Simple Tips to Combat Overindulging and Indigestion This Christmas
Christmas is a time to be with your loved ones, play backyard cricket, eat (too much) good food & laugh. No matter how much you tell yourself you won’t overeat – many of us will find ourselves lining up for second or third servings or collapsing on the couch with full bellies. To avoid indigestion or that overwhelming sense of fullness this festive season, I have put together my top tips so you can have your cake and eat it too!
Consuming large amounts of liquids with meals floods the digestive system, leading to bloating & discomfort. Carbonated drinks are particularly aggravating if you are susceptible to bloating. Keep liquids 15 minutes apart from meals, or if you plan to enjoy a nice beverage with your Christmas lunch, do sip it slowly.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or even some bitters to your water during the day to enhance digestion.
Take a gentle walk after a big meal to reduce bloating and indigestion.
Avoid indulging in heavy meals later in the evening. Going to bed with a full stomach can aggravate heartburn and led to an unsettling sleep. Particularly when combined with alcohol.
Herbal teas are soothing and calming on the digestive tract after a day of indulging. Ginger, chamomile, fennel or peppermint to reduce bloating and relax spasm and cramps in the digestive tract.
If you know you’re going to eat more than usual, you may appreciate some extra herbal support such as Iberogast – a liquid herbal combination backed with plenty of scientific evidence and an excellent safety profile that you can easily fit into your handbag. Alternatively, try a good quality digestive enzyme capsule or tablet to optimise your chemical digestion and comfort.
Encompassing mindfulness & gratitude at meal times allows us to appreciate how lucky we are, it also helps us to feel aroused by the colours & smells of the meal before us. This effective tool stimulates the release of gastric secretions before food enters the stomach, and optimises chemical digestion to ensure maximum breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Remember to have fun and enjoy the delicious festive foods with your loved ones. Christmas only comes around once per year so release the guilt and bring the joy back into eating!