With Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays approaching many of us look forward to the many traditional and family favorite foods that are served. Delicious treats and meals are a part of the warmth and excitement of the holiday season.
Poor Gut Health Affects 70 Million Americans
Unfortunately, it’s also these very treats and rich foods that cause many Americans problems with their gut health. As many as 70 million Americans are affected by digestive disorders and many more experience gas, gastric discomfort and bloating.
Obviously, a few extra holiday indulgences won’t sabotage anyone’s health. But for many even a few days of poor eating habits can wreak havoc on the delicate balance in your gut. This can put a real damper on enjoying the holidays if you are dealing with digestive discomfort and other symptoms caused by eating too many of the wrong foods.
Promoting Good Gut Health
To keep your digestive system on track while enjoying those holiday specialties and treats here are some suggestions we found.
- Continue to include high fiber foods such as legumes, beans, peas, oats, bananas, berries, asparagus, and leeks in your diet. They may not be part of the Thanksgiving Day dinner, but include them with your other meals whenever you can.
- To boost beneficial bacteria in your gut consider taking probiotic supplements. They are available in health food stores, drug stores and online.
- Minimize the sweets and deserts. Eating a lot of sugar or artificial sweeteners can lead to an imbalance of gut microbes which can cause problems in your digestive system.
- Along with the holiday rush, stress levels at this time of year are on the rise. Managing stress is important for many aspects of health, including gut health. Exercising regularly, sleeping well, and eating a healthy diet can help reduce stress levels.
- Staying hydrated is a simple way to promote a healthy digestive system. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
Special Tip: Bring a Dish to Share
To ensure that your holiday gatherings always have a healthy item to choose from, we recommend that you bring one to share. With all the not-so-healthy choices available, your friends and family, and your gut, will thank you.
