9 Tips for Happier Holidays for Clients with Food Intolerances
Turkey with all the trimmings. Latkes with applesauce and sour cream. Gingerbread cookies galore. Pair all that heavier-than-usual food with travel and family time and you have a recipe for digestive discomfort.*
The most wonderful time of year can be a challenge for those living with food intolerances. Since that includes more than 20% of the population, chances are good that your clients could use some help maintaining healthy digestion during the holidays.*
Read on for a list of simple, helpful tips for a healthy, happy digestive system, plus suggested Enzyme Science formulas to keep in stock at your practice throughout the holiday season.
- Maintain normalcy whenever possible.
If you run three times a week at home or practice yoga daily, do it during the holidays. Keep drinking plenty of water, getting at least seven hours of restful sleep and choosing nutrient-dense, unprocessed foods for most meals and snacks. Your GI system is a creature of habit, so try to keep up with your usual eating habits as often as possible.
- Start the day with healthy habits.
In most families, celebrations happen later in the day, so maintain your usual morning routine. Eat a healthy breakfast, go for a walk, get some sunshine and fresh air, etc. If you plan to indulge later in the day, prioritize fiber – including vegetables – plus lean protein for satiety at breakfast.
- Keep the (inner) peace.
That gut-brain connection is strong, as your everyday stressors like to remind you. The holidays are often joyful but chaotic. Financial concerns, overstimulation and changes in normal routines can leave you feeling “off.” Find ways to keep calm and carry on, from journaling and yoga to solo neighborhood walks or even laughing with family.
- Fill up on fiber.
Vacation constipation is annoying but happens on occasion. Eating adequate amounts of fiber (about 25 grams a day for women and 38 grams for men) can help maintain regularity and promote satiety. Since it’s only found in plants, make sure you’re eating plenty of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, etc.
- Speak up about dietary restrictions.
Don’t worry about being a bother if eating certain foods gives you occasional heartburn, gas, bloating and constipation.* The people you love want the best for you – and that means feeling your best. But do try to tip off the host before the big event, to avoid adding more stress to their plate.
- Be the host with the most.
If you’re the one hosting, do unto others. Provide ingredient lists for each dish, keep labels or packaging from store-bought items and make sure that everyone on the guest list has something they’re able to safely eat. And keep your bathroom cabinet stocked with formulas for occasional heartburn, gas and bloating, etc.*
- Slow down and sit down.
Even the most mindful eater can struggle during the holiday season, when festivities often involve grazing or snacking while talking, standing and drinking. Do your best to find a quiet corner to eat and make a plate to be aware of what you’re eating – especially when the buffet is filled with rich dishes or there’s a trendy charcuterie table. Chew your food thoroughly to give your digestive enzymes time to do their work. Critical Digestion™ is our maximum strength digestive enzyme formula with 1 billion CFU guaranteed-potency probiotics.*
- BYO to maintain digestive comfort.
Offer to bring a dish that you know you can eat. This way, you won’t go hungry or be forced to eat something that could give you discomfort later on. Let the host know, and bring a serving utensil, too. If you’re not sure what’s on the menu, bring Intolerance Complex™ with targeted enzymes for all major food intolerances.*
- Celebrate for just one meal or one day.
Let’s face it: Holiday treats are tasty! But when you celebrate a holiday for multiple days, it’s harder to maintain healthy digestion. So enjoy those indulgences, bring along your digestive enzymes for support – and get back to (mostly) healthy eating the next day.*
Stock up on Enzyme Science products for healthy digestion and food intolerances.*
