How do you indulge during the festive season and on Christmas day in a healthy way, without feeling guilty, bloated and heavy afterward? I am going to let you in on a secret. I never deprive myself, in fact I “indulge” like most but with forethought and a contingency plan.

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In this podcast I share with you ways in which I keep the digestive system humming along during the festive season. They are simple tips but impactful. This podcast will also serve the person who is currently on a health and wellness plan.

You see If we relied on a “quiet time” during the year to start our health programs we would never take action. During the year we are faced with many “special” occasions, from birthdays, weddings, religious celebrations, Christmas in July, bachelor and bachelorette parties and the list goes on.

Instead of waiting for the light to go green or culling your health program altogether why not implement some of these easy steps and have it all? Festive fun and fantastic health without the brain fog, bloated belly, constipation and tired soul.

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Show Notes

• • Schedule your online consultation 
  • BetterMe tea

Full Transcript

Welcome to another episode of Love & Guts. Im going to go solo with you.

If you have no idea who I am, I am a naturopath and nutritionist with an intense interest in bowel movements and one who specialises in all things digestive health. So why am I flying solo you ask?

I often get asked how do you indulge on Christmas day in a healthy way, without feeling guilty, bloated and heavy afterward? I am going to let you in on a secret. I never deprive myself, in fact I “indulge” like most but with forethought and a contingency plan.

Let’s be honest though, overeating is overeating and I have done a fair share of that on Christmas day too which no amount of walking, digestive enzymes or apple cider vinegar can resolve.

Today I am going to share with you ways in which I keep the digestive system humming along during the festive season. They are simple tips but impactful. This podcast will also serve the person who is currently on a health and wellness plan. You see If we relied on a  “quiet time” during the year to start our health programs we would never take action.

During the year we are faced with many “special” occasions, from birthdays, weddings, religious celebrations, Christmas in July, bachelor and bachelorette parties and the list goes on. Instead of waiting for the light to go green or culling your health program altogether why not implement some of these easy steps and have it all? Festive fun and fantastic health without the brain fog, bloated belly, constipation and tired soul.

Here are some of my tried and tested festive season hacks

Get clear and have gratitude

Write your top three health goals down or document these in a phone app such as KYO or five minute journal. If so inclined you can create a vision board which includes what life would look like if you achieved these goals.

For example if I resolve the excessive bloating and wind, I will feel sexier and more comfortable in my skin, and more inclined to be intimate with my partner regularly.

Choose a photo or draw a picture of you feeling and looking confident and sexy…whatever that looks like to you.

The key is to have the visual evoke an emotion every time you see it.

And then every morning or last thing at night express gratitude for the end result as if you have already attained it.

For example – I am so grateful for this healthy, sexy and energetic body that likes to connect and experience my life.

Research shows that those who express gratitude tend to be more energetic, hopeful and happier and grateful happy people are more motivated to perform, exercise more often and take care their health.

In regards to your vision board, make sure you place it somewhere where you can see it daily. I have my vision board at the exit of my bathroom door, where I see it every day.

Self Talk

Before you go out, think about how much and what you would like to eat and drink at the party or get together.

For example I may tell myself I will only have one glass of red wine and the main meal tonight.

I find that if I do not mentally prepare myself I consume food and alcohol unconsciously and in excess.

Declare it out loud to yourself or to someone.

Food hacks

Make and bring your own food.

Impress your guests with healthy dips, desserts and salads. My favourites are the Sticky date pudding,  Roast zahini dip and Gut loving cabbage salad. That can be found on my website

The satisfying formula.

Fill your plate with a palm portion of protein, two tablespoons of healthy fats such as olive oil, avocado and three handfuls of vegetables.

This formula will help you feel full and satisfied, thus less likely to overeat.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Add some apple cider vinegar to your salad to support your blood sugar levels and satiety.

I also pop 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar into 1/2 cup boiled water and 1/4 cup room temperature water into a large glass and chug this down at least 5-10 minutes before my first and maybe all of my three main meals during  the day.

An expensive glass of red wine.

If dining out choose an expensive glass of red wine so that you are less likely to drink copious amounts. Organic or preservative free wherever possible. I aim for no more than one to two glasses.

H20.

