'Tis the season for indulgence, festivities and …bloating. During the festive season, it’s hard not to resist the seasonal mince pies and Baileys hot chocolates, which we know will disappear from the shelves soon until next December.
How many times have you considered not having a treat but then heard the words ‘but it’s Christmas’ pop up in your head. The most common cause of bloating is overindulgence which can also lead to feeling sluggish, guilty and gaining unnecessary weight.
We’ve put together our top tips on how to avoid the Christmas bloat so you can start off 2021 feeling healthy and happy:
Don’t deprive yourself
Don’t skip breakfast in the morning even if you think it might be better to create a calorie deficit. Once you get to Christmas dinner feeling ravenous, you’ll eat quicker than normal and it’ll be harder to register what you’re eating which will lead to overeating.
Eat slowly
It’s easy to wolf down those delicious roast potatoes and turkey (or nut roast) smothered in gravy, chewing each bite will allow you to savour the flavours, help the food digest properly and recognise you’re full quicker.
Don’t overfill your plate
You know the saying ‘your eyes are bigger than your belly’… It’s easy to fill your plate with extras of all your favourites and even more difficult to leave leftovers on your plate. Try filling your plate with a normal-sized portion and having a short break before deciding if you want seconds.
Keep hydrated
While it’s tempting to reach for the glass of bubbles or even sparkling water, this can introduce extra gas to your system and increase the feelings of bloat so remember to drink lots of still water. Herbal teas such as ginger or peppermint are also a great way to beat the bloat.
Most importantly, remember to still enjoy yourself… It is Christmas after all!