Whatever the occasion, an overstuffed tummy is uncomfortable and unhealthy. Depending on the kind of foods you ingested the larger the amount of food you eat, the longer it takes to digest. As food lingers in your belly, it can start pushing itself upwards against your diaphragm, causing you to have shallow breaths, heartburn, acidity and other troublesome symptoms.
Consistently overeating can not only put you at risk of unwanted weight gain, but it can also seriously tax your digestive system and cause health complications further down the road. If you’re going to blow your diet, you might as well go all out, right? After all, the holidays are supposed to be enjoyed. Here are 10 ways you can eat more and enjoy it.
I always put a couple of digestive enzymes, a probiotic and an NAC (for rapid alcohol detox) in a shot glass at each of my guests place setting on my Holiday table. Your body naturally produces digestive enzymes to facilitate the breakdown, transport, and absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. But when you overeat, your body may not be able to produce enough enzymes to facilitate efficient digestion. An excellent digestive enzyme for all round support, especially where you have no control over the holiday food is Intolerant Complex by Enzyme Science.
2. Probiotics
Probiotic supplement that can effectively deliver good bacteria to your GI tract can help support regularity and even reduce bloating and gas. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed both the number of symptoms of food addiction and the binge eating score were lower in the probiotic group than in the placebo group. My favorite go-to Probiotic is OrthoBiotic by Ortho Molecular.
3. Saffron for appetite control
In order to avoid overeating saffron has been effective in controlling your appetite. Results from human-controlled trial studies that investigated the anti-obesity potentials of saffron, showed that saffron extract could restrict appetite and food consumption. The anorexigenic effect of saffron was confirmed by Kianbakht et al. An active component in saffron, solely or synergic with other ingredients can modulate neurotransmitter pathways especially serotonin reuptake and can target appetite control centers and may help limit food intake. Optimized Saffron by Life Extension is an excellent Saffron supplement.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink up. This will immediately aid digestion and restore the gut mechanism. Apple cider vinegar also contains healthy probiotics that help strengthen the gut and restore its work. And believe it or not, it is a great remedy for acid reflux and hiccups. Try it and see!
5. Peppermint
Peppermint has menthol that helps relieve gas, indigestion and nausea. It basically helps soothe the opening between your stomach and esophagus, enabling stomach acid to flow back. You can sip on a cup of peppermint tea, use peppermint chewing gum or a candy or rub peppermint oil on your tummy for relief.
6. Herbal Tea
Whether it’s chamomile tea, chicory tea, green tea or any other herbal tea that you like. Sipping on herbal teas can actually stimulate the movement of food through your digestive tract and give relief from the discomfort.
7. Spicy lemonade
Lemon and hot water with a pinch of cayenne pepper will help stimulate the liver in order to detox your body and eliminate the excess food that you ate. Also, the combination is a powerful digestive aid that can easily soothe stomach ache, gas, bloating and acid reflux.
8. Turmeric
Tumeric is known to be a powerful anti-inflammatory spice that is also anti-bacterial and full of antioxidants. All these health benefits have been attributed to the compound curcumin extracted from turmeric that can ease the discomfort caused by overeating. All you need to do is to add a pinch of turmeric in hot water and lemon or almond milk and drink up.
9. Take a walk
One of the simplest and most effective solutions is to take a walk right after eating; this will help stimulate the digestive processes in your body that pushes the food down your gastrointestinal tract. Do not run or jog, just stroll around for 15 minutes and you will feel better right after.
Three other helpful suggestions that are always good to remember:
10. Drink lots of water: It fills you up and helps to detoxify
11. Wait 30 minutes before you go for seconds
12. Listen to your body’s fullness signals.
Holidays are here to enjoy with our family and friends. Make sure you pace yourself; you don’t have to eat it all, prepare for pleasure and avoid pain by following just a few precautions. And most of all—practice gratitude. It will reduce your stress which is never good for your digestion.
Happy Holidays!
