Top tips for avoiding digestive woes this Christmas

No-one wants to be experiencing bloating or acid reflux over the festive season, but with a change in routine, different foods and more alcohol that’s often what happens.

So, follow my festive eating tips to keep your digestive system happy this Christmas and New Year.

1. Eat slowly and really chew your food well. This makes sure the food is as broken down as possible before it enters the rest of the digestive system, giving it less work to do.
   
   
2. Sit at a table to eat, this improves your posture and makes it easier for your food to move down the digestive tract than if you are slumped on the sofa or over a laptop.
   
   
3. Practice mindful eating. Take in the smell, look and texture of the food whilst you are preparing it, think about what it will taste like when you start eating it. This helps to prepare your digestive system for food. If you aren’t cooking the food yourself, start thinking about food 20 minutes before you eat. Once your meal arrives, continue this focus on your food and don’t get distracted by the TV or your phone.
   
   
4. Don’t eat when you are feeling stressed, your digestive system works much better when you are relaxed. Even taking a few rounds of deep breaths before you eat can help.
   
   
5. Keep an eye on portion sizes. We often eat much bigger meals over the festive season and this can put extra strain on your digestive system.
   
   
6. If you get acid reflux, check if any of the trigger foods like tomatoes, chocolate, alcohol or peppermint make it worse for you. If they do, you definitely want to avoid these foods close to bedtime.
   
   
7. Keep well hydrated. This helps food move through the digestive system. It can also help to reduce the effects of alcohol if you are drinking.
   
   
8. Go for a walk. This helps food move through the digestive system, reduces stress and helps burn off that mince pie!

Content Disclaimer

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog  are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this blog. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this blog. Emma Belton Nutrition disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this blog.