The Christmas holidays, family and company events, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve parties are coming up. Even those who otherwise try to eat healthily and moderately throughout the year can be tempted by the delicious snacks. There’s no need to deny yourself gastronomic delights, but by following a few basic rules, you can also keep an eye on your digestion and avoid stomach upsets caused by excess calorie intake.
“Just one more bite…”
How many times do we hear the above phrase during the festive season, when we visit relatives and friends! For many people, cooking and eating are a way of communicating love, so refusing to do so can cause resentment and disappointment. This can be avoided by taking small tasters of food, choosing more nutrient-rich vegetables, giving preference to proteins and avoiding excess carbohydrates. It’s also important to keep our daily routine, so do not skip a meal just to arrive at a party on an empty stomach to eat more.
Preparing at home, more consciously
If we choose which items we put in our shopping basket when we go Christmas shopping, if we arrive with a pre-written shopping list that doesn’t leave us with shelves full to the brim, we’ve already done a lot to avoid over-consumption. Instead of sweets and candies, you can also choose fresh or dried fruits and fiber-rich snacks for children. When preparing the festive lunch menu, keep in mind basic nutritional advice: avoid fat, reduce salt, try to eat whole grains, high protein dairy products and always drink enough fluids.
Healthy microbiome
Advances in science and modern technologies have allowed us to learn more about the functioning of our own bodies. In recent years, we have heard more and more about how a healthy gut, a well-functioning microbiome – our internal ecosystem, the collection of microbes and bacteria living inside us – has an impact not only on our digestive system, but also on the functioning of our whole body. A diet that supports the microbiome can reduce inflammation, affect hormone production, nutrient uptake and fat storage. However, added sugars, trans-fats, refined carbohydrates, vegetable oils can inhibit this process, so it is essential to use natural foods to promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
Exercise also helps
If you can, look for small-scale producers near you who offer free-range meat, eggs, vegetables and fruit from small family farms, and prepare a festive lunch or dinner. Let’s try to prepare for Advent and the winter holidays in harmony, as stress can interfere with our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections. Exercise, especially if done in clean, healthy air, even as part of a family outing or hiking, can naturally reduce inflammation, boost circulation, balance hormones and, last but not least, bring joyful, intimate moments for the whole family, brightening up the holidays.
Take care of your health
HR-PHARMA in Szeged offers several packages that provide up-to-date information on the current state of your digestive system. Here are some of our diagnostic services: