Cookies, Christmas roast, mulled wine & other delicacies are simply part of the holidays - but they can really upset your stomach. However, you can avoid feeling full at Christmas. We'll show you tips against digestive problems.
Avoid feeling full at Christmas - our tips and home remedies
The Christmas holidays can be a real challenge for our gastrointestinal tract. Heartburn, abdominal pain, feelings of fullness, indigestion and bloating are common problems after a heavy meal. Often, the tried and tested digestif then comes to the table. But it should also be known that alcohol is not the healthiest solution to the problem. Therefore, useful home remedies for feelings of fullness at Christmas and how to prevent digestive problems are helpful. Here are our 8 tips:
1. Herbs and spices
Various natural plant compounds can soothe the stomach and relieve discomfort such as bloating and feelings of fullness. These include, for example, caraway, anise and fennel. Accordingly, it is no coincidence that this exact combination is often available as a digestive tea, as it has proven to be the most effective. However, you can also incorporate these spices into your Christmas meal as a hidden home remedy. Other herbs and spices such as coriander, peppermint, sage, cinnamon, rosemary and ginger can also help.
2. Light exercise
After eating, a walk is good for your digestion, as you bring fresh oxygen into your body. This ensures that the stomach and intestines are well supplied with blood and can process the nutrients absorbed. In addition, a relaxing winter walk is a great activity for the whole family. However, too much of a good thing won't help your stomach either. Jogging or similar activities, for example, would be unfavorable immediately after eating. You should wait a few hours for this.
3. Relaxation
Sometimes it is not the rich food that triggers your digestive problems during the Christmas season, but the stress. Therefore, take time for relaxation and recuperation. How about, for example, a yoga session in the morning before all the Christmas hustle and bustle begins? You can find out how to ensure more relaxation and balance during Advent here: Relaxed through the Christmas season.
4. Bitter substances
Bitter substances occur naturally in many foods. Artichokes, coffee or grapefruit are just a few examples that can help you. The secondary plant compounds are said to stimulate the production of bile fluid, increase insulin production, get a sluggish intestine going and promote saliva production. All these effects make bitter substances ideal for helping against digestive problems after Christmas dinner. MILK THISTLE COMPLEX from CLAV provides your body with a lot of bitter substances.
5. Warmth
If you have eaten too much during the Christmas holidays and are now suffering from feelings of fullness or abdominal pain, a hot water bottle or a heated grain pillow can alleviate the symptoms. The warmth has a soothing, relaxing and antispasmodic effect. With a herbal tea, you can combine several effects. The pleasant warmth from within and the soothing plant compounds complement each other perfectly.
6. Good chewing
You make your stomach and intestines' job easier if you chew your food well. Especially when we eat large amounts, as at Christmas, good chewing can be the key to fewer subsequent complaints. If you often suffer from heartburn, then this tip is generally, but especially for Christmas gluttony, worth gold. It is best to chew each bite at least 10 times before swallowing.
7. Still water
Sometimes it's the little things that have a big benefit. A simple trick is to simply drink still water instead of carbonated drinks. Carbonated drinks put an additional strain on the stomach and can cause heartburn and feelings of fullness.
8. Conscious enjoyment
Christmas is definitely the wrong time for a diet, but you don't have to go completely overboard. Therefore, skip the second helping if you are already full. Take enough time while eating to enjoy the delicious aromas and feel satiety. Plan for coffee and cake after a rich lunch or a delicious dessert after dinner. The same applies to alcohol. Enjoyment in small quantities can be well tolerated by your gastrointestinal tract. Too large quantities, however, are unfavorable for your digestion and your general health.
Conclusion: Christmas without feeling full
With a few home remedies, bloating, heartburn and abdominal pain after Christmas dinner can be avoided. Plant substances from spices and herbs, bitter substances, exercise and warmth can help. But also less stress through relaxation, enjoyment in a tolerable amount and still water can have a positive effect on digestion. We wish you and your digestion relaxing holidays.
All our articles are written by nutritionists and checked for content quality by experts.
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