How to beat the Christmas bloat
‘Tis the season of overindulging, so here are 6 ways to stop boating - other than living in elasticated pyjama bottoms.
Let’s face it, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without ending the day slumped on the sofa having changed into your pyjamas because you can’t deal with your jeans digging into your stomach anymore.
Of course, it’s no secret that eating our body weight in pigs in blankets, stuffing and Yorkshire puddings washed down with a glass (or two) of fizz will leave us feeling sluggish and bloated for hours. (Or, at least until someone brings the cheeseboard and After Eights out)
But it doesn’t have to be this way. There’s nothing worse than being dressed up and feeling like you have to hide your food baby, or you are in need a nap. As always, we’ve got you covered.
ADD A SQUEEZE OF LEMON
Post-Christmas dinner bloat preparations begin as soon as you wake up. Make sure to have a glass of warm water first thing in the morning with a squeeze of lemon juice. The acidity of the lemon and the warm water gets your gut moving and encourages bowel movement.
As well as in your gin and tonic, lemon has another place in your Christmas dinner. Try squeezing a little lemon juice on your turkey as it helps start the breakdown of the protein.
CONSIDER YOUR DRINK
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! When you sit back, have a cosy catchup and some festive fun with a few bevs with your family and friends but if make sure to avoid certain types of alcohol you can stop the bloat.
Swap particularly fizzy alcohol, such as Champagne, beer and Buck’s Fizz alongside carbonated drinks for wine, squash and teas. Try to drink plenty of water to help digest your food too.
GET MOVING
Ok, so we don’t expect you to do any intense HITT workout on Christmas Day – especially not after your Christmas dinner.
If you go on just a 20-minute walk around the block this will encourage the digestion of your food and stimulate your bowels. Plus, fresh air will help to blow those cobwebs away, too.
HOT WATER BOTTLE
A hot water bottle can also help to ease digestive discomfort. The warmth will relax your gut muscles, allowing any trapped gas to move through your intestines and the pressure of the weight will encourage this process too. Plus, it will help to keep you cosy, too.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
We all love a hearty Christmas dinner, but sometimes we may eat too much and feel uncomfortably full after our meal. Even though we know you’ve waited all year for this dinner, try taking your time with your food and paying attention when you notice that you are starting to feel full.
Give yourself a little break to digest and come back to the rest of your meal when you are ready to eat and enjoy it again.
HERBAL TEAS
Instead of opting for a coffee after your Christmas dinner, go for a peppermint tea as peppermint has relaxant and antispasmodic properties and can help reduce bloating.
Also, ginger tea is the perfect antidote for indigestion, it helps to soothe an upset stomach and helps with digestive cramps and bloating.
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