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Tips for Over Indulgences in the Festive Season!

The holidays are officially here, and with that comes a multitude of festivities and fun. But the holiday season is also known for having its fair share of indulgences (more often overindulgences!), from rich foods to alcoholic beverages to too many late nights. So, how do you stay healthy and prevent overeating?

Here’s the thing: It’s all about balance. I like to practice the 80/20 rule, especially during the holidays. That means that 80% of the time, you’ll be eating the things you know are good for you and spending the other 20% of the time having fun and indulging.

But what if you tip over that 20%? What overindulgence will destroy you?

Well – whatever it might be, when you are feeling overfull and struggling to digest, here’s what you can do!

Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is most likely something you have hidden in your cabinet or can pick up at most supermarkets.  ACV will get hydrochloric acid production going in the stomach, which will help you digest your food faster, so you don’t have to have it sit like a rock in your stomach!
If you know that you struggle with digestion anyway and you don’t have an ulcer, this is something that you can try with regular meals to see if it will help too!
I recommend taking 1-2 tablespoons in 150ml of water before your meal to help digestion. If you forget to drink it before your meal, it’s not too late! You can still experience the relieving benefits of drinking it after you’re stuffed.

Have Ginger On Hand

Ginger is another helpful food to have on hand at all times, not just during the holiday season!  You can peel most of it and keep it in the freezer to use as needed, it’s much easier to grate!
All you need is a little bit, then you put it in a mug, fill it with hot water, steep it, and drink.
Alternatively, you can also use ground ginger, cumin, coriander, and fennel. Add these spices to a pan and add water.  Bring them to a boil for 5 minutes and then steep them for another 5 minutes!  Then it’s ready to drink!

Pass the Brussels Sprouts

So, what is the healthiest dish at Christmas? My answer is Brussels Sprouts! Most of us aren’t eating brussels sprouts regularly, but they are a staple winter food! Brussel Sprouts might come with a reputation to make you a bit farty.. due to all the fibre they are loaded with, which our western diet is often lacking.
Fibre helps to keep your bowels regular, and sprouts are full of it!
The fibre makes Brussel sprouts a low glycaemic veggie, and are ideal for maintaining blood sugar levels within normal range, even supporting weight loss.
The fibre also helps to feed our gut bugs and they in-turn our overall health!
Sprouts are great, healthy food to include in your spread because they have double the amount of vitamin K, which is fat-soluble and helps bone growth, maintenance, and blood clotting.
They’re also high in vitamin c and folic acid.  I like to brown them in grass-fed butter and walnuts and then roast them. Then, for extra flavour, you can add high-quality bacon.

If you’ve never been keen on this underrated vegetable – try roasting them with balsamic vinegar!  You might change your mind….

Use Charcoal After a Long Night Out…

Christmas and New Year for most people will always include alcohol!  I am not a big drinker – (it really doesn’t agree with me at all) but I know how easy it can be when you are having fun to have that extra glass of wine or finish the night with a brandy…

But the next day you can feel washed out and good for nothing, with a sore head and a bad belly!

This is where charcoal comes in!  It is a great toxin remover – and it can sober you pretty fast!  One option is to take 2 or 3 capsules of activated charcoal after your big night out…  take them with lots of water (as they can make you constipated!) and they should soak up some of the alcohol and maybe you won’t feel so bad the following day!

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