December is just around the corner and, as every year, meals, parties, cocktails and a lot of situations that can leave our stomachs in ruins are coming up.
Beyond worrying about whether we gain weight or not - here we like to focus on health - we want to give you ideas so you don't feel bloated, heavy, or exhausted.
- Be even more diligent with your probiotic supplement: You can start your day with Enzymes and Flora 9 to support your digestive system with enzymes and probiotics that aid digestion.
- Start your meals with vegetables, whether it's salad, green beans, or crudités. Vegetables contain digestive enzymes that will help you digest your food better. They also provide the fiber you need to aid in the digestive process. Remember that chewing is the first stage of digestion, so it's best to eat creams and purées with side dishes that encourage chewing.
- Eat mindfully. Our emotions greatly affect our digestion. As much as possible, avoid eating anxiously, breathe, chew thoroughly, and eat slowly. Below, we offer supplement options for stress, but for managing emotions on a case-by-case basis, Rescue Remedy by Bach Flower Remedies—available in our physical stores—works very well.
- Enjoy what you love. Yes, you read that right. Enjoy dessert and all those special meals filled with nostalgia, but do so in small portions that don't leave you feeling stuffed and unwell. Whenever possible, choose homemade meals and artisanal products instead of ultra-processed foods, which are never recommended.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is very harmful to your gut microbiota, so avoid it whenever possible, but don't replace it with sugary, processed drinks. You can drink sparkling water with lemon, for example, or try making non-alcoholic cocktails with fruits, plants, and aromatic herbs—for example, by mixing lime juice, rosemary, honey, and sparkling water.
- Eat until you're satisfied, not stuffed. Sometimes we don't realize how full, and uncomfortable, we are until it's too late. Eating more slowly will help you better understand how your body feels.
- Go for a walk or dance after meals. Moving around after eating helps regulate blood sugar levels, which rise after eating, especially if we eat sweets, and also aids digestion.
- Support your liver: Fatty meals and large amounts of sugar damage the liver, support its function with a Black Radish and Artichoke supplement - especially after large meals - and with a detox infusion such as Dandelion after dinner.
- On days when you're not celebrating, take care of yourself by exercising and eating very healthily to give your body a break. Just because you overindulged one day doesn't mean you have to stop taking care of yourself every other day and wait until next year. The effect of taking care of yourself, or not, is cumulative.
- If, like many, you suffer from constipation when traveling, take a fiber supplement, such as psyllium husk, or eat fiber-rich foods like chia seeds to help you stay regular. Drink plenty of water so your body can function normally.
- Manage your stress. The holidays often make us feel more stressed, and for many, they are emotionally challenging times. Find moments of peace and connection with people who make you feel good, share laughter whenever possible, meditate, and take good care of yourself. Ashwagandha or L-Theanine supplements can help you manage anxiety and stress.