What’s your favorite holiday meal or treat? Are you all about the big group dinner with tons of sides and pie for dessert, or do you prefer a fancy party with lots of snacks and drinks? Or perhaps we’ll find you in the kitchen baking up a storm all season long. No matter what you choose, the holidays are delicious in more ways than one, but they can also cause some major digestive discomfort.
There’s no shame in treating yourself or indulging in those once-a-year marathon meals; it’s part of the reason the holidays are so special! But if you often find yourself feeling heavy, gassy, bloated, or generally uncomfortable after the hors d’oeurves at the work party or frosted cookies, you may want to put a little extra focus on your digestion during the season.
Try and stick to your regular eating habits as much as possible.
When you’re eating whole, healthy foods, you just feel better! If you’re at home during the holidays, continue to eat like you normally do as much as possible to keep your digestion on track. If you’re traveling, pack healthy snacks or buy a few groceries when you arrive at your destination and consider taking a probiotic to keep things balanced.
Drink a lot of water.
Staying hydrated will help you flush out your system faster … not to mention keep hangovers at bay. Have a glass of water before a party and then continue to hydrate throughout between servings of champagne or punch.
Eat before the holiday party.
If you know you can’t resist those little hors d’oeurves and fancy cookies but don’t want to feel tired and off-balance tomorrow, eat a small, light meal before any holiday parties.
Focus on fiber.
Getting extra fiber during those big, all-evening meals can help give your hardworking digestive system a boost when it’s feeling sluggish. Make a big salad to serve with the meal, choose celery sticks instead of pretzels to pair with dips, or make a green juice to get things moving post-meal.
Lighten up your plate.
Certain foods can be more difficult to digest, so if you know you’re sensitive to dairy or carbs, for example, consider adding less of those dishes to your plate at the holiday dinner and more greens or protein. Take a few small bites and see how you feel, then grab another spoonful or serving if you feel okay. Once you’ve finished eating, give your body time to recognize the feeling of fullness before going back for seconds.
Pour up a little after-dinner drink.
Your indulgent holiday dinner isn’t complete without a post-meal digestif! Sip on soothing herbal digestive support with Gallexier® Herbal Bitters, a blend of artichoke, dandelion, turmeric, and fennel.* It stimulates and supports digestion, perfect for Thanksgiving dinner and all season long.* Pro tip: Pour it in a fancy wine or cocktail glass to enhance the experience!