Recipe and Coconut Brownie Recipe.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.healingthebody.ca/use-bitter-herbs-for-optimal-digestion-and-detoxification/
http://www.healingthebody.ca/3-indispensable-digestive-aids-at-mealtime/
About the Author:
Derek Henry took a deadly health challenge that conventional medicine couldn’t solve and self-directed a one-in-a-million health journey that found him happier and healthier than he had been in his entire life. As a result of this rewarding journey, he created Healing the Body and became a well revered holistic health coach who now spends his time writing, coaching, and educating thousands of people each month who want to enjoy similar results.
His Wellness Transformation E-Guide and THRIVE Online Health Program are two essential resources for anyone who wishes to have the intelligence and answers to become truly well.
You can find his experience derived and heavily researched articles at his website Healing the Body and his one of a kind holistic health program, THRIVE, here.
