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Writer's pictureTina Belt, L.Ac. Dipl OM

How to Avoid Digestive Problems and Other Symptoms at Thanksgiving


A family enjoying healthy food for Thanksgiving

Most of my patients say, "I can hear you in my head." 

 

I tell my patients to become aware of how certain foods make them feel when they overeat – what is the consequence of eating certain foods?

 

For some of my patients, they have enough tools to manage the consequence of eating the wrong foods or overeating, and we talk about how herbs can help.

 

I used to bring curing pills to dinner when I was younger and would tend to overindulge. I still tend to use a digestive formula if I overdo it.

 

You get to be human and it's not fun to be so good that you feel depressed about missing out.

 

I personally LOVE veggie dishes and whole grain flours that most of my family do not love.  Many of my patients bring their own dishes that they can safely eat if the consequences of eating the wrong foods include migraines or stomach cramping or pain.  For these clients, it's not worth it to indulge.

 

We all get to make our own choices.  

 

You should be able to enjoy yourself and eat the food you look forward to all year. I can give you some tips for enjoying what you want while feeling good at the end of the day (and the rest of the week).

 

The 1 for 1 rule with alcohol

It’s normal to enjoy some drinks during the holidays, but it’s easy to get carried away. Here’s what you can do to avoid feeling sick the next day.

 

For every alcoholic drink you have, also have a glass of water. This will help dilute the alcohol in your system, remind you to stay hydrated, and prevent a hangover the next day.

 

This also works great for sugary drinks like soda. Excess sugar from soda can make you feel groggy and even slow down your immune system, so drinking water after every drink will help you feel good.

 

Don’t skip breakfast

You might be tempted to save room for the big meal, but this can make you feel even worse after dinner.

 

Skipping a meal will throw your digestive system and hormones off. Regular mealtimes are important to the way these systems work, and your body will react negatively to the lack of food in the morning.

 

Even if you just eat a little bit, make sure to have breakfast and lunch before Thanksgiving dinner. This will help you digest your big meal and keep your hormones balanced.

 

Eat plenty of fiber

Your body needs fiber to digest food, and the more you eat, the more fiber you’ll need. If you want to prevent yourself from getting plugged up from Thanksgiving dinner, make sure to add some fibrous foods along with your holiday favorites.

 

Some great options that pair well with Thanksgiving meals that are high in fiber include beans, green beans, apples, broccoli, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes.

 

Try digestive enzymes or probiotics

Your stomach might need a little boost to digest your holiday meal. There’s a lot of different options for giving your digestive system the support it needs.

 

Dao Labs offers a mix-in powder beverage that jump starts your digestion. This is a great option if you don’t like pills or need immediate relief.

 

You can also visit your local supplement store to pick up some probiotics or enzymes. They have a wide range of options to fit your needs.

 

With probiotics, make sure to find something shelf stable if you don’t want to keep them in the fridge. You should also find something that has 1 billion or more colony-forming units.

 

Use herbal remedies

If you overeat, you might need something to soothe your stomach. There’s a lot of different herbal remedies you can try that will help you feel better.

 

Turmeric, ginger, and peppermint are great options for helping your digestion and calm your stomach. Try them in tea for extra soothing benefits.

 

 

We're here to support you throughout the holiday season. Whether you’re feeling under the weather or need some help with digestive problems or migraines, we can help you get better.

 

Schedule an appointment to get back on track. We have a range of treatments that can replenish your health so you can enjoy the holidays.

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