Drink two glasses of purified water before you arrive and make sure your first beverage is water at the venue instead of alcohol. Why not bring a few bottles of sparkling natural mineral water and limes so that you can quench your thirst and deter well meaning friends from filling your glass up with alcohol.

Fast Or Break the fast

This will depend on the person but if you have a Christmas lunch to go to, which you know will be rather indulgent then consider fasting until lunch. I like having a cup of bone broth for breakfast until the Christmas degustation at my folks house begins.

If fasting is not for you and you know that if you go without breakfast you are more inclined to over-consume during lunch or if fasting leaves you feeling flat and out of sorts don’t do it.

Instead “chew” on a smoothie that will satiate and stabilise your blood glucose so that you do not arrive at lunch starving and more inclined to unconsciously reach for everything that comes into your vision.

Make sure your smoothie has a dose of quality, clean protein, a serving of fibrous fruit such as berries or vegetables such as spinach or cucumber and a dose of fat such as coconut cream or coconut milk without the thickeners or Almond milk without carrageenan. And again…chew don’t wolf

After indulgence digestive aid

I have a cup or two of BetterMe tea. This helps me have a healthy, well formed poo the next day. We all know how light, energetic and even euphoric that can feel.

BetterMe Tea is an all organic herbal tea blend I created to help encourage daily bowel movements and to reduce common, uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as excessive gas and bloating. It contains Ginger root, Aniseed, Liquorice root, Cayenne pepper.

You can grab a bag on my website lyndagriparic.com . Go to products page

Magnesium

I take a full dose of practitioner only magnesium bisglycinate powder with a large glass of water in the evening (if you have room in your belly).

Generally 30-40 minutes after dinner and not too close to bedtime so that I do not disrupt my sleep with multiple loo visits. Magnesium bisglycinate is a highly bioavailable magnesium which helps support bowel movement regularity and stress.

Considering the festive season can generate emotional and physical stress and stress can disrupt digestive function and affect our mood and ability to make better choices for our health, I think dosing up on magnesium is going to be supportive move.

A healthy “next day”.

In the next solo podcast I am going to arm you with how you can create a healthy albeit fun day post celebration to help you avoid feeling heavy, bloated, lethargic and flat mood.

Or to help you mop up the damage you may have momentarily caused.

As an added bonus you may even stop fearing indulgent celebrations moving forward because you have confidence in your ability to spring back and re-focus on your big goal…optimal health.

Get Talking.

Make an effort to talk to people so that you forget you are surrounded by platters of treats, dips and bread. If it feels right let people know that you are on a health program. Say it confidently and with conviction. Many may try to corrupt you but remember that it is only you that can create change and get the results you desire.

If someone in your life continues to challenge your health goals then consider distancing yourself. It’s futile to compromise your health goals for others when the only thing you and everyone around you stand to gain is better health and a happier you. After all it is only YOU that has to mop the damage up and start again.

“Your choice of people to associate with both personally and business-wise is one of the most important choices you make. If you associate with turkeys, you will never fly with the eagles.” Brian Tracy

Get Moving.

Whether you are the host or a guest at the party, get amongst physical activity. Move the body. Instigate a ball game, board game, a swim or paddle board. You get the picture. Occupy your time with things that move the body, the digestive system and engage the mind.

After the party, go for a walk around the block. Better still, recruit another person to come with you. Guaranteed there will be someone at the party, feeling rather full and dusty who would be super keen to take you up on it.

Be the host.

Why not be the host, then you can create an environment which is conducive to your goals. For example host brunch or lunch at the beach or park with planned sporting activities, or plan a degustation with loads of healthy and delicious fodder:

Make fun plans for the following day.

Organize an activity with friends or a loved one for the following morning so that you have something and someone to commit to and to be less dusty for. I like to schedule in an early morning yoga class with my partner and or friend followed by wholesome breakfast or brunch (depending on how full I still feel) and then an ocean dip.

Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Love this quote by Charlie Batch. If you want to improve the quality of your health and encourage healthier bowel movements you need to put the effort into diet, lifestyle and mindset.

So that’s it from me. Make sure you tune in for the next solo podcast where I dive into What To Do When Constipation Strikes Unexpectedly, the Acute Hacks and How To Have A Healthy “Next Day” Post Celebration.