As the holiday season approaches, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a balance with our eating habits. The sudden influx of tempting treats and calorie-dense foods can most certainly throw our digestive systems off balance. Adopting mindful eating habits can be the key to maintaining digestive health during these festive periods.
Eating Mindfully
Making conscious dietary choices can make all the difference during the holiday season. Staying on top of your nutritional needs can be as simple as ensuring you eat a healthy, fiber-rich snack before indulging in a festive meal, or enjoying some fresh vegetables or fruit after consuming calorie-dense foods.
Additionally, limiting your intake of inflammatory foods such as dairy, deli meats, processed grains, and sugars will help prevent indigestion. Keep in mind that holiday beverages like alcohol, coffee, and sodas can contribute to acidity, which is detrimental to digestion.
Stay Hydrated and Reduce Stress
Prioritizing hydration is essential for maintaining good digestion. Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas can help curb excessive food cravings, particularly for sweets. With the increased stress that comes with the holidays, taking time to focus on stress reduction is essential. Activities such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing have proven to improve digestion and provide a sense of calm during busy times.
Utilizing Natural Remedies
Many natural remedies exist that can help ease digestion, including herbal teas, supplements, and “bitters.” These digestive aids work to strengthen your digestion over time and promote greater long-term health.
Probiotic supplements are helpful in maintaining digestive health, as they add healthy bacteria to the digestive tract. Foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, which are rich in probiotics, are helpful for digestion, as they assist in the breakdown of sugars. Fiber-rich foods have a similar effect, as they absorb sugars, preventing blood glucose levels from spiking.
Alkaline foods like avocados, cucumbers, spinach, and broccoli are also beneficial for digestive health, as they counteract excess acidity from acidic foods and beverages.
In terms of herbal remedies, teas made from chamomile and mint are effective in soothing the stomach, while black pepper and ginger root support digestion and metabolism. Besides teas, herbs categorized as “bitters,” such as dandelion leaf and root, milk thistle, chamomile, yarrow, and more, can be used in supplements or consumed fresh. Their essential oils and compounds stimulate the production of digestive enzymes and bile, aiding in digestion.
Digestive enzyme supplements like amylase and lipase support strong digestion, detoxification, and immunity, while zinc, an essential mineral, is crucial for digestive health.
A Supplement for Digestive Health
Integrative Digestive Formula combines various digestive enhancing botanicals such as black pepper, galangal, ginger, medicinal mushrooms, and a variety of targeted herbs and nutrients. It works to ease stomach discomfort, improve digestion and nutrient absorption, and support immunity, all contributing to better digestive health throughout the holiday season.
By employing a mindful approach and targeted digestive support, you can avoid the common pitfalls of overindulging during the holidays, preventing weight gain and increasing energy levels for truly celebrating life.
