During the festive season it can be easy to abandon all of our good habits and dive head first into a month of indulgence. From mulled wine to mince pies and cheese to roast potatoes, we’re faced with an abundance of food that’s just too hard to resist!
This onslaught can sometimes prove too much for our bodies, who aren’t prepared for the sudden binge. All this rich food can cause our digestive systems to play up, resulting in bloating, weight gain and added stress over the festive period.
If you’re worried about your digestive health then read on for some ways to make better dietary decisions.
Eat before you go out: A good way to avoid overdosing on unhealthy canapes (not to mention, having the Christmas drinks go to your head too fast!), eat a snack or meal before you go out so you’re not too hungry and tempted to gorge when you get to the party.
Post-party lifesavers: Bananas are a great source of magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6, which can all help to reduce the effects of over-indulging in alcohol; namely, the headache and nausea. Avoid painkillers, which can irritate your stomach. If you’re experiencing an upset stomach or diarrhoea then grab some post-exercise electrolyte tablets, which are great for replacing the salts and fluid depleted during drinking.
Rebalancing: incorporate probiotics and natural yoghurt into your diet to help boost your digestive system. Spoon yoghurt over fruit, muesli or porridge for breakfast, or add to the side of a curry for dinner. The natural enzymes will help promote a healthy digestive system and the gut’s ‘good bacteria’ and relieve feelings of bloating.
Flush it out: sip on lemon water the morning after to help rebalance your system and flush out toxins. To a cup of warm water, add a quarter of a lemon and leave for five minutes, then drink.
This onslaught can sometimes prove too much for our bodies, who aren’t prepared for the sudden binge. All this rich food can cause our digestive systems to play up, resulting in bloating, weight gain and added stress over the festive period.
If you’re worried about your digestive health then read on for some ways to make better dietary decisions.
Eat before you go out: A good way to avoid overdosing on unhealthy canapes (not to mention, having the Christmas drinks go to your head too fast!), eat a snack or meal before you go out so you’re not too hungry and tempted to gorge when you get to the party.
Post-party lifesavers: Bananas are a great source of magnesium, potassium and vitamin B6, which can all help to reduce the effects of over-indulging in alcohol; namely, the headache and nausea. Avoid painkillers, which can irritate your stomach. If you’re experiencing an upset stomach or diarrhoea then grab some post-exercise electrolyte tablets, which are great for replacing the salts and fluid depleted during drinking.
Rebalancing: incorporate probiotics and natural yoghurt into your diet to help boost your digestive system. Spoon yoghurt over fruit, muesli or porridge for breakfast, or add to the side of a curry for dinner. The natural enzymes will help promote a healthy digestive system and the gut’s ‘good bacteria’ and relieve feelings of bloating.
Flush it out: sip on lemon water the morning after to help rebalance your system and flush out toxins. To a cup of warm water, add a quarter of a lemon and leave for five minutes, then drink.