Beat the Festive Bloat!

Navigating Holiday Digestive Woes: Tips for a Comfortable Celebration - By Alison Cullen

Reading time: 4 minutes

'Tis the season for merriment, but for many of us, it's also a time of discomfort - the unwelcome guests of bloating, gas, and constipation. Not quite the festive tune we were hoping for, right? From heartburn and bloating to constipation and stomach cramps, these symptoms vary, but they all signal that your digestive system is struggling to handle the quantity or type of food it's tasked with processing.

To keep tummy troubles at bay this holiday season, consider these healthy-eating tips:

1.Choose Lean Meats: Swap out heavy, fatty cuts of meat that can be hard to digest for lean cuts of white meat or fish. Turkey is an excellent option.

2. Explore Vegetarian Alternatives: For those who prefer vegetarian options, there are numerous choices beyond a nut roast, as nuts can be tough to digest and may lead to heartburn. Try a vegan wellington filled with roasted vegetables, cooked beetroot, and kale, or a vegetarian wreath bursting with roasted butternut squash and succulent mushrooms.

3. Moderate Cheese Intake: Be mindful of the cheeseboard, as cheese can disrupt your digestive system.

4.Reduce Sugary Treats: Limit your consumption of sugary foods, cakes, biscuits, and rich puddings. While Christmas pudding is a notorious offender, you don't have to skip dessert altogether. Opt for a delightful fresh fruit salad or try dipping dried mango in dark chocolate for a delicious yet decadent treat.

5.Chew Your Food: Remember to chew your food thoroughly. Digestion starts in the mouth, and proper chewing not only breaks your meal down into manageable portions but also alerts your stomach to prepare the necessary digestive enzymes. Consider using a prebiotic supplement like Molkosan Fruit Digestion before your main meal.

7.Combat Bloating and Indigestion: If you experience bloating and indigestion accompanied by feelings of fullness and gas, try Digestisan from A.Vogel*. It contains Cynara (Artichoke), Dandelion, Boldo, and Peppermint to support digestive processes. Dilute 15 to 20 drops in a little water three times a day.

9. Turn to Ginger: Ginger is a wonderful remedy for digestive upsets, particularly nausea. You can make ginger tea by adding fresh ginger to hot water.

10. Address Constipation: Stay well-hydrated (avoiding coffee and traditional tea during meals) and drink water away from mealtimes to avoid diluting your digestive juices. For a natural solution to constipation, consider Triphala or Psyllium, starting with a low dose.

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