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Tips to Ward Off Holiday Heartburn
Special to The Truth
Lights, music, family,
boughs of holly -- the holidays are known for many pleasant
sights and sensations. Unfortunately, seasonal stress, odd
schedules and overindulgence in rich foods can mean an upset
stomach, heartburn and indigestion for some celebrants.
Take steps to make the
holidays more pleasant on your stomach:
• Seek balance: Eating a
balanced diet is a key factor in preventing indigestion,
constipation and other digestive problems, but accomplishing
this goal may be a bit trickier during the holiday party
season.
Drink plenty of water, hit
the veggie tray before the cheese tray, and be sure to
incorporate fruit, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and
low-fat dairy into your other, less festive meals.
• Enjoy slowly: With so
many terrific foods on the menu, why rush? Enjoy meals
slowly. You’ll be more likely to practice portion control
this way. Additionally, digestion will be easier if you
don’t make your body process too much at once.
• Reduce stress: Stress
can manifest itself through the digestive system in the form
of heartburn. So avoid letting the holidays become an added
source of stress. Carve out a few moments daily throughout
the season to relax.
• Cook smart: Certain
herbs are well known to aid digestion or settle an upset
stomach. Counteract the effects of all those rich foods and
drinks by incorporating basil, dill, mint, cilantro and
ginger into holiday cooking.
• Listen to your body:
Symptoms are usually an expression of the body’s attempt to
correct an imbalance. Instead of masking symptoms such as
acid indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, heartburn or a
hangover, try a homeopathic medicine that works with the
body to alleviate discomfort.
For example, Boiron makes
dissolvable pellets called Nux vomica for symptomatic
relief. The sweet-tasting pellets melt in your mouth without
water, and won’t bother an already upset stomach. Be
attentive to the body’s signals and use it at the first sign
of symptoms. For a natural indigestion remedy or natural
hangover remedy, try it after too much coffee, alcohol,
spicy or rich food, or when feeling drowsy after a big meal.
More information can be found at www.BoironUSA.com.
• Kitchen cabinet
remedies: Your kitchen cabinet contains an arsenal of
remedies, say experts.
“Take two tablespoons of
organic apple cider vinegar before eating to help with
digestion. You can also try drinking a cup of organic herbal
tea, such as chamomile, dandelion or burdock, with fresh
lemon juice after meals to help with liver detox and promote
relaxation,” says celebrity chef and culinary nutritionist
Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP.
More healthy eating tips
from Valpone can be found at www.TheHealthyApple.com.
• Exercise: Regular
exercise benefits a healthy digestive system, so get plenty
of it. Just be sure to avoid anything strenuous directly
after a heavy holiday meal, which can actually put digestion
on hold by redirecting blood away from your digestive tract
to support the heart and muscles, according to Harvard
Medical School.
This holiday season, keep
your body in balance with natural remedies to treat and
reduce common digestive symptoms.
Courtesy StatePoint
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