We’ve all been there, sitting on the couch after a big holiday meal barely able to move, staring down at the food baby in your stomach and wincing when you feel it kick and muttering the phrase, “I think I ate too much”. Don’t let that be you this year! Follow these 3 tips and you’ll be feeling fine all through the holidays and into the New Year!
Drinking a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar 30 minutes before your holiday feast can really help your gut get a jumpstart on breaking down the smorgasbord that accompanies family gatherings this time of year. If you forget to take some ACV beforehand don’t worry, you can use it as a chaser and it will be just as effective at getting your digestive juices flowing. ACV also has antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiobesity, antihypertensive, and cholesterol lowering properties[1]. It is recommended to take between 1-3 teaspoons of ACV, because the acid could have adverse effects such as weakening tooth enamel or burning the esophagus if you take too much. So just stick to adding a splash to your water so you can reap all the wondrous benefits apple cider vinegar has to offer.
- BE ACTIVE:
It’s so easy to pile up on the couch after a big meal and enter a food coma but try to resist the urge. Try walking around the neighborhood with your family or a friendly game of touch football in the yard or nearby park either before or after the big meal. Just the act of moving will get your digestive tract “ready to rumble” and lessen the feeling of bloatedness. If the weather isn’t cooperating try to stage an indoor activity. If you’re a yogi try leading your family through some different poses. If your family is into games, skip the scrabble for now and play charades or something that gets everyone up and moving around acting out scenes. You could also combine the two and really show-off your skills at twister.
- BE MINDFUL:
Eating a balanced diet is important and one could argue that it’s even more critical around the holidays when serving sizes seems to double and decadent desserts are plentiful. Disclaimer; when I say diet in this context I am not suggesting a calorie counting restrictive diet, but more of a overview of your daily eating habits. So go ahead and enjoy that slice of your grandmother’s famous pie but resist the urge to load up on seconds. This time of year is a time to be thankful, not the time of year to harbor feelings of guilt over a small indulgence. We’ve all heard the age old adage, “moderation is key” and this is a prime example of a time to put that philosophy to use.
These tips were compiled just in time for the holidays, but feel free to give them a try any time of year. If you have any other tips to aid digestion we would love for you to share them for all to see in the comment section below.
[1] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1750-3841.12434/full
